If you want to get off the grid, you can safely unplug, unwind, and recharge in any of these chic retreats in the Northeast.
I suggest you look, book, and go ASAP, as domestic travel is off-the-chains, and boutique hotels are busting at the seams. Also, consider these iconic spots for top leaf-peeping come fall. These oases are as evocative in summer as in winter and every season in between.
New York - Lake Placid Lodge
Besides its glorious mountains, the iconic Lake Placid Lodge in Lake Placid, New York, is most known for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Therefore, winter sports enthusiasts abound.
However, popular activities rotate seasonally. In the winter, guests can partake in unique snow-driven activities like dog sled rides on the lake, Olympic Oval ice skating, skiing, and snow bonfires. In spring and fall, guests can go whitewater rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, boating, and practically anything mother nature allows.
The fun is for our furry friends, and the Lake Placid Lodge is dog-friendly, as guests can bring up two dogs in individual cabins and have accessible rooms. The spacious suites on-site with natural wooden beams complement the view of the expansive lake.
Food enthusiasts also descend en masse. The two dining options on the property are Artisans, offering a seasonal menu and sprawling views of Whiteface Mountain and the Lake below. The more casual Maggie’s Pub is a homey choice for drinks and quality comfort food. If you are hunting for something extra special, make a reservation in their wine cellar. All on-site dining is exclusive for lodge guests only.
Lake Placid Lodge is perfect for travelers who relish that delicate balance of rustic and chic outdoor activities and indoor decadence.
New York - Troutbeck
In Amenia, New York, the Troutbeck is an excellent getaway for those looking to escape neighboring cities. Amenia is a quaint town ideally situated between Albany and New York City.
The Troutbeck's decor in this chic boutique is minimalistic yet elegant. Suites are equipped with spacious white and marble bathrooms, and living and sleeping areas are awash in earth tones that lend themselves to lots of natural light.
The natural bounty beautifully complements the Troutbeck estate's design: 250 acres of running streams, beautiful bridges, and nature begging guests to explore.
Upon arrival, guests can dive into yoga, pilates, and guided meditation. If you want a more active approach, trails are open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Fly fishing and skiing are heavily favored in the opposing seasons.
The nearby Mohawk Mountain is excellent for skiers and tubers of any level. If you need speed, the Lime Rock Racetrack is also nearby.
With COVID-19, Troutbeck has taken extra precautions, especially with dining. Tables are appropriately spaced beyond the mandated amount, all areas have air filtration systems, and guests must wear masks before dining to keep patrons safe.
The Troutbeck restaurant sports sleek black furnishings and stone accents indoors. However, dining is best experienced on deck in cool weather with heat lamps and sheepskins.
Vermont - The Pitcher Inn
The Pitcher Inn is a short drive from Vermont's iconic Sugarbush Ski and Golf Resort. It has long attracted guests from up and down the East Coast searching for top-notch skiing in the East. They also offer zip-lining, mountain biking, and golfing.
Rooms at The Pitcher Inn are the perfect mix of historic, eclectic, cozy, and authentic, as no two rooms are alike. All rooms do come complete with fireplaces.
The Dining Room is a simple yet stylish option for guests, with a large brick fireplace as the centerpiece. The Brook Room is for fine dining, while Tracks is a casual living room-style setup.
Executive Chef Jacob Ennis uses the standout wood-burning fireplace in the wintertime by preparing pork, beef loins, and winter squash, among other things, over the open fire for guests to enjoy, giving them a unique fork-to-fire experience.
If venturing off-site within walking distance, The Inn is across from The Warren Store, a popular stop with everything from a deli, bakery, beer, wine, clothes, and knick-knacks.
If venturing further off, Warren Falls is pitch-perfect for a dip if weather permits.
Home to The Pitcher Inn, Warren, Vermont, is a tiny town, unassuming to some, but is truly rich with breathtaking mountain landscapes and hidden gems of nature. It’s worth a trek out of the way for anyone visiting bigger cities like Manchester, New Hampshire.
Vermont - Twin Farms
The Twin Farms property sits on three hundred acres of land in Barnard, Vermont, just south of Warren, Vermont. Barnard is scattered with mountain peaks such as “The Lookout” and “Delectable Mountain” for people to come and admire the scenery.
Within proximity of the Twin Farms property, there are three carefully designed golf courses, Long Trail Brewery, and shops for handmade gifts. However, many more opportunities for fun await their active visitors.
Guests can take advantage of the widespread acreage of Twin Farms in warm weather with bee tours, picnicking, or hiking. Fishing and canoeing are also offered for those who love being in and on the water. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice skating are offered in winter.
Twin Farms strives to promote feelings of well-being while there. Guests can unwind in any season by partaking in Japanese Furo or getting treatment, both available at The Bridge House Spa.
Twin Farms embodies five-star luxury and nature for guests needing to unplug and rest. There are twenty unique accommodation options to choose from on-site. Depending on your style and size of the party, choose from the bright and chic lodge or Moroccan-themed meadow cottage.
Twin Farms is an adult-only property, making it a genuinely sophisticated oasis for tranquility and quiet. The adult-only aspect also makes it a perfect spot for romantic or serene-seeking weekends.
The main house has an elegant dining room if you’re looking to eat out, off-property. Menus are changed daily and season by season; many ingredients that go into their food are locally sourced or grown on-site.
For an intimate dining experience, you can reserve the wine cellar, an experience that includes an array of wine pairings selected from their 15,000-bottle collection.
Maine - The Camden Harbor Inn
The Camden Harbor Inn is a Relais and Chateaux boutique hotel in the harbor town of Camden, Maine, on Penobscot Bay.
Along the water are several nearby quaint seaside villages and islands to explore. Staying on the water, you can also tour any of the ten lighthouses nearby, go on a romantic sightseeing cruise, or go out searching for your own lobsters with a local.
Downtown Camden is walkable from the Inn, granting guests an ideal exploring location. It’s easy to partake in chic boutiques, waterfront restaurants, and galleries such as “Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe” or “The Smiling Cow.” There’s a public beach close to the hotel for people visiting in warmer months.
The Camden Harbor Inn has a rich history and has been a staple in Camden since the late 1800s. The white exterior of the Inn allows it to be seen easily from the harbor through the sails of surrounding ships.
Every room and suite has a different vibe and design, many with harbor or bay views. The Inn accommodations are elevated from your typical hotel experience, featuring feather beds and colorful decor varying from room to room. Each one provides the chicest and deepest of nights of sleep. The Camden Harbor Inn also has private villas if you’re with a larger party or want that extra space or level of decadence.
They also have several special amenities and accommodations for younger guests, from baby to toddler, kids with bedding, special bathrobes and slippers for turndown service, special mocktails, and more, making family vacations much more memorable for youngsters.
The New England charm is also present in Natalie’s Restaurant, their AAA four-diamond restaurant with a wine list of over two hundred bottles and views of the mountains and water. Upon arrival, guests are invited to Natalie’s bar for a glass of sparkling Prosecco.
European owners and hoteliers Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest created a unique and elegant lodging experience, unlike any other region.
Rhode Island - The Vanderbilt
Newport, Rhode Island, is home to the 19th-century style of The Vanderbilt, a charming hotel with growing green ivy on its building and terrace, a draw for visitors.
They’ve managed to savor a historic look while enhancing function, present-day needs, and amenities, as rooms are spacious and timeless.
Kids under twelve can request a teepee for their visits. The concierge can also provide a scavenger hunt, interactive cooking classes, and mommy and spa treatments perfect for quality family time.
For foodies, The Vanderbilt offers five different cooking experiences. Guests can learn to shuck oysters, make pasta, prepare local fish, become grill masters, or explore the culinary world of curry. People looking to enjoy the cuisine and not cook can choose from several tasting menus at Alfred's Table.
Off-property, guests can explore the beauty of Newport captured by its surrounding waters and opulent homes. From glass blowing tours and culinary walking tours to looks inside the mansions of Newport, including The Breakers Vanderbilt mansion itself.
One of the unique experiences for those wanting to explore in style is that guests can take a tour of classic mansions and cottages and cruise Newport in a classic 1920s automobile.
Written by Katie Hulce and Karen Loftus