9 Amazing Weekend Getaways from NYC
Some may love staying in the city on the weekends, but waking up to rolling fields, seaside vistas, and fresh-from-the-farm cuisine is not to be missed. Here are nine spots within a few hours drive of NYC that are well worth any bridge-and-tunnel traffic you may have to brave to make it there.
The Inn at Windmill Lane
With just seven meticulously curated suites and three private cottages, this exclusive inn, tucked away behind privet hedges in Amagansett, is the epitome of high style and relaxed serenity.
What’s new: Celebrate a big birthday or special occasion with your whole family or a group of friends in the new 21 House, a 3,800 square foot, four-bedroom private home featuring a dining room, living room, and full gourmet chef’s kitchen, complete with a grilling patio. Plus, the house even has its own spa treatment room.
What not to miss: Not interested in braving the restaurant waitlist? Inn guests can order directly from top Hamptons restaurants via an in-room iPad. The Inn will re-plate the food on beautiful chinaware and serve it at the guest’s door for an intimate dinner. Beach-bound visitors can hop on a bike from the fleet of Bowery Bicycles available and take a gourmet beach picnic basket.
Rate: Starts at $935 a night.
Winvian Farm
No two rooms are alike here and there’s no fussy chintz to be found either: 18 individually-designed cottages, each crafted by a different architect, are set on 113 acres of tranquil farmland in Litchfield, Connecticut, including a 5,000 square foot sun-drenched spa.
What’s new: Take a dip in the new 40-foot swimming pool overlooking the rolling farmland—replete with pigs, sheep, chickens, organic gardens, and greenhouses.
What not to miss: Thirty-five feet above the forest floor, the woodsy Treehouse cottage is worth a visit. Interested in aviation? Check out the Helicopter cottage—featuring a full-size chopper in the middle of the living room. Don’t forget to visit The Kitchen at the 18th-century farmhouse; chef Chris Eddy’s farm-to-table creations are truly a highlight. Before bed, indulge in the ultimate summer ritual: roasting s’mores around a bonfire.
Rate: Starts at $459 a night.
White Barn Inn
The quaint bustle of Kennebunkport is just a few minutes away from this 26-room Relais & Chateaux property, where the look is sun-drenched American elegance. Three waterfront cottages are particularly special, each with private outdoor spaces with views of the Kennebunk River.
What’s new: Now open all year round, you can order food from The Bistro (the Inn’s more casual dining option) and have it delivered.
What not to miss: Occupying two restored barns from the 1800s, rough-hewn beams, crisp white linens, and floor-to-ceiling picture windows complement an ever-changing, locally-sourced menu by newly-appointed Chef Derek Bissonette.
Rate: Starts at $515 a night.
The Press Hotel in Portland, ME
Each of this new hotel’s 110 guest rooms draws inspiration from old-time newspaper journalism, featuring vintage-style desks and an interior color scheme that reflects the color of newspaper. (Think black and white marble accented by stained walnut.) The historic building—housed the Portland Press Herald from 1923-2010—offers oversized windows in every room for abundant natural light and fresh Maine air.
What’s new: The hotel just opened in May, making it a fresh destination. The 1,100 square foot Penthouse Suite is a splurge, featuring a huge roof patio with views of the Portland Harbor, Old Port District, and surrounding islands.
What not to miss: Admire the unique, locally produced artwork throughout the hotel, including a floating vintage typewriter installation and letterpress woodwork behind the check-in desk. Even the wallpaper lining the hallways showcases headlines from the Portland Press Herald.
Rate: Starts at $269.
Mayflower Grace
This 30-room getaway in quiet Washington, Connecticut, has recently undergone hotel-wide upgrades, courtesy of the new London-based owners, Grace Hotels. The classic, shingled country estate is set amidst 57 rolling acres of pond and woodland. Rooms feature luxury details such as four-poster beds, Frette linens, house-made granola, and a variety of pillows and in-room fragrance choices.
What’s new: For the most customized spa experience, try the new Elemental Wellness Therapies. After filling out a brief questionnaire to determine your unique biochemical needs, your therapist will select the appropriate marine plants, medicinal clays, organic herbs, and essential oils tailored just for you.
What not to miss: At 20,000 square feet, the Spa House is a divine haven of relaxation. Just an hour spent on one of their chenille-covered lounge chairs can erase months of stress—this is why in-the-know New Yorkers flock here for weekend detoxes. Meditate in the spa labyrinth or take a stroll and recite sonnets in the Shakespeare Garden.
Rate: Starts at $510 a night.
The Chequit
Refurbished and reopened earlier this year, the 37-room inn (once a summertime haven for high rollers like Sinatra) is situated on high ground, offering visitors sweeping views of the waters around Shelter Island. Each bright, airy room is stocked with 400-thread count sheets, Turkish towels, sun hats, and C.O. Bigelow bath products.
What’s new: The Inn’s Red Maple restaurant, named after the enormous tree at the center of the outdoor terrace, offers a seasonal menu of both small plates and heartier meals. Sip your evening drink on the stunning porches; both wine and beer are available on tap.
What not to miss: Go home with some trendy surfer clothes: the retailer Wampum has an outpost in the hotel during the summer, featuring exclusive items made just for The Chequit. If you enjoy a good lie-in, opt for breakfast in bed, and your fresh choices will arrive at your door in a delightful little bag.
Rate: Starts at $195.
Gilded
Recently reopened after extensive renovations by new owners (now part of the Lark Hotel group), this 17-room hotel is located in the heart of historic Newport, Rhode Island, drawing inspiration from the glamorous eras of Deco, Beaux Arts, and Rococo. Expect ornate light fixtures, mirrored surfaces, gold accents, and rich, saturated colors like gold, fuchsia, and purple, alongside graphic, peacock-y patterns on rugs, walls, and linens.
What’s new: Enjoy the billiards room, featuring a black velvet and white lacquer pool table. A hushed courtyard houses an elegant croquet practice green. Be sure to make time for leisurely “G and Tea” sessions on the deck.
What not to miss: Stock up on your preppy basics from Vineyard Vines, the official outfitter of the hotel—guests receive an exclusive discount. Also, wake up with an appetite: their extensive “small plate” breakfast selection is a must-try.
Rate: Starts at $169.
Hidden Pond Maine
Tucked among balsam and birch groves not far from the bustle of Kennebunkport, sit 20 perfectly appointed bungalow cottages that look like they came straight from the most exquisite home décor catalog.
What’s new: This is the second year that the “farm-to-fork” Earth restaurant has been helmed by Chef Justin Walker, who relies heavily on the freshest, most local ingredients—including fresh lobster from his father-in-law’s boat and goat milk ice cream produced using milk from the Walker Family Farm. Earlier this summer, Hidden Pond opened a second dining shed, accommodating up to 12 people—perfect for private family celebrations.
What not to miss: Experience a treatment at the Tree Spa, featuring a trio of tree-top treatment rooms connected by a catwalk woven through the trees. Treatments utilize ingredients picked fresh from Hidden Pond’s garden—including rosemary, mint, and lavender. Explore the garden yourself and pick what you like, including flowers to bring back to your cottage, or stop by the farm stand for pre-picked items.
Rate: Starts at $779.
The Arnold House
This 10-room inn, opened in the heart of the Catskills by husband-and-wife duo Kirsten and Sims Foster, is a nostalgic throwback to simpler times (with no flat-screen TVs or Bluetooth stereos) while providing little luxuries like Sferra towels and robes, Pendleton blankets, and Malin + Goetz bath products.
What’s new: In the nearby town of Callicoon, known for its great Saturday farmers’ market, enjoy different concerts every Wednesday night. If you stay at the Arnold House for two nights during the week (including the Wednesday night of the performance), they’ll provide you with folding chairs and a picnic basket filled with fried chicken, mom’s potato salad, a slice of pie, and a growler filled with a local brew.
What not to miss: Engage in creating your own dinner! Guests can join the chef as he searches for inspiration among the fresh produce for his nightly specials, and even assist him in harvesting the food or doing some prep work!
Rate: Starts at $169.
