In a perfect world, you'd be able to drop everything, jump on a plane and take a two-week vacation to an exotic island complete with overwater bungalow. But in your current world, you most likely can only leave the kids/job/gazillion things you're in charge of for a couple of days. The good news is there are plenty of luxurious weekend travel spots to get away to within a not-too-long drive of Bergen County, which means you can steal away for a short time, recharge at a lovely, lavish inn, eat well, and then drive yourself back to reality a few days later. Here are five fabulous ideas to consider stealing away to this spring.
With just eight rooms, a stay at this Relais & Chateaux property feels like you're at a (very wealthy) friend's country house. And that wealthy friend, in this case, would be owner Richard Gere, actually, who bought the property nearly a decade ago. Most of the rooms have Carrara marble bathrooms and radiant floor heating (which means you'll never actually want to leave said bathroom) and several have terraces overlooking the grounds. The food is a big draw here too with acclaimed signature restaurant Campagna churning out modern Italian dishes and more casual rustic fare served at The Barn. To feel better about all that indulging, there's a full schedule of yoga classes each day.
You can be among the first guests to stay at what was the former Inn at Stone Ridge in the Hudson Valley when it opens under new ownership this spring. Its elegant rooms are divided among three houses and decorated with a mix of vintage and modern pieces, featuring Kiehl's products (yay!) and fancy Fritte linens. Though the cute towns of Woodstock and Kingston are nearby, you could also just hang at the hotel the whole time, dining on farm-to-table fare at restaurant Butterfield or sipping on something in The Club Room lounge or the bar aptly named, yep, The Bar.
What was originally built as a dining hall for a local Methodist group in the 1800s is now a completely renovated trendy little boutique hotel that reopened last year. Guests can enjoy a lovely breakfast spread (which can be served in bed if you want to go all out) in the morning, wine sipping in the sun-drenched lobby in the evening, and non-stop lounging on the hotel's stunner of a porch that boasts killer harbor views any time of day. On-site restaurant Red Maple focuses on New American fare with a nod to Eastern Long Island ingredients.
If you like wine (can you imagine not liking wine?), a stay at this 1880s vineyard farmhouse on the North Fork of Long Island will be heaven with a visit (or two) to the tasting room, an afternoon wine- and-cheese-hour, and a guided vineyard walk and winery tour offered on weekends. There are just four rooms, making for the opposite of a bustling hotel experience. And all stays include daily breakfast with housemade baked goods and organic eggs from resident chickens who get to live here all year round. Those lucky suckers …
Spread out over 300 secluded acres, this luxurious-yet-rustic, all-inclusive hotel features traditional rooms as well as individual cottages, many with fireplaces and screened porches It's an outdoor-lover's paradise with hiking biking, tennis, fly fishing, canoeing, and (our favorite outdoor activity), picnicking. You can also stay indoors at the spa which touts glass brick steam rooms, Japanese soaking tubs, seasonal treatments, and locally-designed products. Since the meals (along adult beverages) are included, you might as well enjoy the locally-inspired fare. You can let the staff know about your preferences and dietary restrictions ahead of time for a menu tweaked just for you. Service is top-notch and includes complimentary pinch-me services like packing and unpacking, twice-daily housekeeping, and same-day laundry service.
