The Best Weekend Getaways from NYC
It’s officially the start of the fall season – and while 2020 brings a much different fall than ever before, the change in season and itch to get away is palpable around town. For those looking for a quick (socially distanced!) getaway, we’ve rounded up our favorite hotels and inns within driving distance of NYC.
Whether ambling through a quaint town during peak fall foliage or luxuriating in a bubble bath with lovely accommodations, a quick getaway is a lovely way to settle into the new season before we all start hibernating for winter again. Below, we’ve rounded up Ariel’s favorite hotels that are driving distance from New York City. All that’s left to do is book, pack, and drive!
Courtesy of Walk with Walsh
Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club, Sloatsburg, NY
It doesn't get much chicer than the Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club, located less than an hour north of Manhattan and painstakingly developed by Michael Bruno, the founder of 1stdibs. The picture-perfect property is located near Tuxedo Park, in the village of Sloatsburg, New York, nestled at the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains. Surrounded by 70,000 acres of nature-protected Harriman State Park and Sterling Forest, trails and lakes abound in every direction. Most notably, the design of the space—impeccably curated from a mix of Bruno's legendary vintage collection and executed by Lisa Bowles of Roark Interiors—beckons guests to settle in.
With a dozen historic houses and barns, four renovated guesthouses, an organic market, and two restaurants that source organic produce straight from the hotel's own farm fields in the Hudson Valley, the property is truly a farm-to-table fever dream. For the fitness-obsessed, a 75-foot pool and 7,000-square-foot gym await, as well as instructor-led hiking and biking programs (and kayaking in the warmer months). After a long day of exercising in the cold winter air, come back to a warm oasis in front of a crackling fire and tuck into five-star cuisine from the Mountain Club's award-winning chefs. And with Dia:Beacon, Ringwood Manor (also known as the Cooper Hewitt home), and Storm King Art Center all close by, cultural stimulation is within reach.
Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Situated directly on the gorgeous beaches of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, Ocean House is a legendary New England resort dating back to 1868, with accolades that speak for itself. As the first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel in the state, the property’s OH! Spa and Coast restaurant was also awarded Forbes Five-Star Ratings, making it one of only 13 resorts in the world with triple Five Star Resort status. And the praise is well earned: the property is stunning, the massages are exquisite—the spa’s relaxation room is a rotunda overlooking the ocean (does it get better than that?)—and the food is divine. The hotel has also quickly risen to become one of the most coveted wedding destinations on the East Coast; its trademark cheery yellow facade and beachfront real estate lends itself to particularly stunning photos.
The room accommodations are sophisticated and cozy, with blue and white color schemes and luxe additions, like soaking tubs overlooking the water (and Taylor Swift’s house). And for those traveling with littles, the hotel’s kids club is ready and waiting.
Ocean House’s customer service and activity offerings are unparalleled: during a stay while celebrating our wedding anniversary, my husband and I asked the concierge if we could take a cooking class even though it wasn’t on the schedule of activities that evening. Within an hour, they had set up a private pasta making class with the hotel's chef in the Center for Wine & Culinary Arts: an unforgettable experience that ended with all of us sharing a bottle of Chianti and great conversation.
You can spend an entire weekend at the hotel and never have to leave: from movie screenings to croquet tournaments and everything in between, there are myriad activities to keep everyone in your brood entertained. And if you simply want to sit in the lobby and sip on a hot toddy by the fire, fiddle with a puzzle in one of the gigantic armchairs, and take in the mellow sounds of Bobby Darin tunes played lightly on the piano by a live jazz musician, well, you can do that too. (We know from personal experience.)
The best part about Ocean House, besides its sweeping panoramic views of the water and 650 feet of private white sand beach complete with butler service, is its proximity to the quaint and classic seaside village of Watch Hill, and the gracious nature of its staff. From the moment you check in, you feel part of a family; leaving will be the hardest part of your trip.
Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton, New York
You don’t have to own a place out east to feel like you’re a local. Approximately 100 miles from New York City in the heart of the Hamptons, Topping Rose House occupies a historic Greek Revival mansion in the heart of Bridgehampton—the Hamptons' first full-service luxury hotel, with 22 elegantly styled rooms spanning the main House, Studios, and Cottage.
The property boasts a Farmaesthetics treatment studio, a heated outdoor pool, and a fully equipped fitness center, along with spa amenities, concierge service, and stylish common spaces. Guests enjoy a complimentary BMW shuttle service within a 5-mile radius—perfect for trips to the beach, local attractions (like the Wolffer Estate Vineyard ), or even the Bridgehampton LIRR station, and Lexus house vehicles are also available for a touch of extra luxury
Ideally situated near the halfway point of Montauk Highway, Topping Rose House is equidistant from the best shopping, cafés, museums, galleries, and restaurants that the East End has to offer. The on-site, 75-seat Jean-Georges restaurant is a standout; truly farm-to-table, it features produce grown on the property’s one-acre Topping Rose Farm and honors the best ingredients from other local farmers and fishermen. Local resident Ina Garten also happens to be a frequent diner. (I just so happened to meet her there when my husband and I went on our own romantic getaway at Topping Rose House a few weeks ago—I almost fainted.)
In the winter, fireplaces roar in the Main House. Try to snag a room on the third floor for ultimate peace and quiet. You’ll feel like you’re tucked away in your own home for a weekend of rest and relaxation. Head to brunch nearby before taking a relaxing drive out to the Montauk Lighthouse. Walk down the path to the rock beach or sit on one of the swings overlooking the bluff; there’s nothing more calming than the ocean, especially for a tightly wound New Yorker.
Courtesy of Glenmere Mansion
Glenmere Mansion, Hudson Valley, New York
Originally fashioned as a 35-room Tuscan villa for a financier in 1911, Glenmere Mansion underwent a painstaking restoration to return to its original beauty. Situated in New York’s Hudson Valley, the boutique hotel is approximately two hours from the city but feels like a world away once you drive up its long, stately entrance. Upon arriving, guests are greeted with cocktails, homemade cookies, and a handwritten welcome note; the fireplace in your room will also most likely be ablaze. Sumptuous terry robes hang in elegant white-marble bathrooms, and claw-footed tubs beckon. The interiors of the space are visually stunning, with original architectural details preserved throughout. The landscape offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and tranquil Glenmere Lake. But what you really come here for is the spa: It’s one of only a handful of true Turkish Carrara marble bathhouses and hammams in the United States, so the experience is unparalleled.
The hammam routine involves mixed use of the herbal steam room, dry heat sauna, stimulating Swiss shower, cool mist room, aqua massage vitality pool, and a warm marble belly stone; not to mention a vigorous body scrub followed by a purifying cleanse and 60- or 90-minute massage. Couples treatments here are not to be missed; a lavish duet suite boasts side-by-side soaking tubs and treatment tables. Plus, each ritual in the spa includes pre- or post-treatment tapas and a selection of organic teas, juices, or water infusions in their stunning Relaxation Library, complete with a fireplace.
With two dining options on-site (one casual and one a bit fancier), plus breakfast included in the gorgeous dining room, there’s no need to leave to explore. But, if you’re curious, consider heading over to Brotherhood Winery, the oldest vineyard in America, for a wine tasting or tour. The Dia:Beacon art museum and Storm King Art Center are also only a quick ride away, as are the antiquing towns of Warwick and Sugar Loaf. Plus, Woodbury Common, one of the largest luxury retail outlets in the country, is a stone’s throw away. (It boasts a Tom Ford and a Shake Shack, if that piques your interest.)
Courtesy of Castle Hill Inn
Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island
The first Rhode Island hotel to be invited to join the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group in 2008, Castle Hill Inn is a luxurious seaside escape steeped in rich New England history. A stunning waterfront town, Newport has played vacation home to everyone from Grace Kelly (her favorite private beach is actually on Castle Hill’s premises; she used to frequent it while filming High Society) to Taylor Swift, and with good reason: Its classic elegance mixed with beach-town charm draws you right in from the start.
Castle Hill’s unique layout includes an original 19th-century lighthouse refurbished into a guest room, as well as recently constructed bungalows hidden away on the beach for a more private feel. Stay in one of 33 upscale rooms or beach cottages while enjoying complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea as well as private beach access, and be sure to ask for a room with a gas fireplace and heated floors.
Don’t pass up a couples massage in the hotel’s signature spa, The Retreat, complete with local products from Rhode Island–based natural skincare company Farmaesthetics, and make sure to dine in one (or both) of the hotel’s restaurants: The food is impeccable. With board games and hot toddies offered next to the lobby’s wood-burning fireplace, you might never want to leave, but if you get the itch, ice skating at Bowen’s Wharf is a fun and wintry experience worth having. Top it off with some hot chocolate and lunch harborside at The Mooring, or have a romantic Italian dinner for two at local spot Mamma Luisa.
33 Main, Lenox, Massachusetts
33 Main is a labor of love from designer Annie Selke, founder of the eponymous textile line and a native to the Berkshires. Named after its address, 33 Main is located at 33 Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Lenox. With just eight rooms, the inn, housed in a historic, 4,320-square-foot, Federal-style building, is welcoming and intimate. The en-suite guestrooms—two of which are dog-friendly—feature Annie Selke headboards, bedding, rugs, lamps, furniture, and artwork that are all available for purchase through menu cards located in each room. The space feels new and fresh while still remaining inviting and supremely cozy.
Guests are greeted with freshly baked cookies in each room along with bottled water, and a full gourmet breakfast is included each morning of your stay. Handmade herbal apothecary products are available in each bathroom, and a cocktail hour with nibbles in the front parlor gives off a joyous feel in the afternoons.
If you feel like venturing around the area, the Berkshires offer plenty of history and culture. The Norman Rockwell Museum is close by in Stockbridge, as is the Berkshire Botanical Garden, one of the country’s first. Shakespeare & Company, the theater company founded by Tina Parker in 1978, is also a must-visit. If it’s modern art you’re after, The MASS MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the U.S.
Courtesy of Grace Mayflower Inn
Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Connecticut
A personal favorite of the Fenimore Lane team—and the location of the Fenimore Lane Design Summit—the Mayflower Inn & Spa is among the most celebrated destination spas on the East Coast. Just two hours from New York City in the storybook town of Washington, Connecticut, this 30-room country retreat sits on 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, and is part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection. Surrounded by 3,000 acres of nature preserve, the Mayflower feels worlds away, making it the perfect setting for rest, romance, and restoration.
The inn’s spa offers everything from yoga and guided meditation to private lessons in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other seasonal pursuits. Tailored couples’ retreats and wellness programs make the most of the serene landscape, while evenings invite quieter pleasures: curling up by the fire with a book, indulging in a tea service, or simply sinking into the calm of the countryside.
Guests can choose from four charming accommodations—Mayflower House, Speedwell Cottage, Standish Cottage, and Allerton Cottage—each filled with thoughtful details: feather-topped mattresses, antique rugs, marble bathrooms with Limoges fittings, Frette linens, and gas fireplaces. A distinguished collection of 18th- and 19th-century art is scattered throughout the inn, adding to its sense of refined history. For those inclined to venture out, the nearby Litchfield Hills offer antiquing, independent films at the Bantam Cinema, and skiing at Mohawk Mountain, ensuring that a stay at the Mayflower can be as active—or as indulgent—as you wish.
Courtesy of Rivertown Lodge
Rivertown Lodge, Hudson, New York
For those seeking a Brooklyn-esque escape, Rivertown Lodge, a 27-room hotel located in Hudson, is upstate’s answer to understated cool. It‘s located along the town’s main historic thoroughfare, Warren Street, which is home to an eclectic mix of antique shops, galleries, restaurants, and performance spaces.
Designed by Brooklyn-based design firm Workstead, the space has a vintage, utilitarian feel, highlighted by cozy elements like wood-burning fireplaces and a built-in lobby library. Originally constructed in the 1920s as a movie theater, the original facade of the building remains, along with many architectural details; the interiors have been transformed to embody the aesthetic culture of the Hudson Valley with a chic, minimalist twist.
Guest rooms contain natural bath products by 2 Note Botanical Perfumery and Hudson Made, while beds are swathed in Frette linens and 100-percent-organic Keetsa mattresses. Much of the furniture is crafted by local artisans, such as the tables by Sawkille Co., while the art in the room is by local artists, including Melissa Auf de Maur.
A quiet, cultured town in upstate New York, Hudson is filled with antique stores, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants. Be sure to hit the famed Phoenicia Diner for some legendary pancakes. If a spa day is what you’re after, Mohonk Mountain House, a nearby resort housed in a Victorian castle, offers an extensive selection of treatments. Brunette, a gorgeous little natural-wine bar in Kingston, is the perfect spot for a light bite or after-dinner drinks.
Courtesy of Troutbeck
Troutbeck, Amenia, New York
Set on 250 acres in Amenia, New York, Troutbeck, a boutique hotel, is a retreat that feels equal parts pastoral and refined. Once the estate of poet Myron Benton—a contemporary of Emerson and Thoreau—the property sat dormant for decades until its thoughtful revival in 2018 by D.R. Horne & Company and Champalimaud Design. Today, the inn draws a creative crowd with its mix of heritage and modernity, its guest rooms outfitted with Frette linens, fireplaces, and Malin + Goetz bath products.
The culinary program is a highlight: Michelin-starred Chef Gabe McMackin leads the kitchen with a hyper-seasonal menu sourced from the Hudson Valley, served seven days a week. Communal spaces encourage connection by design, while the surrounding 5,000 acres of woodland invite exploration—whether that’s hiking, skiing, fishing, or snowshoeing. For the more culturally inclined, The Wassaic Project, Hudson, Dia Beacon, and Mass MoCA are all within easy reach.
Closer to home, Troutbeck’s charm lies in its balance of rustic and cosmopolitan pleasures. Evenings might mean cocktails by the fire, while days can be spent antiquing in nearby Sharon, Kent, or Millerton, or indulging in a maple syrup tasting at Madava Farms. Whether drawn by food, art, or nature, guests will find that Troutbeck offers a retreat that feels both restorative and deeply connected to its Hudson Valley roots.
Baron’s Cove, Sag Harbor, New York
Sag Harbor is a quietly enchanting seaside village, where history and creativity mingle effortlessly. Once a thriving fishing port, the town has evolved into a cultural hotspot and an upscale weekend escape from New York City—reachable in just over an hour and a half by train or Jitney. Its charming streets, art galleries, and hidden cafés make it the kind of place that feels worlds away from the city, yet endlessly inviting.
At the heart of it stands Baron’s Cove, a saltbox-style retreat reimagined in 2015 by Colleen Bashaw. The hotel’s 67 rooms offer serene harbor and village views, with many featuring private patios perfect for a slow morning coffee. Its history as a creative gathering spot is palpable—Truman Capote, Jackson Pollock, and Kurt Vonnegut were among its guests in the 1950s. Today, communal spaces, a harbor-side heated saltwater pool, tennis court, fitness studio, spa services, and complimentary beach service all create a sense of relaxed sophistication that has made the property a favorite for generations.
Dining here is elevated yet homey: a classic chicken pot pie at the second-floor restaurant, cocktails and small plates by the fire in the Lobby Lounge, or a casual waterside bite at nearby LT Burger. Beyond the hotel, Sag Harbor delights at every turn—from brunch at Wölffer Kitchen to sunset at The Beacon, seafood at Dockside, and picnics from Cavaniola’s. And for those who love design and discovery, the streets around Main Street are dotted with treasures, from mid-century and contemporary home stores to independent bookstores, all waiting to be explored.
Delamar Hotels – Connecticut Escapes
Just over an hour from New York City, Connecticut’s coastline and charming towns are home to some of the state’s most refined retreats, and the Delamar Hotel Collection offers a range of escapes that pair timeless elegance with a strong sense of place. Whether you’re seeking a seaside getaway, a boutique town experience, or a cozy weekend in the country, each property balances thoughtful design, attentive service, and the subtle comforts that make every stay feel effortless.
Delamar Mystic evokes the sophistication of a 19th-century shipowner’s home, blending maritime heritage with worldly touches inspired by the town’s historic trade routes. Delamar Westport, with interiors reimagined by Christian Siriano, features the bold and elegant Siriano Suites—including a 1,900-square-foot presidential suite—and a redesigned lobby that sets a dramatic and inviting tone. Delamar Greenwich Harbor recently refreshed its Belvedere Floor, offering private concierge service, harbor-view rooms and terraces, and curated amenities perfect for fall travelers seeking quiet luxury.
For a classic coastal escape, Delamar Southport combines understated sophistication with breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound, earning accolades this year from Travel + Leisure and Men’s Health. Delamar West Hartford, inspired by Northern European and French-Canadian design, brings contemporary flair to traditional elegance, with art-filled interiors and seasonal experiences perfect for fall 2025. Together, these Connecticut properties make the perfect canvas for exploring charming towns, taking in autumnal scenery, and enjoying the curated comforts and experiences that only Delamar Hotels can offer.
*A version Ariel wrote of this article first ran in 2019 on Vogue.com.
