Fall is in the air. Leaves are changing color, pumpkins decorate doorsteps, and festivals celebrate the season. Now is a perfect time to get away. Here are special deals just for readers of The Washingtonian.
Almost Heaven
Where: Hillbrook Inn, 4490 Summit Point Rd., Charles Town, W.Va.; 304-725-4223; http://www.hillbrookinn.com
What’s special: The land this inn sits on once belonged to George Washington, and the oldest parts of the inn—though most of it was built in 1920—date to the 1700s. The eclectic, European-style inn features Oriental carpets, rich dark woods, polished brass, Flemish oil paintings, African masks, and dramatic contemporary sculpture. Some 2,000 panes of glass mean the interior gets flooded with light. It’s sophisticated yet unpretentious. A romantic dining room welcomes guests to sit by a fire; the chef uses local ingredients whenever possible. The 17 acres of grounds include streams, gardens, a pond, and wooded trails.
The deal: Washingtonian readers who stay one night can get a discount of 20 percent on any room; with this special, prices start at $299.99 per room, based on double occupancy. Included in this rate is, for two people, a two-course gourmet breakfast served on the sun porch and a five-course dinner at the inn’s fine-dining restaurant; tax and gratuity not included. Without the dinner, the rate is $169. Please mention the Washingtonian Special when booking.
When: Valid through November 15, 2010.
I Love New York
Where: Fashion 26, 152 W. 26th St., New York, N.Y.; 212-858-5888; http://www.f26nyc.com
What’s special: This new boutique hotel is walking distance to the subway, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Herald Square, Tribeca, SoHo, and Chelsea Market. The hotel’s modern, spacious lobby is a tribute to fashion: The front desk is constructed with cast-iron legs from a sewing table and the artwork is made of thread spools. A rooftop bar, Rare View, offers just that—a dramatic vista. The on-site restaurant, Rare, is a hip burger joint.
The deal: The Fashion Insider Package includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe king room, breakfast for two, free in-room movie, a Fashion 26 tote and fashion magazines, 10-percent-off shopping cards for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, and a free gift with purchase at Century 21. Washingtonian readers who book this package also get a bottle of wine and cheese upon arrival and a box of chocolates at turndown. Rates start at $459 a night, a 20-percent savings.
When: Valid through January 31, 2011.
Wine and History
Where: Wedmore Place, 5810 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, Va.; 866-933-6673; http://www.wedmoreplace.com
What’s special: Built in 2007, Wedmore Place has 28 rooms and suites done in the styles of different European provinces—Normandy, Tyrol, Brittany, Tuscany. Each room has a fireplace, luxurious linens, and period antiques. You can enjoy complimentary breakfast in Café Provençal, decorated with antique dairy-farm implements from Europe. Outdoors, there’s an Italian-style tiled courtyard, a pond, beautiful gardens, a trail for walking, and routes for biking. Next door is Williamsburg Winery, where a daily tour is given; it ends with a tasting of seven wines, and guests receive an etched wine glass. Nestled among the vineyards is Gabriel Archer Tavern, where you can dine outdoors under a canopy of wisteria. Wedmore Place is about ten minutes from Colonial Williamsburg.
The deal: The package includes a two-night weekend stay in a traditional room with wood-burning fireplace, dinner for two at Café Provençal, including a premium bottle of Williamsburg Winery Wine, Champagne on arrival, continental breakfast for two each morning, and a tour and winetasting for two at Williamsburg Winery. A $580 value, the exclusive Washingtonian reader price is $435 plus taxes and gratuities, a 25-percent savings. This package must be booked by calling the hotel directly at 866-933-6673 and mentioning the Washingtonian Special Package.
When: Valid through December 19, 2010, based on availability.
Thomas Jefferson Country
Where: Keswick Hall, 701 Club Dr., Keswick Va.; 434-979-3440; http://www.keswick.com
What’s special: At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this small luxury hotel/resort sits on a 600-acre private estate; a visit is like staying at the country home of a friend—a very rich friend. The 48 rooms and suites are designed with exquisite fabrics and furnishings and offer beautiful views. The resort features an 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course, a luxurious spa, and tennis courts. There are a variety of dining options: Fine-dining Fossett’s restaurant offers spectacular panoramic views; Fossett’s Bar has live music and fireside seating; Villa Crawford features the ambience of an elegant private home; and the Palmer Room allows for more informal dining. Nearby activities include wineries, art museums, and three presidential homes: Montpelier, Monticello, and Ash Lawn-Highland.
The deal: A special reader package includes 10 percent off the best available rate, a free bottle of wine, high-speed Internet access, and a daily newspaper. With the discount, rates start at $239 per room per night; taxes and gratuities are not included. The package is subject to availability. You can register for this deal by using this link.
When: Valid through November 18, 2010.
Southern Comfort
Where: Inn at Warner Hall, 4750 Warner Hall Rd., Gloucester, Va.; 804-695-9565; http://www.warnerhall.com
What’s special: Innkeepers Theresa and Troy Stavens welcome guests to this restored mansion with Southern hospitality. The elegant but casual inn, which sits on a waterfront plantation created in 1642 by George Washington’s great-great grandfather, is a mix of Old World charm and New World amenities: It features antique furnishings, fireplaces, and plush canopy and brass beds along with steam showers and Jacuzzis. Guests enjoy beautiful river views and delicious breakfasts in the glass-enclosed porch. Guests have free use of the inn’s kayaks, canoes, and bikes, or they can relax on the expansive porches and rock away. The inn is 30 minutes from Williamsburg, 15 minutes to the Yorktown Battlefield, and 50 minutes from Jamestown.
The deal: Sunday through Thursday, enjoy three nights and pay for only two. All stays include a full breakfast. Weekday prices start at $190 per room a night.
When: Valid through November 2010.
