Beaching It
Where: Sanderling Resort & Spa, 1461 Duck Rd., Duck, NC; 877-650-4812; http://www.thesanderling.com.
What’s special: The resort is perfectly located between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound. On property, you can swim in or outdoors and work out in the fitness room. Relax at the spa, where some natural ingredients from the Outer Banks—such as olives from a native tree—go into lotions used in treatments. A stay at the resort also gives you access to Pine Island Racquet & Fitness Club, three miles away, where there are indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a fully equipped fitness center. You can also golf at Currituck Club, six miles away. At the Sanderling, you can dine casually at a restaurant housed in a restored 1899 lifesaving station; it’s decorated with nautical artifacts and historic memorabilia. For fine dining there’s the Left Bank, a AAA four diamond restaurant.
The deal: Stay two nights in a North Inn King or two-bed Queen accommodation. Included is a day on the beach with beach chairs and umbrellas and one of the following activities: tennis lesson (one per person during your stay), Corolla Wild Horses Guided Tour, Guided Kayak Tour, or bicycles for two. The package is $325 a night with a two-night minimum; this is a savings of $75 a day. Mention The Washingtonian and also receive breakfast for two each day, a $50 a day value.
When: Valid June 25 through September 7, 2010
Rolling On the River
Where: River Expeditions, 900 Broadway Ave., Oak Hill, WV; 800-463-9873; http://www.raftinginfo.com.
What’s special: River Expeditions—formerly Rivers, Extreme Expeditions, USA Raft, and Appalachian Wildwaters—offers more than 70 years of combined outfitting experience. The family-owned and -operated company offers adventure for everyone, novice to expert. Its whitewater-rafting trips are on the New River and Gauley River in the heart of southern West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park. Choose a low-impact tour, a high-energy rafting trip, or something in between (Class V rapids to floating tranquilly along the river.) There are no phones, emails, traffic, or deadlines.
The deal: Mention The Washingtonian when making a reservation and children ages 6 through 17 will receive 50-percent off of the regular rafting rates on the Upper New River Canyon and Lower New River Gorge, two of their most popular trips. Prices for the day rafting trips start at $85 a person. Packages that include rafting, two nights of camping, and dinner start at $120 a person.
When: Valid through August 31, 2010.
Mountain Fun
Where: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, 1001 Lafayette Dr., Farmington, Pa.; 800-422-2736; http://www.nemacolin.com.
What’s special: Situated on 2,000 wooded acres, Nemacolin offers guests many choices. You can stay at the Falling Rock boutique hotel, the Lodge, the Chateau, or the Townhomes. Activities abound: You can golf on two championship courses, play tennis, relax at the luxe spa, swim, or hit the Adventure Center with its new 1,060-foot Fatbird Flyer Zip Line that reaches speeds of up to 60 miles an hour and soars through the air at 300 feet of elevation. Also new this season is the Little Tykes Ropes Course—while mom and dad and big kids take to the 10- and 40-foot ropes course, now little ones can have fun too. Play miniature golf, mountain bike, try the Off-Road Driving Academy featuring Jeep Rubicons, or go fly-fishing. At the resort you can also enjoy the collection of art and antique cars. Plenty of restaurants, from casual to fine dining, can satisfy all tastes.
The deal: The Stay and Play Free Golf Package offers two guests one free round of golf on Nemacolin’s Mystic Rock, where PGA tournaments have been played. Mention The Washingtonian when booking your reservation and receive a free Mystic Rock golf towel, hat, and a sleeve of golf balls, plus 15-percent off regularly priced golf apparel. Some restrictions may apply. Rates start at $352 and include accommodations, resort fee, and taxes. This package is a savings of approximately $385.
When: Valid Sunday through Thursday, May 2 to October 31, 2010.
Romance on the Eastern Shore
Where: Inn at Perry Cabin, 308 Watkins Point Rd., St. Michaels, Md.; 410-745-2200; http://perrycabin.com.
What’s special: This Colonial mansion exudes serenity and elegance. Located along the Miles River, a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, it offers an intimate and exclusive feel, luxurious accommodations, beautiful common spaces, excellent cuisine, and the ultimate in service. Sherwood Landing is the only four-diamond restaurant on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Linden Spa—named for the magnificent Linden trees that line the driveway leading to the hotel—offers pampering, rejuvenation, and wellness. The resort is pet friendly, so Fido can come along.
The deal: The Summer Fever package includes two nights’ accommodations, a bottle of chilled rosé and canapés on the lawn, bicycles with gourmet picnic lunches for two (one per stay), and sunscreen and lip balm from the spa. Rates start at $650 for the two-night package. Washingtonian readers will receive a $75 food and beverage credit. Total savings: more than $200. Book online through http://www.perrycabin.com/washingtonian.
When: Valid Sunday through Thursday, through August 31, 2010.
In the Land of Thomas Jefferson
Where: The Boar’s Head, 200 Ednam Dr., Charlottesville, Va.; 800-476-1988; http://www.boarsheadinn.com.
What’s special: An easy drive from Washington, the Boar’s Head is in Virginia’s Piedmont countryside and sits on 573 lush acres. Guests enjoy a multitude of activities—fishing; biking; hiking; swimming; golfing; hot air ballooning; tennis; a Sports Club (fitness center, squash, pools); a spa; and a choice of restaurants. Close by are wineries, breweries, and historic attractions.
The deal: Stay Sunday and Monday and save 50 percent off on Tuesday. The price is $175 a night. The Summer Sunday, Monday, Fun Day Package, exclusive to Washingtonian readers, includes deluxe accommodations, an all-access pass to the Sports Club, tennis (up to two hours of indoor court time, a $60 value,) one round of golf for two (a $166 value), and a gift certificate for a box of homemade chocolates (a $26 value). This package offers more than $600 in savings.
When: Valid through August, 2010.
Golfing Around
Where: Monticello Golf Trail is comprised of five top resort golf courses in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge; http://www.monticellogolftrail.com.
What’s special: The world’s first “green” golf trail, Monticello Golf Trail features five environmentally conscious golf courses in Central Virginia including Stoney Creek and Devils Knob at Wintergreen Resort, Birdwood at the Boar’s Head, Poplar Grove, and Rivanna. All are within a 45-minute radius. A trail card gets you special offers on golf rounds, accommodations, and merchandise.
The deal: Washingtonian readers pay $25 for the $50 card. In addition, with the card Washingtonian readers receive 20-percent off Wintergreen Resort’s best available rate for accommodations, and Rivanna Golf Course is offering a round of golf, free range balls, and a hot dog/soda for $30.
When: Purchase the card before August 31, 2010 and it’s valid through July 31, 2011.
A Nearby Golf Club for the Day
Where: 1757 Golf Club, 45120 Waxpool Rd., Dulles, Va.; 703-444-0901; http://www.1757golfclub.com.
What’s special: Opened in May, the 1757 Golf Club experie
nce is like being at a country club for the day. You can practice, take a lesson, play, and then lunch on good fare such as crabcakes and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich at the clubhouse’s SeventeenFiftySeven restaurant. The course, a 6,623-yard, 18-hole, par-70 gem, is routed through gently rolling terrain. Golfers have dramatic views of Broad Run and the majestic Virginia landscape, along with strategically placed bunkers, streams, and lakes. With multiple tees, it can be played by golfers of all abilities. There is a large driving range plus an expansive short-game area. PGA-certified instruction is available at the Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art learning center with high-tech swing analysis and a six-acre practice facility.
The deal: The Ultimate Golf Experience, exclusive to Washingtonian readers, includes one round of golf for two people anytime, a one-hour lesson for two, complimentary range balls, and lunch for two (excluding alcohol) at SeventeenFiftySeven Restaurant. The price is $299 a couple, a savings of about $150. Contact Brian Wilcox 703-444-0901 to schedule.
When: Valid June through December, 2010.
