This article is a part of our 2018 guide to great fall getaways, including where to head for colorful foliage, fun festivals, and other glories of autumn.
An Apple a Day
Where: Clifton Inn, Charlottesville, Va.;
434-971-1800.
What’s special: On 100 acres in the shadow of
the Blue Ridge Mountains, this elegant 18-room inn is gorgeous in autumn.
Guests can stroll the grounds, sit dockside at the private lake, or sip a
cocktail in the gazebo. The area offers lots to see and do: the University
of Virginia, Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier, and vineyards. In
fall, nearby Carter Mountain Orchard offers apples galore—plus incredible
views.
The deal: The package Called An Apple a Day
includes a night in one of the Albemarle rooms; a four-course,
apple-inspired dinner for two with wine pairings (think apple-and-chestnut
soup with a foie gras dumpling and dry-aged duck breast with crabapple
purée and risotto); house-made apple-cider doughnuts delivered to your
room in the morning; admission to Carter Mountain Orchard for
apple-picking; a fall picnic (apples and cheese, cider, a map of picnic
spots); and a jar of house-made apple butter. The price is $325, a
30-percent savings. When reserving, mention The Washingtonian to
get this deal.
When: Valid in October.
Updating a Classic
Where: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Va.;
800-838-1766.
What’s special: A historic resort that has
hosted presidents and princesses, the Homestead just underwent a
$25-million transformation. The contemporary Lobby Bar is a new place to
gather before and after dinner. The Mini Cascades, an 18-hole
miniature-golf course, now complements the championship courses. A new
adults-only spa garden features a geothermal mineral bath, a river
reflexology bed, a sauna, and a whirlpool. Surrounded by the Allegheny
Mountains, the area is ablaze with color in the fall. Guests can hike
along the magnificent Cascades Gorge, go biking, or ride horseback along
mountain bridle paths.
The deal: The Bed and Breakfast package
includes accommodations and buffet breakfast for two (a $45 value).
Mention The Washingtonian to also receive a chocolate
replica of the hotel’s tower filled with chocolates (a $75 value) as well
as a room upgrade (a $25 value). The package starts at $259 a night, a
savings of $145.
When: Valid October 1 through December 20.
Some blackout dates may apply.
Gettysburg Address
Where: Federal Pointe Inn, Gettysburg, Pa.;
717-420-5248.
What’s special: This boutique hotel, open
since July, is in a former 1896 brick schoolhouse with 12-foot ceilings
and hallways adorned with brass chandeliers and Civil War art. The inn has
18 guest rooms—with such touches as four-poster beds, pillow-top
mattresses, and free wi-fi—plus a fitness center. Some rooms offer views
of Gettysburg National Military Park. You also can enjoy hiking and biking
trails as well as antiques shops, galleries, and restaurants.
The deal: Mention The
Washingtonian at booking to get 20 percent off the room rate
(which normally starts at $199), two free passes to the American Civil War
Wax Museum (a $17 value), and a free bottle of wine. All guests can enjoy
afternoon tea and scones daily. Washingtonian readers also can
get 15 percent off any of the following: golf at the nearby Links at
Gettysburg; dinner at the Dobbin House Tavern (a refurbished 1776 home
that was a station on the Underground Railroad); a one-hour horseback tour
for two with Confederate Trails of Gettysburg; and a 45-minute couples
massage at the Gettysburg Day Spa.
When: Valid October and November (blackout
dates November 21 through 25).
Falling in Love
Where: The Inn & Spa at Intercourse
Village, Intercourse, Pa.; 800-664-0949.
What’s special: Guests enjoy a five-course
breakfast—including treats such as muffins and baked peaches, stuffed
French toast, quiche, and frittatas. Suites feature separate sitting areas
with gas-burning fireplaces and flat-screen TVs. In the heart of Amish
country, the inn is a base for exploring quaint shops, rich history, and
beautiful fall scenery. You can take a balloon ride, tour covered bridges,
or visit Lancaster Central Market, with its local produce and baked
goods.
The deal: Stay two nights in either a Country
Homestead Suite or a Grand Suite and get $20 off each night—rates normally
start at $179 a night on weekdays, $199 weekends—and a $25 gift
certificate toward any spa service. On the first night, you’ll also
receive rose-petal turndown service, a bouquet of flowers, a nonalcoholic
sparkling beverage, and Godiva chocolates (an $84 value in all). Mention
The Washingtonian when booking.
When: Valid in October.
New in Annapolis
Where: Loews Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis, Md.;
410-263-7777.
What’s special: This hotel is an easy walk to
the city’s shops and sights, including the US Naval Academy and City Dock.
While the pet-friendly hotel is done up in a nautical style, the renovated
lobby has a contemporary feel—guests check in at “pods” rather than a
front desk. A new casual restaurant, West Kitchen & Tavern, honors the
Chesapeake region with a raw bar and produce from local farms.
The deal: Mention The Washingtonian
or use the online code LPRWAS at booking to get 20 percent off the
room rate, 20 percent off dinner at West Kitchen & Tavern, and a City
Shopping Card with discounts at local merchants. Rates start at $199
before discount.
When: Valid October 1 through March 31. Rooms
must be booked by October 31.
Alice Shapin (alishapin@aol.com) is a contributor to the
Great Getaways blog on Washingtonian.com.
This article appears in the October 2012 issue of The Washingtonian.
