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.
Up a Tree
Elevate a getaway to Maryland’s Savage River State Forest with a stay at Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses. The two dwellings, opened in May, sleep five and six and are minutes from Deep Creek Lake. A woodsy vibe permeates the interiors, with hickory furnishings and some barnwood walls. Descend from your aerie to enjoy swings and fire pits. Bittinger, Md.; 301-338-4066. Rates start at $295 a night, with a two-night minimum and $45 cleaning fee.
A Wine Country Spa
The Inn at Willow Grove, in Virginia wine country, was already a pampering place to stay—the property offers refined rooms, while butlers bring guests beignets and French-press coffee each morning. Now add to the relaxation a new spa, which features a heated saltwater pool, a fitness center, and yoga. 14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Va.; 540-317-1206. Rooms start at $265.
History, Rewritten
The manor house that anchors the Clifton, an inn on the edge of Charlottesville, was built in 1799 for Thomas Jefferson’s daughter. Though it’s been a prime place to stay for years, it’s not resting on its past. In June, the inn unveiled a major update of all 20 guest rooms, which are now modern, elegant, and airy. The 100-acre property also includes an infinity pool, a croquet lawn, and a revamped restaurant and bar, now overseen by Michelin-starred chef Matthew Bousquet. 1296 Clifton Inn Dr., Charlottesville; 434-971-1800. Rooms start at $189.
Wellness Intentioned
Eupepsia Wellness Center, in southern Virginia, opened in May with a menu of yoga and meditation classes, nutrition workshops, wellness assessments, and spa treatments—all for guests to reconnect with body, mind, and spirit. The retreat, on 256 acres, also has a fitness center, tennis, and 26 guest rooms. 12940 West Blue Grass Trail, Bland, Va.; 276-722-0584. September rates start at $260 a night, including meals, yoga and other activities, and access to the spa and fitness facilities; treatments and workshops extra.
This article appears in the September 2018 issue of Washingtonian.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
