The obvious reason February is considered the month of love is that Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. Another reason is that in many parts of the country, the cold weather offers an easy excuse to cozy up with someone you love. For those reasons alone, it is a great time to plan a getaway. Here are 10 of the East Coast’s top romantic destinations.
The Woods Treehouse | Norway, Maine
Ever thought about a romantic stay in a luxury treehouse? Sam and Rob Masabny have created a hidden oasis in Norway, Maine. This two-bedroom custom treehouse, which has a concierge and is sited on lakefront property, is a short ride from some award-winning ski resorts to enhance your escape. www.thewoodsmaine.com
Seesaw’s Lodge | Peru, Vermont
Seesaw’s Lodge, a century-old property in Peru, Vermont, is a hidden gem that provides couples with a winter wonderland experience straight out of a classic romantic movie. When visiting this historical property, couples are welcomed with timeless romance in a quintessential New England inn with preserved decor, furniture, and memorabilia from the original lodge. Settle into a spacious suite, featuring a gas fireplace, deep soaking tub, and large limestone shower. Then proceed to an intimate date: a sleigh ride pulled by Belgian draft horses on the scenic, snow-covered trails at a nearby farm, or go horseback riding through the hushed winter woods at a local ranch. On-site, take your partner for a romantic skate at Seesaw’s outdoor ice rink, then warm up by the restaurant’s legendary firepit or in the hot tub in Seesaw’s secluded woods. Complete your day at the restaurant with a comfort meal and a cocktail before heading back to your room’s balcony to watch a magnificent sunset. https://www.seesawslodge.com
Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz, New York
Nestled in the Hudson Valley and situated on a private glacial lake with views of the Catskill Mountains, this Victorian castle resort provides a one-of-a-kind romantic mountain getaway. This Valentine’s Day, Mohonk Mountain House has designed the perfect weekend with couples’ crafts, wine tasting, and live music. Additional amenities include farm-to-table cuisine, a wide range of outdoor activities, and an award-winning spa. Overnight rates feature charming accommodations, three meals, Afternoon Tea and Cookies, and most resort activities. www.mohonk.com
Hotel Du Pont | Wilmington, Delaware
Hotel Du Pont, completed in 1913, is a Historic Hotel of America. As such, each room is unique and far different from the cookie-cutter chain hotels that lack character and décor. The hotel has been renovated, and some of the previous rooms have been repurposed. For example, the current hotel lobby was once the ladies’ tearoom. The hotel has hosted celebrities and dignitaries during the past century; be sure to ask about the suite once used by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Without needing to leave the hotel, you can visit a handful of shops or even take in a theater show offered throughout the year. www.hoteldupont.com
The Wildset Hotel | St. Michaels, Maryland
This under-the-radar destination is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway. Opened in late 2021, the hotel consists of three completely renovated and updated 19th-century buildings. The 34 spacious and beautifully-appointed guest rooms, each slightly different, reflect the coastal ambiance. Most rooms have with free-standing gas fireplaces, and private balconies or terraces. The onsite restaurant Ruse, which provides a fresh take on traditional Eastern Shore cuisine, is perfect for a romantic dinner of local seafood, bespoke cocktails, and biodynamic wines. Guests can head over to the renowned spa at The Inn at Perry Cabin, or charter a romantic sailing tour — with champagne in hand. This quaint town will block out the daily noise and allow you to reconnect with your partner. www.thewildset.com
Salamander Resort & Spa | Middleburg, Virginia
Nestled within the Middleburg Viticultural Area, the Salamander Resort & Spa is a feast for the senses. A stay at this luxury hotel is an amalgamation of nature, food, wine, relaxation, and recreation. The attention to detail and additional amenities are what set the Salamander apart. Among the extras are turndown service, a complimentary shoeshine, and morning coffee or tea service, which you can enjoy on your own balcony while taking in the picturesque countryside. At 23,000 square feet, the spa is the largest destination spa in the Washington, D.C. area. It has a heated outdoor pool, and offers an array of body treatments, massages, and facials. www.salamanderresort.com
The Greenbrier Resort | White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
The Greenbrier, a crown jewel located on thousands of acres in the Allegheny Mountains, has hosted royalty, presidents and other dignitaries, and during your stay, you will feel like royalty too. Its Five Diamond Resort offers impeccable service from the moment you arrive. Special touches include a complimentary beverage upon check-in, and chocolates placed on your pillow during turn-down service in the evening. People have been traveling to “America’s Resort” since 1778 to “take the waters,” and bathe in the spring water. www.greenbrier.com
The Cloister on Sea Island | Sea Island, Georgia
After opening in 1928, The Cloister quickly became a favorite escape for the era’s VIPs, including the Rockefellers and President Calvin Coolidge. Over the decades, world leaders, celebrities, and royalty flocked to the secluded, Mediterranean-style hideaway, and nearly a century later, it stands as the world’s only resort to receive four Forbes Five-Star Awards for 14 consecutive years. The Cloister offers well-appointed and spacious guestrooms, beautifully decorated lobby and lounges, and onsite award-winning restaurants. Love birds can relax and unwind by the pools and at the Sea Island Beach Club, which features private cabanas, a 1950s-style sweet shop, and even a six-lane bowling alley. Beyond the hotel’s sumptuous comforts, guests can enjoy five miles of private beach, a world-class spa, tennis center, and yacht club, as well as falconry lessons, horseback riding, three championship golf courses, private cruises on the 71-foot Sea Island Explorer yacht, or a feast on short ribs and crème brûlée at the Georgian Room restaurant. www.seaisland.com
The Lodge & Club | Ponte Vedra, Florida
A landmark destination on Northeast Florida’s pristine coastline, Ponte Vedra Beach Resort’s The Lodge & Club offers an elevated, romantic escape for couples this Valentine’s Day. With a “stay at one, play at both” mantra, guests have reciprocal access to amenities and activities at this resort and its sister property, including world-class culinary destinations, multiple pool areas, the 30,000-square foot spa and salon, golf and tennis courts, a bocce ball and croquet lawn, and ample beach and watersport activities. With the Stir the Fire Package, enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience inclusive of accommodations in an exclusive oceanfront fireplace suite, daily beach chairs for two, and welcome cocktails for two. Enhance the experience further with the brand-new Romance Dining Package, a private in-room dining experience that includes waiter service and interactive tableside preparation by Executive Chef Cameron Walton. www.pontevedra.com
Southernmost Beach Resort | Key West, Florida
Situated along the quieter southern limit of the famed Duval Street, the newly renovated Southernmost Beach Resort features a modern sleek design and classic coastal charm with amazing ocean views. Boasting three palm-fringed pools with private cabanas, a secluded tanning pier, a signature restaurant, and oceanfront rooms, this idyllic oasis sets the tone for a romantic and memorable spot to become engaged in Key West’s historic district. Couples can snuggle up and celebrate with champagne as they watch the sunset on the resort’s private beach, explore Key West’s historic Old Town, or spend your time on the property reveling in steamy activities like salsa dancing, and sip and spill painting classes. www.southernmostbeachresort.com
By Shuan Butcher