Please help me find a good B & B 2-4 hours from New York City
Dec 17th, 2001, 02:07 PM
#1
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Please help me find a good B & B 2-4 hours from New York City
My husband and I would like to get away for 2 nights during the holiday break. We would like a B&B with lots of charm, good food, romantic rooms, and gracious hosts. Although we do not want to do constant running around, we would like there to be some activites around the area. We are not winter sports people, but we do enjoy walking around charming towns, soaking up the natural beauty of an area, and visiting museums and other cultural activities.
We are willing to spend $100-200 per night. And we really do not want to drive more than 4 hours -less would be better. We live on Long Island, NY.
I know that this is almost last minute, so I would truly appreciate any advice you can offer.
Thank you
We are willing to spend $100-200 per night. And we really do not want to drive more than 4 hours -less would be better. We live on Long Island, NY.
I know that this is almost last minute, so I would truly appreciate any advice you can offer.
Thank you
Dec 17th, 2001, 03:08 PM
#3
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You might want to think about Stockbridge, Mass. and the Berkshires. I don't have any specific B& B names, but the area fits your criteria. The town is the home of the Norman Rockwell Mesuem.
Nearby, in New York State, the town of Hudson in Columbia county is well know for its antique shops.
Nearby, in New York State, the town of Hudson in Columbia county is well know for its antique shops.
Dec 17th, 2001, 04:06 PM
#4
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Casey
You are right about Cape May. We have been there many times with our boys. We've always gone during the summer months, and we have never stayed in one of those GORGEOUS B&Bs. My husband and I were contemplating going to Cape May, but it would seem funny going there without our boys -it's always been one of our favorite family places to vacation. I have reccommended Cape May / Wildwood to many people!
You are right about Cape May. We have been there many times with our boys. We've always gone during the summer months, and we have never stayed in one of those GORGEOUS B&Bs. My husband and I were contemplating going to Cape May, but it would seem funny going there without our boys -it's always been one of our favorite family places to vacation. I have reccommended Cape May / Wildwood to many people!
Dec 17th, 2001, 05:39 PM
#6
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Elizabeth,
You mean Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. It's a nice place with romantic rooms, but not at all like a B&B. More like a resort on a gorgeous piece of property with great hiking trails and a beautiful lake. The food's okay, not great. I think Mohonk's ideal for a family getaway, but for a romantic weekend I'd go for something more intimate. Wish I had a place to suggest...
You mean Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. It's a nice place with romantic rooms, but not at all like a B&B. More like a resort on a gorgeous piece of property with great hiking trails and a beautiful lake. The food's okay, not great. I think Mohonk's ideal for a family getaway, but for a romantic weekend I'd go for something more intimate. Wish I had a place to suggest...
Dec 18th, 2001, 07:30 AM
#7
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How about New Hope, PA or one of the towns in the upper Hudson Valley? You can start by looking at newhopepa.com or hvnet.com. Cape May is a good idea, but may be a lot closer to a 4 hour (or more) drive depending on where on the island you live. Good luck.
Dec 18th, 2001, 05:13 PM
#9
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Elizabeth and Susan, I have done research on the Mohonk Mountain House and agree with Susan that, although it is beautiful, somplace more intimate would be more what we are looking for.
For those of you who recommend Cape May, could you please tell me about the activities and sites during the winter months. I know lots about the area during the summer, but have never been there during the winter.
Also, what is there to see and do in Stockbridge other than the Norman Rockwell Museum? I know that the Berkshires are wonderful during the summer when there are many festivals going on, and the area is gorgeous during the fall, but what about the winter?
Thanks to everyone for the replies. Any additional recomendations will be appreciated.
For those of you who recommend Cape May, could you please tell me about the activities and sites during the winter months. I know lots about the area during the summer, but have never been there during the winter.
Also, what is there to see and do in Stockbridge other than the Norman Rockwell Museum? I know that the Berkshires are wonderful during the summer when there are many festivals going on, and the area is gorgeous during the fall, but what about the winter?
Thanks to everyone for the replies. Any additional recomendations will be appreciated.
Dec 18th, 2001, 06:08 PM
#10
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I've been to Cape May in the summer only, but I remember brochures about a Christmastime gaslight tour on a little trolley that sounded really nice. I believe the great Victorian places decorate themselves up for the holiday.
There is a famous place to stay that we started calling the Maytag, which is not its name, but which is where I'd stay in the winter. It is amazingly beautiful, restored on a museum level of conservatorship. It used to be a gentlemen's gambling club. Let's see if someone knows the real name.
There is a famous place to stay that we started calling the Maytag, which is not its name, but which is where I'd stay in the winter. It is amazingly beautiful, restored on a museum level of conservatorship. It used to be a gentlemen's gambling club. Let's see if someone knows the real name.
Dec 18th, 2001, 06:49 PM
#12
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The Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck NY along the Hudson.Antiques everywhere,good restaurants, including Le Petit something right there in town
-old mansions to tour,wineries to tour and taste,views of the Hudson that are breathtaking,the hotel is the oldest inn in America..there is a big fireplace in the lobby, go upstairs to rooms with four poster beds, extremely charming,warm,and cozy,they leave a decanter of sherry and two glasses in your room..there is a pub in the inn.It is not quite 2 hrs from the city, just past Poughkeepsie..C
-old mansions to tour,wineries to tour and taste,views of the Hudson that are breathtaking,the hotel is the oldest inn in America..there is a big fireplace in the lobby, go upstairs to rooms with four poster beds, extremely charming,warm,and cozy,they leave a decanter of sherry and two glasses in your room..there is a pub in the inn.It is not quite 2 hrs from the city, just past Poughkeepsie..C
Dec 19th, 2001, 08:02 AM
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Lisa,
How about a visit to central Connecticut? There is a great B&B in Simsbury (about 20 minutes northwest of Hartford) called Merrywood. The hosts are very charming and I hear the breakfast is fantastic. There is a great museum nearby in Farmington, CT called Hill-Stead Museum. It is a historic home with a stunning collection of french impressionist paintings (degas, monet, manet), Japanese woodblock prints, and Chinese porcelain. The house (mansion really) has been left the way it was when the owner died in the 40's and you feel like you are visiting someone in their home. There is also a 1 acre sunken garden and 152 acres of hiking trails, fields, and a pond. This museum is worth the trip by itself but there are many other museums and activities in the area.
How about a visit to central Connecticut? There is a great B&B in Simsbury (about 20 minutes northwest of Hartford) called Merrywood. The hosts are very charming and I hear the breakfast is fantastic. There is a great museum nearby in Farmington, CT called Hill-Stead Museum. It is a historic home with a stunning collection of french impressionist paintings (degas, monet, manet), Japanese woodblock prints, and Chinese porcelain. The house (mansion really) has been left the way it was when the owner died in the 40's and you feel like you are visiting someone in their home. There is also a 1 acre sunken garden and 152 acres of hiking trails, fields, and a pond. This museum is worth the trip by itself but there are many other museums and activities in the area.
Dec 19th, 2001, 04:25 PM
#17
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Thanks to everyone for the great tips!
c -I have heard of the Beekman Arms. One of our friends lives in Poughkeepsie. Is Rhinebeck more quaint than Poughkeepsie? Just wondering because, when I visit my friend in Poughkeepsie, it seems very suburbanish. We are looking for a quaint small town with some activities. Old mansions are up my alley (not really hubby's), but we both enjoy wineries. This place sounds like it is worth looking into. Thanks.
Howard -Thanks for the phone number!
Anthony, the museum you mentioned does sound very interesting. It sounds like it has beautiful grounds. Does it pay to visit during the winter, or would it be more worth a visit during the spring or summer?
Michelle, Newport is actually a wonderful place to go, and does fit exactly what we are looking for, except that we went 2 years ago. We stayed at a B&B and had a wonderful time. There is plenty to do, or you can do nothing at all. Also, good dining. I was considering going back but we'd really like to try someplace new.
c -I have heard of the Beekman Arms. One of our friends lives in Poughkeepsie. Is Rhinebeck more quaint than Poughkeepsie? Just wondering because, when I visit my friend in Poughkeepsie, it seems very suburbanish. We are looking for a quaint small town with some activities. Old mansions are up my alley (not really hubby's), but we both enjoy wineries. This place sounds like it is worth looking into. Thanks.
Howard -Thanks for the phone number!
Anthony, the museum you mentioned does sound very interesting. It sounds like it has beautiful grounds. Does it pay to visit during the winter, or would it be more worth a visit during the spring or summer?
Michelle, Newport is actually a wonderful place to go, and does fit exactly what we are looking for, except that we went 2 years ago. We stayed at a B&B and had a wonderful time. There is plenty to do, or you can do nothing at all. Also, good dining. I was considering going back but we'd really like to try someplace new.
Dec 19th, 2001, 06:39 PM
#18
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Lisa, There is a world of difference in Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie..having been to P, you know how it is that big highway and malls, Rhinebeck is all old homes,wonderful Victorians and stately manor homes, and of course the huge estates like the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, that you pass on the way to Rhinebeck.It is a charming town, there are a couple of great places to stay, besides the Inn you can stay in Delamater House which is owned by the Beekman Arms but is away from it, they have fireplaces in the rooms, big 4 poster beds, more modern rooms,but very nice..we stayed last January when it was all snowy, it was great and I think pretty affordable.Red Hook the next town north is also full of old homes and some charm..It is a great area for a weekend, we go all the time.(I think the Beekman Arms is online,ck and see)
Dec 20th, 2001, 04:28 PM
#19
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c -Thanks for the additional info. The Beekman Arms sounds good. I visited their website but was a little confused about which room types are in which buildings. I guess I'll have to call. And a very good selling point is that it is close so that we won't have to waste too much of our mini-vacation traveling. The only drawback is that the inn does not include breakfast as a traditional B&B would. Do you have an idea of the cost for breakfast, or could you suggest any other restaurants for breakfast? Also, I know that the Culinary Institute has several restaurants. Can you recommend one more than another? Do you think it is too late to get reservations there? Thank you so much for your valuable information.
Dec 20th, 2001, 04:39 PM
#20
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My husband and I were just at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, MD. It was fabulous. It is owned by the Orient Express Chain and was purchased from the widower of Laura Ashley. It's in a very quaint town, right on the Chesapeake Bay- indoor pool, exercise room, sauna, steam room, English tea- but the dining room is its signiture- world class gourmet food, a renowned chef, a tasting menu to die for and an impeccable wine list.
We plan to return in the summer after the spring renovations are finished- they plan on adding a world-class spa and tennis courts.
We plan to return in the summer after the spring renovations are finished- they plan on adding a world-class spa and tennis courts.
