diart

I am looking for a very special place from now until the end of the year to tell my husband some great news. We will probably only be there for 3-4 days. Prefer the East Coast but will consider anywhere in the continental U.S. Here's a wish list but not necessary:

1) Small cottage/inn/B&B as long as it is on the beach, has a great view of the ocean, & private bath.

2) Close to town with eclectic shops & restaurants.

3) Looking for R&R since we never rest while on vacation. Shopping, boating, watching sports, sightseeing, theater, museums, kayaking, etc. are considered R&R. (skiing, hiking, rock climbing, etc. are not! LOL)

4) We love big cities so I will consider any. My husband has never been to Boston.

Even though I have this wish list I will consider anything you want to suggest. We enjoy going to my parent's cabin in the woods. Considering the time of year that I am talking about a cabin in the woods might make more sense. :-\

Thanks for any help you can provide.

BuzzyJ

The White Barn Inn, Kennebunkport, Maine; The Arundel Inn, Kennebunkport, Maine; The Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. All are close to Portland, Maine, a terrific little city with lots to offer, including a great art museum.

BuzzyJ

Me again. I forgot to mention that the shops in Dock Square, Kennebunkport, meet your "eclectic shops" requirement, specifically Carrot & Co., Abacus, and Compliments.

diart

Thanks, BuzzyJ. I guess I should mention, money IS an object. I hope not to have to spend more than $200/incl. tax & fees per night. Anymore?

BuzzyJ

OK, well, that does change things a little bit. There's a place on Kennebunk Beach called The Ocean View; and there's a place called Tides Inn on Goose Rocks Beach. Do you know yet what time of year you are travelling? That will have a lot to do with rates.

stellaluna

How about Nantucket Island?
Very special place and the rates do drop after the end of the summer season. Some people think Fall is the best season of all to be on Nantucket...beaches are beautiful, water still warm, restaurants and shops open and not as crowded....

sweet_thang

I would suggest anywhere on the outer banks of North Carolina... Wrightsville beach is a little more developed, but it is really nice, and you will have access to tons of shopps... Ocracoke is also very nice, has several nice B&B's but it is much more of an "away from it all" it is a very small island that is only accessable by ferry. If you are looking for something in between, you should check out Naggs Head or Cape Hatterass, they all have beautiful beaches...(IMHO, the NC beaches are the best in the US) and each has it's own pluses and minuses... they are all relativley cheap... orbitz runs flight deals into RDU all the time, and the Wilmington airport has just gotten some new routes from either US or american... If you have any more specific questions, about a specific local or hotel, cottage, B&B, I can probably help you, i grew up in NC and know the coast really well...

sgorces

This is a long ways from the East Coast and not quite even in the Continental US, but very close. I love Yellow Point Lodge near Naniamo British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Canada. The piece of property is 150 acres almost entirely on a rock outcropping in the Straight of Georgia. Rooms are in the Lodge, or better yet, in intimate, pretty cabins with pot-belly stoves on the bluffs just above the crashing waves. Victoria is a great visit and beautiful big city of Vancouver (home of the 2010 Olympic Games) is just a ferry ride away.

Scarlett

How about Montauk or East Hampton? So beautiful off season ! right up until November the shops are open in EH, the town is great, more than enough hotels, B&B's and great restaurants. You can take long walks on the beaches, go to an art house movie at night then eat in a fine restaurant. You can shop if you feel like it or just laze around. There are some places right along the Old Montauk Highway that have fireplaces.
Is it possible that you can tell us the good news first

2bamafan

Of the 200 most populous cities in the US, Charleston has my vote as the most romantic. I recommend staying at the charming Planters Inn. It's perfectly located and has been mentioned several times in Conde Nast Traveler. Charleston makes for a wonderful 3 to 4 day vacation. You might want to consider staying in Charleston for 2 nights and then staying 2 additional nights on the beach at the Kiawah Island Resort.

diart

A big thanks to you guys and all of your suggestions. I have tried to respond sooner but I've got the worm -- my COMPUTER has worms, that is. LOL.

Scarlett, as far the good news goes, there isn't any yet. I am just planning ahead. Men sometimes wisk their lady to some romantic locale to propose. I decided to wisk my husband away when/if we become pregnant to tell him the good news.

We just started trying this month but I have always thought about doing this. I have warned him a few times that sometimes I am going to kidnap him. Keep your fingers crossed, Okay?

Scarlett

Oh !! Thank you for sharing that!! How exciting and wonderful.
Well, good luck and you must let all of your close and personal friends here know when it happens too Good Luck ~

diart

I will do just that.... if/when. Thanks for the positive vibes. I should also consider somewhere closer to home (TX) just in case my Dr. advises so. Too bad the Tx coast isn't very pretty -- at least what I have seen. I will probably post a question to find backup closer to Austin. (Gotta be practical)

artchik

I second the recommendation for Charleston. There aren't any B&B type places right on the beach, but every other wish on your list will be met. And the beach is a very short (15 minute) drive from town, so you can always do a day trip. The closest B&B to the water is 2 Meeting Street Inn, which is right on the harbor. You might also look into the Elliot House for a really cute, romantic B&B.

Congratulations in advance- let us know when it happens!

RLA

I second artchik regarding Charleston. The two mentioned are two of the best. We stayed at Two Meeting St. and quickly knew we made a good choice reinforced by the fact that people are constantly going by gawking. The staff is very gracious and the place was lovely. Another nearby place that is most impressive is a waterfront Italianite (pink?)mansion. Maybe someone knows the name - it escapes me. Either it wasn't for guests at the time or somehow we missed knowing, but I have since seen on the local tourism website there that you can stay there.

We went in early Sept. and the weather was perfect. So many good things to see and do there. We were SO glad we had rented a convertible, because it maximized the view of the beautiful buildings and homes and they were something to look at!

We had our anniversary dinner at the Peninsula Grill seated in the beautiful courtyard. When we made reservations, they asked about if it was a special ocassion. Food was really fantastic. After dinner, they treated us to a fabulous coconut cake decorated with anniversary wishes.

You might consider Savannah, GA. Another great place we liked just as much.

Much further north in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I fell in love with Mt. Washington. What a place!

joan

Best of luck to you diart with your sneaky plans!

Since nobody has mentioned Florida, which should be very easy to get to from Tx, how about Anna Maria Island? My husband and I just returned from a mini-vacation there. You could fly into Tampa, rent a car, and drive about an hour south to get there. October, November & December are absolutely beautiful. We stayed in a beachfront cottage that was adorable, with skylights, sauna/hot tub, full kitchen, pool, etc. Really nice for $193/night (AAA rate). There are shops and great restaurants in the area, although you will need a car for most of them. Sunsets are awesome too.

Here's the URL: (check out unit 116 - that's the one we rented!)
http://www.bungalowbeach.com/index.html

Marci_77

I agree that Charelston would be a great choice. The downtown area which everyone refered to isn't on the beach though.
I would also encourage you to check out Amelia Island, Florida on the Atlantic side. The Elizabeth Point Lodge is right on the ocean and the town of Fernandina would meet all your requirements except for the big city one. The Jacksonville airport is about 30 minutes away.
For something a little closer to home, you could consider something in the panhandle--perhaps Seaside, or Watercolor?

southernbelle

Have you heard of the Hendersonville Inn B&B right on the beach near Destin, FLA? It is wonderful there and offers everything from scenic beauty and peacefulness to excellent dining/nightlife and shopping in the area. Make dinner reservations at the famous "Criolla's" and enjoy yourselves! Not too far from Texas, either, and gorgeous in the fall!