Fodorites Nominate Weekend Getaway
 

Would love some help from the always opinonated folks on these boards.<BR><BR>I'm planning a weekend getaway with my spouse in mid-October. Emphasis on romance. We like nice restaurants, exploring a little on foot, shopping and relaxing. I would love to find a place with a balcony, soaking tub and fireplace - although mid October we might not be able to use it. Accomodations around $ 200 per night is a target.<BR><BR>We have done Santa Fe, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, New York and Cape Cod. I wouldn't rule out going back to any of them but would like to consider someplace new.<BR>Opinions?

How about . . .<BR><BR>Sedona? I haven't been yet, but from the information I've gathered it's one of our next vacations for a romantic get-away.<BR><BR>Or how about a mountain weekend; say, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville NC, or the Greenbrier in West Virginia?

The Poconos is an area we really like. Lots of romance packages.

Bar Harbor, Maine

When you came out to SF, did you make it up to any of the fine places along the Mendicino Coast? Very close to the Calif. Wine Country, too.<BR><BR>Sounds like another place you'd find be interesting.<BR><BR>Or Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur?<BR>Mahalo,<BR>Kal

Yes, Maine is very romantic, though I like Camden. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest really are lovely, too...

I second the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Also, the Wickaninnish Inn in Vancouver sounds exactly like what you are describing.

The Sooke Harbour House on Vancouver Island fits your wants to a T. Wonderfully romantic fantastic food etc.

I agree with Sooke Harbour House.

We loved San Francisco as you can imagine. We took a day trip up to Muir Woods and Sausalito. It was a great weekend.

I definitely echo the votes for the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. It's about as romantic as you can get, especially if you stay in the historic Main Inn, which was built in 1919, out of native boulders. The Main Inn is where the lobby, bar, nightclub, and restaurant, I believe, are all located. You won't have fireplaces in your room, but you'll have them in the lobby, and each one is large enough to park a Cadillac in, and for a man to stand upright in. Something fun to look for in the lobby are the geodes set into the walls. Also in the Main Inn is a terrace with an unparalleled sweeping view of downtown Asheville's tall buildings seperated by what looks like unbroken forest, but is in reality some of the city's poshest neighborhoods. Considering the time of year you plan to visit, those forests will be ablaze with color!<BR><BR>Let's see now... your other requirments were...<BR><BR>A soaking tub. The GPI is home to a world-class spa constructed in the style of the Main Inn and has to be seen to be believed.<BR><BR>Exploring a little on foot, shopping and relaxing. Downtown Asheville is the place for you -- magnificently beautiful, eminnently walkable, and full of fun shops selling one-of-a-kind objets d'art. And there is no more romantic place in the world than downtown Asheville on a cool autumn evening, at sunset when the dying light flares off the city's dazzling architecture -- when Haywood Street is in shadow, the Basilica of St. Lawrence glows eerily at the end of it, and when Pack Square slips into cool darkness, City Hall, built of pink marble and rosy tiles, still reflects the sunlight down in City/County Plaza and glows warmly... for example.<BR>

I love all the opinions on this board. They all sound very good. I wonder about the logistics of getting there? We would be coming via air from Texas.<BR><BR>Ya'll are giving me some good thoughts to chew on.

Savanah Georgia or Charleston SC.

Where did you stay in Santa Fe? We are big fans of La Fonda.

Santa Barbara CA. Can get a bit pricey, but folks are getting Fess Parker's Doubletree Inn there, off Priceline, within your budget.<BR><BR>Check out biddingfortravel.com for the scoop about bidding on Priceline.<BR><BR>On our California coastal trip last year, SB turned out to be a delightful surprise. Wish we'd stayed longer....

I was able to stay at Fess Parker's place during a business conference a couple of years ago. It was a very nice resort but I hadn't considered it because I wanted to go somewhere new. I may need to rethink that. I have received lots of ideas.<BR><BR>Keep 'em coming please.<BR><BR>Thanks.

Can someone give a ballpark price for Grove Park Inn?

Nantucket!<BR>I know most people think to go during the summer months but - October is absolutely beautiful. The hotels and inns have cheaper prices and the restaurants are still open. And the people who live there year round are in great moods because the tourists have all left! We have spent great weekends there in October. Spending the day walking or biking the quaint streets on a crisp sunny day - gorgeous foliage....having a happy hour at a local bar and meeting new people - heading back to our room for a jacuzzi and then to a great dinner in the evening. Definitely refreshing and very romantic way to spend a long weekend.

The Grove Park Inn is VERY expensive, and where yout room faces is the determining factor ( golf, mt., etc. view) I don't know why some are saying that it is sooo romantic. Granted it is very pretty surroundings, but, there are tons of kids, and it is absolutely geared towards familys. I vote for any B&B in Boothbay harbor, Maine ( five gables inn is great!!)

Go to www.GroveParkInn.com for prices. Also, there probably will not be many children there in October.