Romantic weekend getaways in the southeast?
 

My husband and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and I would like suggestions on where to go for a 4 day weekend (thurs-sun) in late Sept. for just the two of us. I am fine with flying somewhere but given the fact that we only have 4 days, I don't want to spend most of it in the air or airport, so I guess that may keep us in the southeast. We'd be willing to spend some money to stay in a very nice hotel and although I considered the Ritz in Miami or Key Biscayne, we don't want to deal with crowds and noise. Someplace luxurious and relaxing would be wonderful. I would welcome any suggestions.

What about Charleston, SC? I can't offer specific suggestions there, but it's on my list for that sort of getaway!

We actually went there a few years ago and I think it was a 7 hour drive. Am hoping to hop on a plane and be somewhere within an hour or two and then just get to our hotel and relax. I really wanted to go to the Breakers in Palm Beach and it's been fully booked for the weekend we want to go since early summer so am trying to figure out what to do next. I've even thought of Chicago, NY or even Michigan but my husband loves to relax at the beach so have gone back to the Florida idea again. (We've been to the Ritz on Ameilia Island, as well as Key West, Sanibel and the Seaside/Watercolor areas and want to try something new.)

If you've been to a lot of beach resorts, why not try the mountains? Like the Biltmore or the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. I've stayed at the GPI and "luxurious and relaxing" seems to fit. It's beautiful.

Short flight or drive from WHERE?

We live in Birmingham, Alabama.

We have been to a lot of beach resorts which my husband loves... I do too but would consider other places.

Savanna is AWESOME and you can also go to the beach---the gastonian b&b is great

also north fork of long island(north side of the hamptons) is really nice too--look into flying into macarthur airport but you'd need a car

We've been to the Cloister, Jekyll Island and Savannah and all are around a 7 hour drive. I actually was thinking about the Hamptons because we went to a wedding there in late September many years ago and it was lovely. I have a feeling though that our best bet will still be someplace in Florida. I guess what I really want is advice on a great hotel/place in Florida to go to that we can reach pretty directly. (I love Key West but again, we can't get there directly without paying an arm and a leg.) Other possibilities are Naples (maybe the Ritz) and/or someplace in the Miami area but not sure where as we want something very relaxing, not loud and noisy.

Amelia Island (you can fly into JAX)& there is a Ritz there is you are so inclined, I'd stay @ a B & B in the Old Town, or the Keys.

The Ritz in Naples. Somewhere on Marco. New Orleans. The Inn at Turtle Creek in Texas. Blackberry Hill in Tennessee. Some nice B&B on the Parkway. Kiawah. Fly to Charleston.

I have actually considered all of those places (except NO because we used to live there), and was actually thinking about the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Texas as a possibility but was wondering if it would still be too hot in late September?

Watch "GREY GARDENS" with Jessica Lange, and then go to The Hamptons!

Consider Blackberry Inn, in Walland, TN just outside Maryville and Knoxville. Wonderful place and lots of room to get "lost" together on the inn's beautiful grounds.

Tampa should be a short flight for you and we dearly love St Pete Beach

Consider Don CeSar in St Pete: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/hotels.../overview.aspx

OR

http://www.tradewindsresort.com/

My immediate first thoughts were also Blackberry Farm in the Smokies or the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The mountains can get crowded in the fall, but late September is before peak leaf season, so hopefully it wouldn't be bad. I have not been able to stay at either place, but have heard nothing but great things about both.

Please, please, please look at the website for Little Palm Island (in the keys)(www.littlepalmisland.com...tons of $$, but it feels like you on a South Pacific Island & is truly the most romantic getaway I can imagine. If possible, upgrade to the bigger bungalow that has the hot tub on the balcony---absolutely amazing-rained the entire time we were there & we didn't care! If my memory serves me, there are only about 20 bungalows on the island...which is only accessible by YOUR boat or their elegant antique wooden ferry boat...I simply cannot rave enough about this place! We have been VERY fortunate to travel quite a bit but this place is absolutely my FAVORITE!!!


Secondly, if the above does not float your boat, I'd recommend checking the website for Acqualina Resort in Sunny Isles (just north of Miami)...if you get the chance, read the reviews on Tripadvisor--they sound amazing & romantic...hoping to go this weekend, maybe I can give you a better update in a few days....I hate to recommend based on someone elses's review & not my personal experience, but I spent about an hour going through each review & it was so consistent & all visitors were simply blown away by the quality of service & beauty of the resort.

PScott, I am curious where you have enjoyed the most out of your former beach excursions? We love the small oceanfront cottages in Seaside, but with the oil spill have canceled our plans there this September. If you have any favorites from your travels, I'd welcome the recommendations.

Re: your trip...You mentioned the Mansion on Turtle Creek; I haven't been there personally, but I have been to another Rosewood property that was wonderful. Their brand seems to consistently get good reviews online.

Please don't believe there's oil in Northwest Florida. The beaches in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, South Walton, are gorgeous with no oil! The media makes it sound like we all have it, but we don't. Tourism has really been hurt bad in North Florida and it's a shame. There are some great deals right now on beachfront rentals.

Do you really want to be planning a trip to the coast of Florida during prime hurricane season?