Friends Lake Inn in Chestertown, NY is a wonderful hideaway at the base of the Adirondacks. It has lovely rooms, excellent cuisine, and a wine bar (with great beer on tap if you lean toward beer). Lots of hiking trails; the lake is just across the road, and lots of neat day drives can be taken. www.friendslakeinn.com

Another is the Windham Hill Inn in southern VT. It's also one of our favorites in an absolutely gorgeous countryside setting. http://www.windhamhill.com/

I have done reviews on these and others at http://www.scubamom.com/travels/inns/index.html

What about the places in Lenox Mass. like the Blantyre, Wheatleigh, Canyon Ranch??

Here is a place I highly recommend: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (www.nemacolin.com). It is just south of the Pittburgh area, near the Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwaters House -- which is the main reason we went there. What a great place to stay for a summer resort! They have just about everything to do and the place is just fabulous. It is a huge resort over many, many acres that offers golfing, swimmin, horseback riding, ATV riding and trails, skeet shooting, several fine restaurants, and a great spa. We went for 4th July weekend and they had a fantastic fireworks show. It's in a beautiful wooded area. We would definitely go back again.

The Wauwinet on Nantucket. Its just as pretty in person. I would go in early August as the ocean will be warmer. You can fly there from Newark airport and avoid all of the traffic. Renting a car is a must. If you plan on doing any off road driving make sure you rent a four wheel drive SUV. Not all of the rental SUV's are four wheel drive.
http://www.wauwinet.com/

I would have to agree that the Point is worth every penny. Our favorite place used to be Glendorn but everything has changed and not for the better. I was on their site recently to check availability and for any summer pacakages and all I saw was they are now doing guided deer hunting, turkey hunting, and pheasant hunting on property. Not sure how challenging it would be to shoot a deer or wild turkey on a fenced-in estate. If I were a non-hunter, I would be annoyed to be awakened by gun shots. Plus their prices were increased to almost 30% over last year. I am looking forwarded to our July visit to the restored Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA. A Donald Ross golf course, mineral springs and spa, and no hunting allowed.

How about the Emerson in Mt. Tremper, NY-central NY

Thanks for the referral for Emerson. I remember when they had that huge fire and glad they re-opened. I had forgotten about them.

We're at the Emerson as we speak. It's very nice. Beautiful country up here. Elegant hotel. And if you need "civilization" Woodstock is nearby. Back toward Kingston is a great barbecue place-Hickory.

How about The Greenbrier.
http://www.greenbrier.com/site/

For relaxation, just lounge on the gorgeous grounds, on your own porch if you stay in one of the cottage, or by the infinity pool.

Some of the activities available are Falconry, Off-Road Driving, Fishing, Gourmet Cooking Classes, Skeet shooting, Hiking, Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Billiards, Bunker Tour, Croquet, Interior Historical Tour, Mountain Biking, Movies, Picnic, Spa, Tennis, and Wine Tastings.

The Greenbrier is big, HOWEVER, if you stay in one of the cottages, it is like your own little world. There are different types of cottages available.
http://www.greenbrier.com/site/accommodations-list.aspx

We usually stay in a Paradise Row cottage. There is a long shared front porch and a private/secluded back porch.

They keep changing their policy so I don't know what it is now - the last I knew you could either get your meals included in the price of your room or you could just get the room only rate.

The Greenbrier does offer Specials Packages at itmes of about $300 per night. Look on their website.

There was an article recently on the Greenbrier and how the unions have been working without a contract. Several of the large business/convention groups have re-booked up the road to The Homestead due to labor concerns at the Greenbrier. I do agree that the cottages are wonderful and it is a place that you should experience.

-- Just saw Bedford Springs mentioned in the WSJ:
http://www.bedfordspringsresort.com/

My spouse and I cannot wait to visit Bedford Springs (where my parents honeymooned in 1948, btw). This historical resort been completely renovated and refurbished this year. It is in a beautiful setting with a magnificent golf course.

My mother and her friends often drive from Johnstown to lunch at the Bedford Springs Hotel. They think it is very elegant and very much worth the money. I think you're in for a treat.

Nemacolin is amazing. We were there for the PGA tournament that used to be held there and were chatting with the parents of one of the golfers. Mom said the accomodations and hospitality were beyond luxurious. She was in awe of the resort, and considering all the places she's traveled to see her son compete, I took that as a positive!

I would select Bedford Springs over Nemacolin. Nemacolin doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up. It is sprawling, different styles of architecture and the indifferent service staff is all over the board depending on the day. Chateau LaFayette replicating the Hotel Ritz in Paris...in western PA?? Money doesn't mean you have good taste.

There are HUGE time gaps between various posts here. Where is nyer -- whose last post was in Dec. -- and where did they decide to go?

Wow,wonder what made this post back to the top after all this time?

Brother and sister in law have still not finalized their plans, but are leaning toward a place on Cape Cod recommended by a co-worker(friend of a friend's house, I think)

Thanks for all your suggestions, though. I may use some of these ideas myself

WesternPA, I'd certainly prefer Bedford Springs for the history and scenery, but some people do like glitz, e.g., Las Vegas, and a previous poster listed a lot of fun things to do there. To each his own.