Virginia mountain resort for DH?
 

DH has graciously agreed to so many beach vacations during our marriage... even though he's not a beach person.

So we want to try a resort in the mountains of VA this summer.

he would love any kind of outdoor activity - canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, etc.

i would love a resort with a spa.

any suggestions/recommendations?

thanks!

PS we are looking within 3-3.5 hours of DC.

thanks!

What about The Homestead in Bath County, VA. Beautiful area, my late husband's parents had a getaway cabin nearby on the Jackson River Gorge.

The Homestead is really nice. I haven't stayed there but it has an excellent reputation and if I can ever get it into my budget, I would love to go. It probably 2.5 hours from you and therefore is the best fit for your requirements.

"Mountain Lake Lodge" is in a beautiful location (and was the setting for parts of <i>Dirty Dancing</i>). Probably more like 4.5 hours from D.C.:
http://www.mtnlakelodge.com/

I have also considered Abingdon Va for a getaway as the location is beautiful and it is very close to the Creeper Trail for biking. About 5 hours from D.C. area: http://www.marthawashingtoninn.com/

You might also consider looking at the area around Sperryville, VA. There is plenty of hiking and you could bike and enjoy wineries as well. It's close to The Inn at Little Washington if you want to stay in a splurge. Otherwise there are lots of other options. But none are resort-like that I know of.

Is it Wintergreen on Massanutten Mountain? Ski resort in winter, other activities in summer. Rental condos.

The Greenbriar just over the line in WVA?

Boarshead Inn and Keswick near Charlottesville?

The Greenbriar sounds right up your alley. I would also agree with the HOmestead. We live very close to Abingdon and we love it but I am not sure there is enough for you to do there. We go to the Creeper Trail regularly to walk and ride bikes but I think the first two choices would be much better.

The Greenbrier is 248 miles from Washington.

The Homestead is 217 miles from Washington

Although it is in MD, you may want to take a look at Deep Creek Lake, 3 hrs from DC area. mountains, hiking, Day spas there.

I agree with The Greenbrier and The Homestead.

Avoid The Martha Washington Inn at any and all costs. It's old and dated and tired.

If I wasn't going to The Homestead of Greenbrier, I'd go to Primland.

http://primland.com/

There are many great restaurants and things to do off the grounds at the Greenbrier. The Greenbrier is only about eight miles from Lewisburg, WV, voted last year as America's coolest small town. Look up the Greenbrier County Chamber of Commerce. There's a seventy miles rails to trails hiking biking area between the Greenbrier and Lewisburg as well. It's a pretty easy trip, down 66 to 81 and west at Lexington on 64.

<<Avoid The Martha Washington Inn at any and all costs. It's old and dated and tired.>>

That's good to know--I have considered staying there a number of times. I'll take it off the list.

wow! what a bonanza of ideas! thank you. alas, the Greenbrier is totally BOOKED for the weekend of our anniversary, and we've already done the Homestead for another event.

Good to know about The Martha Wash Inn.

Primland may be a bit too far, but maybe not. Will look at the Charlottesville area, and I had forgotten about Deep Creek in MD. Will look there too.

Thanks so much fabulous Fodorites!

I have heard good things about Primland. Keswick Hall outside of Charlottesville has beautiful rooms, a nice spa, golf and other activities. I was there a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. Charlottesville is easily accessible as well.

I know this is out of your "range" of travel but Grove Park Inn in Asheville is wonderful! It has a great spa (rated very high on the usual lists), good food and is close to lots of activities. I just at least wanted to put this up there as an option.

It is Wintergreen but it's not on Massanutten Mt. It's 45 min from Charlottesville. (Massanutten is a different ski area near Harrisonburg.) It's a true mountain resort on top of a mountain. We've gone several times. Because it's on a mountain, there isn't any canoeing but the hiking is fabulous and there is a very nice spa.

http://wintergreenresort.com/

I love Keswick but it's really only a nice inn with very few activities besides golf and tennis.

That's true, Birdie. I did a fly fishing class, and I enjoyed it. I guess I was thinking about the offerings in the surrounding area.

Did you book the class through the resort, sum? I would love to do that with DH. I will add that the tennis pro at Keswick is excellent but so are the Wintergreen pros. I also want to add that Wintergreen can be 15 degrees cooler when Charlottesville is blistering hot.

I was thinking the same as Birdie about the charlottesville suggestions. Very nice but don't fit into the "mountain vacation" part of the request. Mountains are close but will require driving. Not the same as going somewhere like Wintergreen.

Are there any nice resorts near Blackwater Falls, WV? That's a beautiful mountain area and within their drivin distance?

Birdie- My sister booked it, and the pond we fished was on the grounds, so I assume so.