We Used To Vacation

Earlier this week, I was reading a Dailycandy e-newsletter devoted to three recommendations for weekend getaways within driving distance of New York City. Oh how I long for a weekend getaway! I love each and every stage: the planning of excursions to local restaurants or exhibitions, the mini road-trip complete with themed mixtape, the crisp sheets of a well-made bed and luxe miniature toiletries in the hotel/b&b bath, the unfamiliar views out of the bedroom window. It's like peeling off your own life and putting on someone else's for a few days. And yet, it's not as much of a commitment as a full-stop vay-cay. Who doesn't need that every once in a while?

While I enjoyed clicking through the sites of the B&B's that Dailycandy suggested, they didn't THRILL me. In fact, in one case I was even a little weirded out by a room that had been created inside of a helicopter. So I decided to recommend three of my own:

Mohonk Mountain House — New Paltz, NY

I have a deep, deep affection for Mohonk. It was a place I visited many times growing up to hike along the carriage trails, tackle rock scrambles, or take in the sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. More recently, my sister and her husband got engaged here. If I had to recommend just one season to go, it would have to be fall. Because the changing leaves are just beyond breathtaking. But summertime offers so many fantastic outdoor activities, like tennis and swimming and rowing, that you'd be just as well to go now. No, really, I mean it. Go now! There is also a glorious spa for those who are more into facials than foliage AND rates include three meals a day plus Afternoon Tea and Cookies! Sure, dinner requires a jacket for the men and a dress for the ladies, but this place FEEDS you with royal buffets: Some themed banquets include Western Hoe-Down, Hawaiian Luau or GermanOktoberfest! Plus, I kind of love the unself-conscious traditionalism. Fun fact: Rumor has it, Stephen King wrote part of The Shining while staying here.

Kate's Lazy Meadow — Woodstock, NY

My second recommendation is just dreamy. That is, if you dream of living out your 1970s fantasy in a kitschy Catskills bungalow. As the story goes, Kate Pierson of the B-52's got bored while touring years ago and began collecting various knickknacks and home decor to pass time in between shows on the road. Eventually, when her treasures were too many too keep in storage any longer, she decided to open up her own motel in Woodstock New York and decorate it in retro-fabulous style. Over the years, the motel properties have expanded to include airstream trailers along the Esopus, a comfy 6-person cabin with a Native American artist feel and a family-friendly lodge with surrounding views of the water. Now, granted, there is no breakfast service here or any in-house restaurant of any kind for that matter. But in the cabin or lodge, you could go totally nuts in the private kitchens and prepare your own Jell-O mold or cheese balls or something else Cher would have eaten in Mermaids. And with it's 5-minute drive to Woodstock, you could be chowing down next to boho celebs in no time. Who wants to organize a group trip!? I've been dying to go here for YEARS!

The Woolverton Inn — New Hope, PA

  Located a stone's throw from the Delaware River, this beautiful B&B offers gorgeous accommodations, tranquil grounds to roam (including grazing sheep!)‚ as well as proximity to the quaint town of New Hope where you can antique to your hearts content or simply make fun of those that do. AND just so you don't leave hungry, the owners have made a name for themselves offering an inspired three-course breakfast with dishes such as Dutch Baby souffle pancake with brandied apples and maple-glazed bacon! If that doesn't taste like vacation, I don't know what does. Incidentally, after ogling the site for the umpteenth time, I found a few recipes of theirs are available for download. So if you can't make it, but want to pretend, you can literally recreate some of the delicious amenities (hello, Flaky Pina Colada Scones). If you do go, can I stow away inside your trunk? No? Not very romantic of me? Ok, fine.

Comments

[a.]

I can always tell it's Mohonk from the pictures before I read the text. We used to go there as kids!