Everyone wants to feel special once in a while, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day and other special occasions.
Read on to discover the most romantic hotel experiences around the world as remembered by expert travelers.
Would one of them be a good fit for you and your special someone?
I was deciding where to stay in Boston for a conference when I became utterly enchanted by Mandarin Oriental Boston. My senses were uplifted by an intoxicating fragrance the moment I stepped through the door at 776 Boylston Street. The scent placed somewhere between freshly baked cookies and the luscious center of a fragrant rose. It begged me to stay.
Falmouth Massachusetts is one of the best destinations on Cape Cod. Situated on the southern coast of what’s called the “Upper Cape,” it boasts multiple inlets that create miles and miles of coastal access, beautiful beaches, and waterfront properties along the Atlantic Ocean. That’s just one reason I loved staying at Inn on the Sound, a luxurious bed and breakfast in Falmouth.
Orleans, Massachusetts is just under an hour from the Bourne Bridge in Cape Cod and a perfect lower Cape escape.
It is home to beaches on both the Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and is a treasure trove of excellent dining, art galleries, and unique shops. You‘ll also find hiking spots and kettle ponds carved into the earth by ancient glaciers. (See the Orleans Bonus Section at the end of this post for a list of things to see and do!)
Orleans is part of what’s considered the “Lower Cape,” which also includes Brewster, Chatham, and Harwich. It’s a great base for further exploration of the Cape.
That was exactly our pleasure during an off-season getaway, where my friend Jim and I experienced Orleans in a way many “summer people” don’t.
Regardless of which season you visit Cape Cod–whether it’s the slower pace of the off-season or the warm beachy summer months, we know you will enjoy the chic hospitality of The Parsonage Inn.
My friend Jim and I set out one weekend to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Stockbridge is part of the Berkshires, clear across the state from my south-of-Boston home. In fact, it’s next to the last town in Western Massachusetts before you’re in upstate New York. But, with Rockwell’s original works on display and a chance to see his final studio, we knew it would be a worthwhile trip. Plus, we were itching for a winter change of scenery. Rather than make the round trip in a day, we extended our travels to an overnight and discovered comfort and foodie heaven at The Inn at Sweet Water Farm.
In a tranquil Cape Cod neighborhood steps from the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find a casual beach resort with comforts of home. Here, a footpath perfumed by beach roses and gentle seagrass invites you to a private beach. Adirondack and lounge chairs wait beside the fixings for a campfire on the beach. You’ll take in panoramic views of Nantucket Sound and Monomoy National Wildlife Preserve. Sound good? Welcome to Chatham Tides where I spent a restorative waterfront weekend in Chatham, Massachusetts.
One weekend, our blended family of six piled into the car and road-tripped north for a weekend getaway to Manchester Vermont. Our destination? The Wilburton Inn, a hilltop Tudor-style mansion with several private villas, was a great Manchester Vermont lodging option for us.
I couldn’t have been happier with the accommodations at this adorable two-bedroom cottage located on East Sandwich beach just steps from the ocean. Owners Tom and Ellen went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed for an off-season weekend stay at their property, which has breathtaking views of the ocean. This space offers comfort, peace, and privacy, and is ideal as a beachy getaway for 1 to 6 people on- or off-season.
