When envisioning resorts, odds are you’ll picture a beachfront property in the Caribbean or some exotic locale. While the Northeast may not have the tropical vibe, you might be at lakefront while surrounded by forest, enjoying summer activities like swimming and paddling, fall leaf-peeping, or skiing down snowy slopes, followed by a glass of wine next to a roaring fire. Or maybe you’ll be along the oceanfront watching the waves roll in. Throughout the region, from New England to New Jersey, there are many appealing options in the Northeast, including these.
Woodstock Inn & Resort - Woodstock, Vermont
One of the best resorts in Vermont, The Woodstock Inn & Resort is also one of the best in New England. Dating all the way back to the 18th century, the grounds alone are worth a stay with lush gardens, hiking trails (including paths that will bring you to the charming village of Woodstock), a highly acclaimed 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts. After a day of play, come back and relax at the massive spa and then feed your appetite at one of the multiple on-site restaurants. Your room provides a peaceful retreat for a good night’s sleep with beds that have handmade quilts and plenty of modern essentials like Keurig coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs.
Omni Mount Washington Resort - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Tucked into the White Mountains, the grand Omni Mount Washington is centered around a 1902 Spanish Renaissance building. One of New England’s most famous luxury properties, it offers a wide range of facilities on-site from a huge spa to an indoor pool and hot tub. There’s a long list of activities that can be enjoyed too, including golfing on one of two courses, hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, and skiing. Dining options are impressive too, including Stickneys Steak & Chop Pub with a meat-focused menu and the main dining room, which serves classic New England fare. There are a variety of room options, including some with gas fireplaces and panoramic mountain views.
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina - Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Located at a marina overlooking the Connecticut River estuary, Saybrook Point Resort is a boutique property with lots of amenities on-site, including a fitness club that has indoor and outdoor pools. There’s a full-service spa for pampering treatments, salon services, and a seafood restaurant too. The wide array of rooms and suites is spread through the main building and two historic Italianate guesthouses with uniquely designed rooms named for local celebrities. Book the Katharine Hepburn for a four-poster bed and a large fireplace. The Lighthouse Suite is unique, designed like a lighthouse while sitting right on the water.
Topnotch Resort - Stowe, Vermont
Boasting a location right at the bottom of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Topnotch Resort and Spa offers year-round activities, from hiking and horseback riding to leaf-peeping and skiing. In autumn, you’ll be surrounded by dazzling shades of yellow, orange, and red. No matter when you’re here, after your adventures, you can indulge in treatments at the 30,000-square-foot mega-spa, including facials, custom energy healing sessions, Reiki, and Swedish massage. Private yoga sessions and fitness classes are available, and you’ll have two on-site restaurants to choose from. Rooms feature standard amenities like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Book a suite for a fireplace and a kitchenette.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort - Bedford, Pennsylvania
The Omni Bedford Springs is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, and in its over two centuries of existence, it’s hosted 10 different presidents. It’s one of the most romantic resorts in Pennsylvania and a top-rated luxury resort in the U.S., renowned for its mineral springs with eight right on the property that guests can enjoy via the Springs Eternal Spa. With miles and miles of scenic hiking trails nearby, it’s the perfect place to go to soothe those sore muscles. There is a range of restaurants to choose from, while rooms are extra spacious, and most include private balconies overlooking the picturesque grounds, with standard amenities like flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and marble bathrooms.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort - Macungie, Pennsylvania
Bear Creek Mountain Resort is a year-round destination with warmer weather activities, including disc golf, hiking, and biking. In the winter, enjoy skiing, boarding, and tubing. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a spa for enjoying treatments like the coffee and sea kelp scrub, and multiple restaurants. Mountain views can be enjoyed from many vantage points, including while dining at The Grille and in many of the spacious rooms. The higher category options come with luxe features like whirlpools or Jacuzzis and kitchenettes. Book the executive suite for floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.
Castle Hill Inn & Resort - Newport, Rhode Island
Nestled at the west end of Newport’s legendary Ocean Drive, Castle Hill Inn & Resort is set inside a 19th-century Victorian mansion on 40 acres of oceanfront. Ideal for romance seekers, look forward to ending each day with a glorious sunset while relaxing in the Adirondack chairs on the vast lawn. Enjoy gourmet dining featuring prix-fixe courses with dishes like Canadian wild boar, Georges Bank scallops, and Angus beef. Accommodation is in beach cottages and guest rooms in the mansion, many of which include lux perks like fireplaces, two-person soaking tubs, and ocean views.
Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz, New York
Located in the Catskills just 90 minutes from New York City, Mohonk Mountain House looks like a dream, set atop a cliff surrounded by striking beauty, including brilliant foliage in the fall. A National Historic Landmark dating back to 1869, this popular Upstate NY hotel sits on Lake Mohonk and offers a wide range of activities, including sports programs, workshops focused on various themes like the art of chocolate, hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and fishing. In the winter, ice skating, snowshoeing, and snow tubing are available, plus there’s an indoor pool. The all-inclusive rates also include three meals a day and evening entertainment. Accommodation is available in rooms, suites, and cottages with fireplaces and balconies with picturesque views.
Geneva on the Lake Boutique Resort Hotel - Geneva, New York
Set in an Italian-style mansion rich in history and luxury, Geneva on the Lake is on the National Register of Historic Places, dating back to 1914, and sits at the top of Seneca Lake on 10 acres with beautifully landscaped gardens. An ideal base for exploring wine country, it’s just under three miles from Ravines Wine Cellars and offers a number of complimentary perks like the use of bicycles and lawn games along with a seasonal outdoor pool and a gym. There are a dozen different room and suite options, all filled with antiques featuring flat-screen TVs, kitchens, and living rooms. Some include terraces with lake views, whirlpool tubs, or four-poster beds.
Ocean Casino Resort - Atlantic City, New Jersey
An oceanfront hotel, the Ocean Casino Resort offers an ideal stay for those looking for lots of entertainment and gaming fun. In addition to casino gambling, enjoy comedy shows, live music, MMA events, boxing, and more. There are beautiful indoor and outdoor pools and cabanas to relax in, and even a driving range. When you’re in need of some pampering, head to the on-site Exhale Spa + Bath House, often ranked among the best in the country with an extensive menu of massages, facials, and body treatments. Rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views and flat-screen TVs. For more space, book a one-bedroom suite that has a separate living room.
Montauk Manor - Montauk, New York
Located at the east end of the Long Island peninsula near beautiful beaches and lighthouses, Montauk Manor is a condo resort hotel that sits on an over 12-acre property and offers plenty for guests, including indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a health club, lavish spa, putting green, and tennis courts. La Finé, the on-site restaurant, serves delectable Italian fare and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Accommodation ranges from studio apartments to one-, two- or three-bedroom suites. All come with kitchens, and some include balconies or decks with ocean views.
Cliff House Maine - Cape Neddick, Maine
Cliff House Maine is stretched across 70 acres along the oceanfront atop Bald Head Cliffalong the southern coast of Maine. It overlooks the crashing waves and the Nubble Lighthouse and boasts an impressive spa that’s perched above the ocean with stress-melting treatments enjoyed with a spectacular view. Enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor hot tub that overlooks the Atlantic, a cinema with a mix of chairs and beanbags for seating, and a lounge that hosts live music, enjoyed around a big stone fireplace. Rooms are spacious with ultra-comfy beds, plush robes, and more ocean views.
Spruce Point Inn Resort and Spa - Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Tucked among wooded grounds along the waterfront, the Spruce Point Inn Resort and Spa offers upscale accommodation with everything from standard rooms to three-bedroom townhouses. Most have balconies or porches, and all come with standard amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minifridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. Some have luxe features like wood-burning stoves or fireplaces and soaking tubs. On the grounds, there are two outdoor pools, a hot tub, a gym, tennis courts, and a spa. A bar and multiple restaurants are on-site too.
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club - Harwich, Massachusetts
This Cape Cod resort is often named the best in Cape Cod, overlooking Pleasant Bay with access to two beaches while golf enthusiasts can enjoy one of the finest clubs in the country right at its doorstep. Enjoy a wide range of activities, with sailboats, paddleboards, and kayaks all available for rent, and there are two swimming pools along with a water playground focused around a pirate ship for the kids and the kids-at-heart. The outstanding restaurant, Twenty-Eight Atlantic, has been in operation longer than any in the state, and there are multiple other dining options too. Accommodation is in a mix of cottages, villas, and suites with well-stocked minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, charging stations, TVs, robes, and slippers.
