luxury B&Bs, cabins, lodges, etc

[ESF]

We are looking to go away for a few nights in December or January. Ideal spot would be an upscale cabin or a nice B&B with a lot of amenities. We don't ski, so the preference something not a ski resort.

Other than it being somewhere within a direct flight from San Francisco/Oakland (or in driving distance), I care more about the accommodations than I do the location.

This is my dream location but at $1000+ a night and not near any major airport, it is unlikely.

duntonhotsprings.com/

Basically, I want a cheaper version of this place. But, I'm fine with it being somewhere not snowy and not all inclusive.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[basilosaurus]

You don't ski, but would you enjoy being in a snowy place where you could snow shoe? Or even just where you could have a good crackly fireplace and go between the cozy cabin and the outdoor hot tub?

And how close to an airport does it need to be? Is an hour or 2 drive acceptable?

[ESF]

Sept 28, 2012 20:04:04 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

You don't ski, but would you enjoy being in a snowy place where you could snow shoe? Or even just where you could have a good crackly fireplace and go between the cozy cabin and the outdoor hot tub?

And how close to an airport does it need to be? Is an hour or 2 drive acceptable?

Yes that sounds lovely.

2 hour drive would be OK in theory. But my biggest concern is that we land and it is snowing too hard for us to drive to the place and our vacation gets ruined.

[basilosaurus]

Then you can look into the Colorado mountains. Breckenridge is only a couple hours from the Denver airport, and you can actually get a shuttle, so you don't worry about driving. In town buses are free. We stayed at Allaire Timbers Lodge in Breck, and it was lovely and romantic. We're skiers, but we still loved coming back from the mountain for their wine hour and hot tub. Plus, close very good restaurants.

Steamboat I think is 3 hours away. I haven't stayed at a swank b&b there, just some cabins, but I'm sure there's something nice.

Vail has some nice b&bs, too, but I haven't personally stayed in any. One has a cooking school attached. Vail is definitely a happy eats town. Even if it's full of rich snobs in fur coats.

What about Santa Fe? Would there be a direct flight into Albequerque? That's a neat little town that kind of caters I think to the trip you're wanting.

Of course, there's also Hawaii. Nonstop flights to Kona and Maui I'm guessing. We stayed in a fabulous b&b on the Big Island in the rainforest near the volcano that gave us our own little hexagonal hut with an outdoor shower and o-furo.

[ESF]

Sept 29, 2012 0:48:47 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Then you can look into the Colorado mountains. Breckenridge is only a couple hours from the Denver airport, and you can actually get a shuttle, so you don't worry about driving. In town buses are free. We stayed at Allaire Timbers Lodge in Breck, and it was lovely and romantic. We're skiers, but we still loved coming back from the mountain for their wine hour and hot tub. Plus, close very good restaurants.

Steamboat I think is 3 hours away. I haven't stayed at a swank b&b there, just some cabins, but I'm sure there's something nice.

Vail has some nice b&bs, too, but I haven't personally stayed in any. One has a cooking school attached. Vail is definitely a happy eats town. Even if it's full of rich snobs in fur coats.

What about Santa Fe? Would there be a direct flight into Albequerque? That's a neat little town that kind of caters I think to the trip you're wanting.

Of course, there's also Hawaii. Nonstop flights to Kona and Maui I'm guessing. We stayed in a fabulous b&b on the Big Island in the rainforest near the volcano that gave us our own little hexagonal hut with an outdoor shower and o-furo.

Thanks for these ideas. I'll look into some of the places in CO that you mention.

We have to go to a wedding in New Mexico in March, so we might tack on a couple days in Santa Fe then.

We ruled out Hawaii because there's a tentative plan for a Caribbean cruise with my family next summer and we'd rather not do two tropical trips so close together. But what's the name of the B&B you stayed in? I could be convinced.

[basilosaurus]

www.volcanoretreat.com/

It was a great base to see the nat'l park. Hawaii is really not very similar to the Caribbean, so it wouldn't bother me personally to see both. It's not the most luxurious, but it was a really unique experience. It was totally private, too. Some b&bs you feel compelled to have long meals with the hosts and guests, which may or may not be a good thing. This one doesn't have a fancy breakfast, since they actually load it in your cooler in the evening, but I really didn't mind just eating fresh baked goodies and local delicious fruit.

[sunny]

ok so this won't work during the winter for you, but you should put this place on your list - much more affordable than your dream place and we had a fabulous time: moraine lake lodge. look it up on tripadvisor. very small setting.

[ESF]

Sept 30, 2012 16:28:52 GMT -5 sunny said:

ok so this won't work during the winter for you, but you should put this place on your list - much more affordable than your dream place and we had a fabulous time: moraine lake lodge. look it up on tripadvisor. very small setting.

Too funny you suggested this now. My cousin just returned from his honeymoon last week, and this is where they stayed for part of it. The pictures on Facebook look AMAZING.

[wanderlustfoodie]

They might be on the high side of your budget but what about the Resort at Paws Up, Triple Creek Ranch, or Amangiri?

[mdgirl]

I was just at the store and this was Seattle magazine's cover for the last issue.

Cabins | Lodges & Spas | Historic Lodges

[emilyinchile]

Just saw this on a friend's site for The Resort at Paws Up...probably still too expensive but thought I'd share: www.pawsup.com/montana-resorts/fall-airfare-credit.php

[frlcb]

Are you willing to fly East? We spent a weekend at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, about an hour from Knoxville, and it was AMAZING. The price is all inclusive except for alcohol.
www.blackberryfarm.com/

[dutchgirl678]

Lots of places here in Oregon too. Mt Hood is about an hour drive from PDX airport. The drive up is often clear and there is only snow up on the mountain. But Timberline lodge is a great place to stay at. Or if you want to be in the valley where there is no snow you could look at Skamania Lodge.

[expatpumpkin]

www.cordilleralodge.com/

We stayed here and it's beautiful. The rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and they'll start a fire for you as part of the turndown service...

[ESF]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I've looked at all of them, and many are bookmarked for future trips.

We ended up finding a VRBO that had everything we wanted (cabin, private hot tub, beautiful scenery) and was 2.5 hour drive away, and was dog friendly, and was under $200 a night, and was available for the exact dates we wanted.



So, we decided we'd just keep things simple and just go for that.

And if anyone out this way ever needs a rec for a good VRBO, PM me.