These out-of-the-way inns and boutique accommodations are big on fresh air, low on guest count, and within a few hours' drive of Philly.
Ledges Hotel is one of several nearby socially distant getaways to try. Photograph courtesy Ledges Hotel
Check out these out-of-the-way inns and boutique accommodations for your next getaway.
Hawley
Distance from Philly: 2.5 hours
The Poconos were on the verge of a renaissance before the pandemic hit. At this 20-room hotel set right against a waterfall, you’ll have easy access to the best of the region: outdoor fun galore at Lake Wallenpaupack and the Lackawaxen River, plus the main street of nearby Honesdale, the current center of small-town cool in Northeastern PA. Whether it’s IRL or online, shop at Gather, and be sure to grab food from Native, a modern American restaurant run by former Barbuzzo staffers. From $168 per night; ledgeshotel.com.
Elizabethtown
Distance from Philly: 1.5 hours
If you’ve spent quarantine bingeing Tiny House Nation (just us?), try out downsizing for real at this campground-style resort near Lancaster. Available in a variety of sizes and styles from a variety of builders, the 35 rentable abodes all come equipped with contactless check-in, wi-fi and — praise be — working plumbing. On the property, you’ll enjoy fishing ponds, fire pits and yard games aplenty. You can also bring bikes and hit the nearby Conewago Recreation Trail. From $75 per night; tiny-estates.com.
Inside a tiny home at Tiny Estates. Photograph courtesy Tiny Estates.
Gaithersburg, MD
Distance from Philly: 2.25 hours
Love Beach Plum Farm but want to avoid crowded Cape May? Book a stay at this B&B-style compound where your crew can hike, fish, ride bikes, and hang with alpacas without leaving the 500-acre property. (While communal breakfast is on hold, each party is supplied with a generous welcome basket.) The only real reason to venture out is the craft brewery scene: Waredaca, Brookeville Beer Farm and Elder Pine all sit less than five miles away. From $1,500 per night per group (eight-person maximum); tusculumfarm.com.
St. Michaels, MD
Distance from Philly: 2 hours
For fun on the water, this 78-room stunner, currently booking seven days a week at reduced capacity, offers sailing and yacht excursions on its own private inlet of the Chesapeake. (If the white columns look familiar, it’s because they were the backdrop for when Owen Wilson met Rachel McAdams in Wedding Crashers.) While you’re there, the locally sourced crabcakes are a must — and best enjoyed at sunset in the back lawn’s many Adirondack chairs. Additional activities include tennis and golf. From $595 per night; innatperrycabin.com.
Tusculum Farm. Photograph by Heather Rob.
Smithfield Township
Distance from Philly: 2 hours
This may go down as the year of coronavirus, but it’s also the year environmental org American Rivers declared the Delaware the best river in the country (something we, of course, have known all along). Take full advantage while limiting space sharing with Shawnee’s waterside and island glamping tents; you can roll right out of a real bed to guided hikes, private archery sessions, a private campfire, and rentable croquet and bocce ball. From $99 per night; shawneeinn.com.
Bedford, NY
Distance from Philly: 2.5 hours
Co-owned by Richard Gere (yes, that Richard Gere), this luxe eight-bedroom property has all the trappings of a celeb’s country estate — claw-foot tubs, bedroom fireplaces, Frette linens, a lap pool — plus a sun-drenched yoga loft. (Bedford is spacing room reservations by one day to allow for extra cleaning.) Though the on-site restaurants won’t reopen until state restrictions lift, the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges Vongerichten — head chef at Philly’s posh new Four Seasons — is offering Seamless just up the road. From $575 per night; bedfordpostinn.com.
Oysters at The Inn at Perry Cabin. Photograph courtesy The Inn at Perry Cabin
New Hope
Distance from Philly: 45 minutes
Coronavirus pushed the opening of this 36-room property from spring to midsummer, but you’ll be well taken care of when it starts welcoming visitors. (The hospitality group behind Shore resort the Reeds at Shelter Haven is also responsible for this one.) Close enough for a one-night getaway, Odette’s will offer farm-to-table cuisine sourced right in Bucks and strong whiskey cocktails to loosen you up for sing-alongs in the piano bar. Sober up with a peaceful riverfront walk before heading home the next morning. From $289 per night; riverhousenewhope.com.
Maurice River Township
Distance from Philly: 1 hour
The most secluded option in Lokal’s “invisible service” empire, this three-bedroom cabin comes pre-stocked with toiletries and Rival Bros. coffee and sleeps a CDC-approved total of eight. Get groceries on the way out of town, then settle in for a low-key weekend of Green Egg grilling, Jacuzzi hangs, and movie marathons on the giant projector screen. (Books and board games have been removed for health purposes.) It’s like all the good parts of quarantine but with a beautiful woodsy backdrop. From $310 per night; staylokal.com.
Stone Ridge, NY
Distance from Philly: 3 hours
Located in the central Hudson Valley, this stylish 25-room inn is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the nearby towns of Kingston, Rhinebeck and Hudson. Rather commune with nature? Hit the trails (Hasbrouck sits on 50 acres of lush greenery), book a private yoga session on the patio, hang by the pool, or head to nearby Minnewaska State Park or Mohonk Preserve. (Hasbrouck guests are granted free access to both.) From $245 per night; hasbrouckhouseny.com.
Middleburg, VA
Distance from Philly: 3.25 hours
Main Liners bummed by the cancellation of this year’s in-person Devon Horse Show should plan their next escape in the rolling hills of Virginia hunt country. Distance is easy to come by at the Southern-style Goodstone Inn, where 18 rooms are spread over six cottages on 265 bucolic acres. (Goodstone is booking just one party per cottage as an extra precaution.) Want to ride? The Salamander equestrian center is just 10 minutes south. From $650 per night; goodstone.com.
by SARAH ZLOTNICK - philly mag
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255 PINE STREET
