Blackberry Farm
Hidden in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is an ideal getaway for foodies and outdoorsman alike. For the former, the 9,200-acre Farm is home to one of the best restaurants in the country, The Barn by Executive Chef Joseph Lenn, and offers farm-fresh breakfasts and lunches in the Main House, two bars, culinary classes, tastings, and an actual farm. For the latter, it offers access to equestrian activities, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and fly fishing. Meanwhile, everyone can take advantage of the elegant accommodations, which range from well-furnished Estate Rooms all the way up to private cottages and even a four-bedroom house. One thing is certain: no matter what your interests, you're sure to enjoy your stay.
Algodon Mansion
Housed in a 1912 French Classical building, the Algodon Mansion might look old from the outside — but it's far from it on the inside. Completely restored, this luxury hotel — located in the upscale Recoleta district — offers ten suites, ranging from 600 to 1,300 square feet — and if that's not enough space, you could always just rent out the entire place. Other amenities include well-appointed rooms with comfortable King beds and 80-jet showers, a celebrated restaurant and lobby bar, a full-service spa, and a rooftop that boast both a pool and a Davidoff cocktail/cigar lounge.
Memory Motel
Is it a motel with a bar attached, or a bar with a motel attached? Either way, the Memory Motel is one of a kind. Set in the historical village just a block from the beach, this hallowed hangout offers 13 rooms with TV, cable, and private baths — apparently important amenities since they're listed front and center on their website — as well as an attached bar that's frequently host to live music. And if you're not up on why it's known at all, see The Rolling Stones' 1976 album Black and Blue which featured a song of the same name that was supposedly inspired by this very place.
The Manta Resort
Oh sure, it sits on the ocean. And it offers six waterfront villas, as well as a variety of rooms set in picturesque gardens. There's a large pool overlooking the ocean, a lounge set on the beach with a bar that serves up both tasty libations and light meals, and a full-on restaurant for dinner time. There's even an aloe tree outside each room in case you spend a bit too long in the sun. But the real jewel of The Manta Resort is the Underwater Room, a private floating island with a top deck for sunbathing, a water deck for lounging and eating, and a bedroom that sits four meters below the surface, giving you unbelievable views of the native marine life. [Scouted by Emil]
St. James Hotel
For a place that was once notorious for shootouts, the St. James Hotel has come a long way. Then again, that probably had something to do with the clientele — placed in a rough mining community, the saloon opened in 1872, and in its early years saw such characters as the Earp brothers, Buffalo Bill Cody, Jesse James, and Black Jack Ketchum pass through its doors. It also played host to writers; Zane Grey began writing "Fighting Caravans" in Room 22, and Lew Wallace wrote part of Ben Hur while visiting the area. It's quite safe now, but still exudes rustic charm throughout its 22 rooms, restaurant, and bar — the latter of which still bears bullet holes in the ceiling from years before.
Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club
Some people like their getaways to be as relaxing as possible. If you're the type that likes your days off to include a little more adrenaline, try a stay at the Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club. As the name suggests, this facility — an hour or so outside of Vegas — is dedicated to motoring, with over four miles of road course with over 20 configurations, four high-speed straights, and recreations of several famous corners, including Watkins Glen's "Bus Stop" and Road Atlanta's turn 1. Along with multiple driving schools and racing leagues, the resort also offers several condos with full kitchenettes, upscale bathrooms, and Wi-Fi, and a clubhouse boasting a bar/lounge, fitness center, large patio, pool, and on-site massage therapist. An ideal getaway for those who'd rather be behind the wheel than beside the ocean.
Bedford Post Inn
Take a step back in time without taking a step down in luxury at the Bedford Post Inn. This historic eight-room accommodation is set in the heart of Westchester, and offers upscale-yet-approachable decor that sets a casual tone. The Inn is also home to two restaurants — The Barn, a more casual eatery, and The Farmhouse, a formal dining spot that offers both a la carte and chef's tasting menus — and a Loft that serves as a yoga studio and event space. The Inn is also a great spot if you're looking for some privacy, but don't ask us — just ask co-owner Richard Gere.
Grand Hotel Timeo
Set in the hills of Sicily's east coast, Grand Hotel Timeo makes a for a great stay whether you're looking to escape or looking to explore. This upscale hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites, each featuring a blend of old-world and modern Italian style. Many of the rooms offer ocean views, and the grounds are also home to a formal restaurant serving Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine, a literary bar, a casual poolside bar, a spa, beach access courtesy of sister property Villa Sant'Andrea, and a fitness center. Leave the hotel, however, and you'll find a host of interesting day trips, including Mount Etna — Europe's largest volcano — the historic Greek Theatre, and Savoca, a small town 20 minutes to the north that served as a filming location for The Godfather.
The Graham & Co
Yes, the name makes it sound more like a store than a hotel, but trust us, The Graham & Co is one of the latter. Set in the Catskills, roughly 2.5 hours from NYC, this 20-room hotel is unassuming in the best possible way, with clean rooms that are sparsely, yet thoughtfully, appointed. Outside your room, there's a swimming pool, hammocks, a badminton court, a picnic area, plenty of places to grab a drink, and occasional impromptu outdoor movie nights. Add in easy access to nearby hiking, fishing, tubing, and skiing, and you've got a great spot for a weekend getaway.
Skirvin Hilton Hotel
It might be the oldest hotel in town, but it's far from run down. Built in 1911 and completely renovated in 2007, the Skirvin Hilton Hotel is both a piece of OKC history and a great place to lay your head. It offers 225 rooms that range from a standard double room to the 1,500 square foot Presidential Suite that offers a whirlpool tub, walk-in shower, a wet bar, and terrific views of the downtown skyline. Also on site are an indoor pool, a fitness room, the Park Avenue Grill, and the Red Piano Bar, the latter of which slings tasty cocktails while live jazz provides an atmosphere that's far from your typical chain hotel.
Cocoa Island
Take your next beach vacation away from the beach and over the water with a stay at Cocoa Island by Como. This private island resort offers 33 overwater suites and villas, each of which boasts a private terrace, a comfortable king-sized bed, Wi-Fi, climate control, a separate tub and shower, and a well-stocked minibar. Take the walkway from your room back to the island to enjoy the pool, Ufaa restaurant, Faru bar, or the COMO Shambhala Retreat, a full-service spa offering a yoga pavilion, steam rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, and more. Or just slip off your deck directly into the sea. And don't worry if seaplanes aren't your thing — unlike most resorts in the region, it's just a 40-minute speedboat ride from the international airport in Malé.
Longitude 131
Australia's Uluru — more commonly known as Ayers Rock — and Kata Tjuta are icons known world 'round, but many visitors miss out on the chance to see them due to their location deep in the outback. Longitude 131 provides the opportunity to stay as close to this World Heritage site as possible, without the need for sleeping in a tent. Okay, so this resort technically refers to its 15 elevated rooms as "tents", but few tents we've ever seen offer king-sized beds with fine linens, modern bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for spectacular views of the sunrise over the Rock, climate control, Wi-Fi, an iPad pre-filled with entertainment, and a complementary in-room bar. Add in the stunning Dune House and its excellent restaurant, bar, and library, and you have all the makings of a memorable stay — even if you don't venture out into the bush.
