In This Article
Dreaming of the perfect December getaway? Whether you’re chasing snowflakes or sunshine, the U.S. offers magical destinations to match every winter mood and holiday wish list.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
- Celebrate the holidays with twinkling lights and cozy charm in Leavenworth, Washington.
- Hit the slopes and après-ski hot tubs in Aspen, Colorado.
- Wander festive markets and ice rinks in New York City.
- Soak up the sun and sand in Key West, Florida for a warm-weather holiday escape.
- Explore desert beauty and mild temps in Sedona, Arizona for a peaceful winter retreat.
Unique December Vacations:
1. Morris Inn, Notre Dame
© Morris Inn, Notre Dame
Morris Inn
is located on the expansive campus of the University of Notre Dame, close to South Bend, Indiana – a great destination for a romantic weekend escape. You can choose from several romantic accommodation options to suit your budget – even the standard rooms offer everything you need for a pampered weekend away, including premium bed linens and up-market toiletries. You can treat yourself to a show at the Morris Performing Arts Center or the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center or watch the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Footballers in action on campus. There are several excellent dining venues on site where you can enjoy anything from fine food and wine pairing to light meals and craft brews.
Morris Inn, 130 Morris Inn, Notre Dame, IN 46556, Phone: 800-280-7256
2. The Oxford Hotel, Denver
© The Oxford Hotel, Denver
Set the scene for a memorable weekend getaway by checking into Denver’s most historic hotel, located in Lower Downtown, one of the city’s most trendy locations. The lovely Oxford Hotel, which dates back to 1891, combines old and new features to ensure a stylish and sophisticated base for couples wishing to explore all that Denver has to offer.
You can choose one of several interesting hotel packages, which are carefully designed to help you make the most of your getaway – the Vintage Romance Package includes cocktails and other surprises while the Historic Denver Package or the Denver Art Package will appeal to art-loving couples. After a busy day of exploring you can return to the Oxford for a romantic dinner at the Urban Farmer restaurant.
The Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: +13-03-62-85-40-06-00
3. The Inn at Round Barn Farm, Vermont
© The Inn at Round Barn Farm, Vermont
At
The Inn at Round Barn Farm in Vermont the romance starts the moment you step inside. Imagine curling up beside a cozy log fire as you sip champagne and plan your weekend entertainment. Several of the rooms at the inn feature private whirlpool tubs and all have large comfortable beds with top-quality linens and toiletries. The Inn at Round Barn is perfectly located for you to spend a romantic weekend exploring Vermont’s Mad River Valley – you can look forward to enjoying exceptional farm-to-fork meals, hiking through some beautiful Vermont scenery, or simply relaxing in the inn’s beautiful landscaped gardens. The inn offers great seasonal and romance packages, including all manner of romantic treats to set the scene for your weekend getaway.
The Inn at Round Barn Farm, 1661 East Warren Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673, Phone: 802-496-2276
4. L'Auberge Carmel
© L’Auberge Carmel
A member of the acclaimed Relais and Chateaux group, the superb L'Auberge Carmelhotel in lovely Carmel-by-the-Sea offers the last word in luxury and romance for that very special weekend. So that you don’t have to worry about a single detail, the hotel offers the delightful Romance Package, which includes two nights accommodation in one of their signature rooms, a wonderfully pampering 60-minute couple’s massage, and a food and wine pairing dinner to remember. Look forward to spending your days exploring the beautiful coastline of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey Bay or visiting the many art galleries and boutiques. Wine lovers can follow the Monterey River Road Wine Trail, while nature lovers can head to the Point Lobos Natural Reserve for hiking and wildlife watching.
L’Auberge Carmel, Monte Verde at Seventh, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923, Phone: 831-624-8578
5. Castle in the Country, Allegan
© Castle in the Country, Allegan
You can plan a romantic escape to the countryside and be treated like royalty at theCastle in the Country Inn near Allegan, Michigan. Set in two delightful period buildings on a 65-acre estate, the Castle in the Country is the last word in romantic elegance, and each of the themed rooms and suites offers luxury extras like whirlpool tubs, cozy fireplaces, and soft robes. If you visit during the summer, you can go walking, hiking, and kayaking on the estate while in winter you can explore with snowshoes. The castle offers a range of romantic packages, which can be tailored to suit your every desire – think pampering spa treatments, dinner vouchers, in-room breakfasts, and much more.
Castle in the Country, 340M-40 South, Allegan, MI 49010, Phone: 269-673-8054
6. Sleeping Lady, Leavenworth
© Sleeping Lady, Leavenworth
The Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort is an ideal choice for a romantic weekend getaway for couples who enjoy getting back to nature without sacrificing any home comforts. Set in the lovely Leavenworth Valley in Washington, the area offers many activities for you to enjoy, including hiking, biking, golf, river rafting, skiing, and snowshoeing as well as wine-tasting tours, dining, and shopping. You can catch a show at the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts or the Leavenworth Summer Theater or simply stay on site and enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering at the spa. The resort offers a variety of enticing packages to suit all interests, including a birding package, hiking package, and yoga package as well as several special winter package treats.
Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, 7375 Icicle Road, Leavenworth, WA 98826, Phone: 509-548-6344
Romantic December Vacations:
7. Hotel le Marais, New Orleans
© Hotel le Marais, New Orleans
Located less than a block away from the vibrant nightlife of New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street, Hotel le Marais offers the ideal location for a romantic getaway weekend. Le Marais is a chic and sophisticated boutique hotel that has the perfect ambiance for romance – get your weekend off to a great start with a complimentary drink or cocktail in the Vive! cocktail bar or sit outside in the courtyard beside the heated saltwater pool and plan your weekend. The accommodation at Le Marais is all you would expect from a boutique hotel, offering stylish plush rooms, large comfortable beds, complimentary robes, and upscale toiletries. To make planning easier, the hotel offers lovebirds a special Romantic Rendezvous package that includes several treats.
Hotel le Marais, 717 Conti Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, Phone: 800-935-8740
8. Acme Hotel, Chicago
© Acme Hotel, Chicago
If you think traditional hotels are too boring for words, try checking into the Acme Hotel for a trendy and romantic weekend in Chicago. Acme Hotel is a new breed of hotel that caters to today’s technologically advanced traveler, offering modern rooms that perfectly blend comfort and hi-tech style – expect all the gadgets including PC hook-ups, wireless audio systems, and the fastest Wi-Fi in town side by side with Egyptian cotton linen and comfy robes. As for romance, Chicago has something for everyone – try hiking or jogging the 606 elevated trail, rent a Divvy (local blue rental bicycles) to explore the city, or hit the cool waters of Lake Michigan on a rental jet ski or kayak. Finally, wind down for a romantic meal at Eataly, Chicago’s brilliant Italian food zone, before sampling the city’s vibrant music scene.
Acme Hotel Company, 15 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 312-894-0800
9. Inn on Fifth
© Inn on Fifth
Located just a few minutes from the beach and surrounded by the upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment venues of Fifth Avenue South, the Inn on Fifth is a perfect destination for a romantic getaway in Naples, Florida. The stylish Inn on 5th boasts a great rooftop pool where you can soak up the sun, while the Spa on 5th is perfect for a romantic couple’s massage to set the scene for your weekend. The stylishly appointed rooms and suites are ideal for a special getaway occasion and the Inn on 5th makes it really easy to plan your getaway by offering a variety of special packages, which include indulgent treats such as sumptuous dinners, spa experiences, and much more.
Inn on 5th, 699 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102, Phone: 239-403-8777
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- Why should you go on a weekend getaway?
- There is nothing quite like a weekend getaway to put the magic back into your romance or to celebrate a special moment or anniversary.
- What are the benefits of these weekend getaways?
- The following resorts and destinations have been hand-picked for their romantic ambiance, magical locations, luxurious accommodation, and dedicated romantic packages.
- What should you do before going on a weekend getaway?
- Choose your favorite part of the country and get set for a wonderful romantic weekend getaway.
Plan Your Trip