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We are often asked by members who are based on the East Coast about our favorite country- and seaside getaways in driving distance from New York and Boston. The most memorable places are those boutique properties that manage to celebrate the destination’s unique geography as well as create a totally authentic, beautiful and creative place where travelers feel like they can truly unplug, relax and recharge.

Here we compiled a list of ten unique retreats, detailing who they are right for and what makes each special.

For Romantics

Beach buffs will love the Wauwinet, located on Nantucket remote northern coast, housed in a simple grey-shingled mansion that overlooks the sparkling sea. The shopping and dining of Nantucket town are only a short drive away, but the setting’s serenity draws couples looking to get away from it all. And The Point (www.thepointresort.com), on Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks, is a longer drive (from New York, it’s about six hours), but it’s an exceptional property, full of warmth and personality.

For History Buffs

Travelers who love a sense of history in their hotel properties will appreciate the bucolic setting of Twin Farms, in Vermont, which was the former estate of Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis and his wife, journalist Dorothy Thompson, who lived there in the 1920s. The all-inclusive resort exemplifies laid-back luxury at its finest. Occupying a large property in the Berkshires, the more traditional Blantyre (www.blantyre.com), meanwhile, will please travelers who appreciate an English country house aesthetic, with antiques-filled sitting rooms, fireplaces and an excellent restaurant with an even better wine cellar. There are lots of on-property activities, too, including a fabulous spa, tennis courts and large pool.

For Design Mavens

This season’s most exciting opening in the New York region must be Glenmere, a beautifully designed retreat that debuted this spring in the Hudson Valley. It has a wonderful balance of historic details and modern amenities, gorgeous grounds and such lush details as custom Loro Piana curtains and Casa del Bianca linens. The recently opened Stone House, in an exclusive Rhode Island seaside community, has sleek interiors, high-tech amenities (think Bose surround sound, iPod docks built into the walls), and some rooms with deep Japanese-style soaking tubs. Best of all, the historic property was developed using cutting-edge green technology.

For Foodies

Gourmets will adore the restaurant at Winvian, a whimsical resort in Litchfield, Connecticut, where each guest cottage is freestanding and uniquely designed. Chef Chris Eddy trained with Alain Ducasse and Daniel Boulud and turns out fantastic seasonal cuisine that strikes a perfect balance between haute and comfort. The restaurants at Wheatleigh (www.wheatleigh.com), the design-forward retreat in the Berkshires, have long been acclaimed for Jeffrey Thompson’s French-inspired dishes that are preseted in a somewhat formal setting.

For Spa Goers

The Mayflower Inn is a wonderful property in Connecticut, about a two-hour drive to New York. It has a world-class spa and treatments that range from massages, scrubs and facials to sound therapy, chakra balancing and meditation. It’s a favorite gateway for mother-daughter or girlfriend bonding. The Lodge at Woodloch, in Northeastern Pennsylvania (a two-and-a-half hour drive from New York), was conceived by two longtime spa veterans and while its grounds are not as polished as those at the Mayflower, it offers a long menu of treatments for body and mind, as well as a state-of-the-art gym and delicious, healthy spa cuisine. Both places are great for travelers looking to recharge in bucolic settings.

Read Indagare editor’s Eliza Harris’ tips on weekend getaways