Relaxing Weekend Getaways: Melissa's 11 Picks for Summer Escapes

Often I travel to seek new inspiration or perspective; other times, I am looking for a new challenge or excitement. But sometimes, especially in summer, I like to escape to places that don’t push me too far. Although I tend to live a fairly frenetic life, I find something special in slowing down.

Highlights of summer vacations can be time on the French Riviera or boating around Italy, but I have found that it is equally important to take a few shorter trips to places closer to home. Some of the world’s most restorative destinations are cozy hotels located throughout the U.S., and the following properties are some of my (and my team's) favorite hotels that are perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway.

The Pitcher Inn, Vermont

In the tiny village of Warren, surrounded by storybook cottages bedecked with twinkling lights, this haven of rustic charm celebrates Vermont’s heritage with mementos displayed in every nook and cranny. During the summer, activities include hiking and biking on the area’s scenic trails, golf, canoeing and kayaking, as well as less active pursuits like antiquing and maple-sugar tasting. Guests can also arrange for horseback riding and in-room spa treatments. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Related: Spotlight: Summer Family Travel

Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

This Western mining town turned high-end resort has an incredible sense of history and place. The vintage log cabins where guests are housed were restored with the utmost taste and style, and combined with the spa and nearby hot springs, make the property a luxe base from which to explore the great outdoors. For an even more remote glamping experience, check out the sister property, Dunton River Camp, at Cresto Ranch, which consists of eight prospector-style luxury tents. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Greydon House, Nantucket

This 17-room hotel opened last fall but is already one of the best properties on Nantucket. Housed in an 1850's Greek Revival building whose renovation was entrusted to Roman and Williams, the property celebrates Nantucket history while having its own high-end touches, such as hand-painted Portuguese tiles lining the showers, gorgeous lacquered accent walls and original art throughout. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

Akin to a stylish, five-star summer camp, this rural retreat sits on 6,600 acres and boasts rooms, houses and tented accommodations whose décor represents a personal and gorgeous interpretation of Wild West style. Particularly joyful in the summer, when families fill much of the property, the Ranch at Rock Creek offers a wide range of activities, from horseback riding, hiking and biking to skeet shooting, fly-fishing and a ropes course. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Related: Indagare Favorites: Romantic Escapes

Glenmere Mansion, New York

Opulent but tasteful, Glenmere is a romantic retreat on the western side of the Hudson River with beautifully decorated rooms, a spa and an acclaimed restaurant. Most guests there for a relaxing weekend won’t leave the sprawling 150-acre grounds, instead taking advantage of the resort’s pool, two Har-Tru tennis courts, championship croquet court and spa services. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Twin Farms, Vermont

Located on 300 bucolic acres, this all-inclusive retreat is adults-only, except for two annual “family weeks”: one each in summer and winter. In addition to beautiful suites and cottages, the property boasts museum-quality art, including works by Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein, plus a much-lauded culinary program. Onsite activities include hiking, canoeing, croquet, tennis, fly-fishing and spa treatments. Indagare Tip: When you go out for a hike, request a picnic lunch, which the staff will take to the end of the trail. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Related: The Top 10: Mother-Daughter Trips

Ocean House, Rhode Island

In its early days, this iconic resort, which opened in 1868, was the playground of moneyed aristocrats and members of the East Coast elite, who appreciated its prime location on the Atlantic, subdued glamour and discrete privacy. Parasols have given way to blue and yellow beach umbrellas, and the sand is now dotted with cabanas equipped with butler service, but the past is still present in the Victorian-style main building, despite its having been outfitted with all the modern amenities required for a five-star experience. Those looking for a cozy, luxurious seaside escape with old New England charm will find Ocean House the perfect escape. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Mayflower Grace, Connecticut

Located in Litchfield County’s town of Washington, this intimate, 30-room hotel celebrates the surrounding landscape and Connecticut’s heritage while encouraging its guests to relax and indulge themselves. Offerings include an excellent culinary program and 20,000-square-foot spa, plus, in summer months, a serene pool, tennis court and putting green. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Grace White Barn Inn, Maine

This 26-room historic inn is the ultimate low-key getaway and a charming place to camp out when visiting the harbor-side village of Kennebunkport, known for its stately mansions and laid-back summer scene. Particularly lovely are the junior suites, which feature gas-burning fireplaces and large bathrooms with soaking tubs. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Related: Ask Melissa: Your Travel Questions Answered

The Chequit, Shelter Island

Just a 10-minute ferry ride from both Long Island’s North Fork and Sag Harbor, this charming, 37-room property is housed in a white-washed building that dates to 1872. The Chequit is not on the beach, but it has all the other elements for a quiet summer escape: décor featuring pinks and grays, delicate furnishings and a restaurant, that serves seasonal fare and has a terrace with string lights hung from the trees. Read more and contact Indagare to book.

Single Thread Farm, Sonoma

Since its highly anticipated opening this past December, this culinary destination cum boutique inn has won plaudits for its tasting-menu restaurant (for which reservations are purchased in advance as tickets), which has drawn comparisons to Napa’s French Laundry. The five-room inn is perfect for foodies, who will appreciate the comfort of its Japanese- inspired accommodations while reveling in the exquisite multi-course breakfasts. Contact Indagare to book.

The Point, Adirondacks

Located on a 75-acre peninsula on Upper Saranac Lake, this exclusive 11-room retreat, once patronized by the Rockefeller family, is now a popular destination for well-heeled families looking for a camp-style property with an elegant five-star atmosphere. Guests stay in the property’s original log cabins, which feature rustic-chic décor. In summer, the peak season, blissful days are spent hiking, playing croquet and partaking in water sports, followed by dinner in the elegant restaurant, which hosts twice-weekly black-tie events. Contact Indagare to book.

Contact us to book a long weekend at these stylish summer escapes. When booked through Indagare, members receive exclusive benefits, upgrades, and amenities at these (and hundreds of others) hotels. 

Related: On the Road With…Teens