14 Couples Retreats Near NYC That Make for the Perfect Weekend Getaway

Located in Hunter right near the popular ski resort, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge is one of the more cabin chic and glamorous hotels in the Catskills. Scribner’s, which originally opened in the ’60s, was recently restored into a trendy lodge with Brooklyn-meets-Alpine vibes. While the Catskills have an exciting restaurant scene, don’t miss a meal at Prospect, the hotel’s on-site restaurant which is currently operating at 50 percent capacity, and serves 100 percent delicious cocktails and rustic fare using locally sourced ingredients. We also love the outdoor firepits, perfect for making s’mores and watching the snow fall. While you might not want to leave the hotel, there’s plenty to do around Hunter, like skiing, exploring Kaaterskill Falls and antiques shopping in downtown Tannersville. The property is also dog-friendly, for those couples whose idea of a romantic getaway includes Fido.

13 Scribner Hollow Rd., Hunter, New York; scribnerslodge.com

Japan may be out of the question this Valentine’s Day, but you can book a four-day trip to Shou Sugi Ban House, a Japanese-inspired wellness retreat inspired by the ryokans of rural Japan, which has extensive safety protocols in place ATM. For couples seeking relaxation, self-care and spiritual healing, this luxury Hamptons property is for you. Each of the 13 studios are light-drenched, minimalist and neutral with wood-framed beds and soaking tubs. Each stay is complemented by a personalized nutrition, meditation and spa program, with the aforementioned spa currently operating at 50 percent capacity, though it’s worth noting that the hydrotherapy and thermal suite are closed until further notice should you wish to partake. Couples can still enjoy yoga or floating meditation classes, cooking workshops, beach walks, and more.

337 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, New York; shousugibanhouse.com

For couples seeking an escape from the concrete jungle, consider Ocean House, a romantic beachfront property in quaint Rhode Island. Easily accessible by Amtrak, the Ocean House is not just a summer destination. In the colder months, you can cozy up and experience the beauty of New England, and warm up with some fondue at Fondue Village, an adorable private dining experience housed in a gondola that will not disappoint. Listening to the crashing waves of the Atlantic from your hotel room is a highlight here, as is booking a detoxing mud wrap or deep tissue massage at the on-site OH! Spa, which is currently operating with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place. You can and should also explore the neighboring towns of Newport and Bristol, and chow down on chowder and lobster rolls at one of the many nearby seafood shacks or splurge on a multi-course dinner at Coast, the hotel’s upscale restaurant.

1 Bluff Ave., Watch Hill, Rhode Island; oceanhouseri.com

For adventure-seekers whose idea of romance includes spending time in the Great Outdoors, check out this unique Airbnb. After a busy day of cuddling the alpacas on site and hiking on the 6 mile rails-to-trails path across the street, couples will enjoy unwinding by gazing up at the stars in their very own sci-fi geo dome. Yep, this is “glamping” at its best.

This country inn in the Hudson Valley is the perfect mix of laid-back and luxurious. The original Troutbeck dates back to the 17th century, and over time it served as a retreat for big names ranging from Ernest Hemingway to Theodore Roosevelt, not to mention other dreamers, creatives and poets. Today, there are 36 guest rooms complete with Malin + Goetz bath products, heavenly bedding featuring Italian linens and canopy beds.

Romantics will want to snag The Dunham Suite, named for the windows that overlook Dunham Creek. It boasts a four-poster king bed and a swanky bathroom with a freestanding soaking tub and separate rain show, not to mention heated floors. For obvious reasons, you’ll want to stay cozied up here in a robe and slippers, reading a book by the gas fireplace. And thanks to Troutbeck’s delicious farm-to-table restaurant, which is currently only serving in-house guests, you won't even have to leave the property for essentials.

515 Leedsville Rd., Amenia, New York; troutbeck.com

During the summertime, the seaside town of Kennebunkport is filled with tourists, but in the colder weather, it’s a peaceful and quiet escape. There’s nothing new or trendy about the White Barn Inn, but the historic property is relaxing, serene and indulgent in that understated New England way. The White Barn Inn is located a short walk from downtown Kennebunkport, which is lined with lobster shacks, boutique shops and great restaurants. You’re also not far from Portland, which has earned itself a reputation as one of America’s greatest food cities. That being said, the inn’s own rustic-meets-elegant restaurant housed in a former barn is reason enough to book a stay. The popular eatery is currently operating at limited capacity, so book early, or inquire with the concierge to set up a more private and intimate dining experience on the property.

37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, Maine; aubergeresorts.com/whitebarninn

Known as “the land in the sky,” Windham is the less buzzy, more relaxed town in the Catskills. Eastwind Hotel & Bar features traditional rooms and suites (all outfitted with luxe Frette sheets and some with their own private fireplace), but the real showstopper is the property’s Lushna Suites, which let you go glamping no matter how low the temps drop. After a day of skiing at the many nearby resorts, you can lounge in the sauna, then order one of the hotel’s signature cocktails, like a Smoky Ginger Mezcal Paloma. Oh, and for an extra $50, you can bring your pooch here too.

5088 Rt. 23, Windham, New York; eastwindny.com

A total fantasy from start to finish, any couple staying at the Inns of Aurora is likely to book their return visit before checking out. The luxe, boutique compound of inns is spread across the town of Aurora, a tiny enclave on Lake Cayuga in the Finger Lakes region that—coupled with its peaceful, natural setting and spaces to cozy up and unwind in—finds itself at the center of many couples' wellness-centric getaways. Itineraries of said trips may include mindfulness hikes led by a resident Outdoorsman, taking in a candlelight yoga session or partaking in a tea blending class—all which are currently being offered with proper COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

Complimentary amenities available when you check in include a telescope for nighttime stargazing, a picnic cooler and blanket for a snack time or meal in nature, bikes and helmets for use, plus access to games and puzzles, easels and watercolor paints for outside painting adventures. Not free, but also great, are the nearby wine tastings at Treleaven Wines, Bright Leaf Vineyard and Long Point Winery, an obvious choice for couples looking to explore more, though your innkeeper can also offer up a tasting if you feel like staying closer to your room (which you likely will). Each guest accommodation is handsomely appointed in unique, historical furnishings with a private fireplace and private balcony.

391 Main St, Aurora; innsofaurora.com

This hotel, a historic Newport summer home turned inn, is a member of Relais & Chateaux, meaning you and bae can expect a truly customized experience, with the finest service, quality, food and attention to detail during a stay here. A great year-round destination, in the quieter winter months, couples will want to cozy up near crackling fireplaces and take pleasure in Castle Hill Inn’s selection of fine wines by golden candlelight. Dreamy, right? Beach walks are a must, too, regardless of season. Your room—either in the main house or in one of their beach cottages—also offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay so you can snuggle up and enjoy the surroundings right from bed.

Right now, Castle Hill Inn is also enticing visitors with a “Retreat to Romance” package, which includes a two-night stay, complimentary gourmet breakfast and the Inn’s exclusive afternoon tea each day (which you can currently take from inside your room, too), a bottle of rosé bubbly, fresh flowers and chocolate dipped strawberries upon arrival. Did we mention there’s also a three-course dinner for two? Not too shabby.

590 Ocean Drive, Newport, Rhode Island; castlehillinn.com

This stunning new hotel opened up towards the end of the summer season during the pandemic, so it’s been slightly under-the-radar until now. For couples looking to stay closer to home—but wanting the feel of a far-away place—it’s a fantastic option that’s less 90 minutes from Times Square via subway, or even quicker in an Uber, car, or by ferry.

Vibrant, stylish and in the heart of one of New York City’s most beloved and evolving neighborhoods, Rockaway Beach, the hotel takes cues from the area’s surfing history, and provides many luxe experiences along the way, like an infrared sauna and a gallery-like art collection you and your S.O. can take advantage of (in a considered and socially-distanced way, of course). The property is also enticing couple staycations with movie screening nights, winter surfing (it’s a thing!), live music, and fitness and wellness classes; as a bonus, it’s also one of the more budget-friendly options on this list, with winter rates starting around $200/night.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Rockaway Park, New York; therockawayhotel.com

A unique log garden gate announces your arrival to this retreat originally built as an Adirondack Great Camp of the North Woods for the Rockefellers. Private and intimate with just 11 rustic luxe rooms, each with its own cozy wood-burning fireplace, a romance and magic-filled weekend awaits any couple here.

The Point Resort is set on 75 secluded acres along the shoreline of Upper Saranac Lake, where each of the rooms are housed in one of four distinctly beautiful, original log buildings, each with a slightly different panoramic lake view. The decor alone will instantly get you in a snuggly mood, and the stylish private baths featuring original brass and chrome fixtures will make you want to slip on a robe, grab a glass of bubbly and relax. “The setting is surreal, the food and drink are absolutely top notch (it is a Relais & Chateaux property, after all), the service is so thoughtful and flawless, and the experience as a whole is something you simply cannot replicate,” Jordan Brady, luxury travel advisor and founder of Journey Bound Travel Co. tells us.

222 Beaverwood Road, Saranac Lake, New York; thepointresort.com

A few things will make you fall in love with Emerson Resort & Spa (and each other, all over again) during a trip here: For one, all of the rooms have serious soaking tubs, big enough for a romantic bath à deux. Handsome rooms, like the Imperial Suite, also have their own individual fireplaces, and boast large living rooms and a lofted bedroom area so you can really stretch out.

Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson might be the inspiration for the hotel’s name, but things are decidedly more luxurious today in this part of the Catskills than they were in the late 1850s when he traveled throughout the wilderness of New York State with his cronies. What remains, however, is a beautiful, pristine 20-acre setting with plenty to entertain even the most fickle of lovers: Complimentary bikes; a legit spa with its own outdoor hot tub (which is currently operating under New York State guidelines); spots to chill out and take in the views at nearby Esopus River; the Insta-worthy Ashokan Reservoir, which provides water to the city; and much, much more. Bonus: It’s also a very quick, 5-minute drive to the Phoenicia Diner which you’ve been dying to eat at, too.

5340 Rt. 28, Mount Tremper, New York; emersonresort.com

This one will have you (both) at hello. Located inside the 700,000 acre Catskills Park, Urban Cowboy Lodge's newest accommodation offering, The Chalet, is prime picking for a couple looking to get away in a freestanding suite with all the amenities of a hotel. The Chalet includes a kitchen, hot tub to cozy up in and even a private deck.

Couples interested in design and decor will swoon over Urban Cowboy Lodge, which embraces its natural setting and juxtaposes it with bold patterns, pops of color and hand-picked Americana antiques.

Pro tip: If you really want to ball out for bae during a trip here, consider renting out the entire mountain for the day (for a cool $4,500) at Plattekill, a nearby but under-the-radar ski area.

37 Alpine Rd, Big Indian, New York; urbancowboy.com/catskills

Sound View is set on the Long Island Sound at the tip of the North Fork. Its bones are that of a golden era motel, but it’s been totally renovated and outfitted in modern, nautical-inspired decor which will encourage you and yours to relax and lie low, spending QT in your ocean-view room that’s just steps from a private beach. Guests can also level up in the property’s recently renovated two bedroom suite, which features a wood-fired cedar hot tub overlooking the water, plus its own private terrace, full living/dining area and kitchen.

But for those seeking stimulation, the property is close to dozens of wineries, quaint farms, boutique breweries like Greenport Harbor Brewery and lots of small shops, all which are operating with COVID-19 safety guidelines in mind. At Sound View, there’s The Halyard, a seafood-focused restaurant currently open by reservation only, and the town of Greenport also boasts great dining options, from local oysters at Little Creek to shareable small plates at Noah’s.

58775 County Rd. 48, Greenport, New York; soundviewgreenport.com