| Travel is frequently listed as one of the "must do" | | | | delay anyone's game). The Number 1 tee is the |
| things on peoples' lists, and resort hotels that not | | | | oldest tee in continuous use in the United States. |
| only pamper but also include natural beauty, history, | | | | Rates begin at $99. Pet friendly? Yes, for an extra |
| great food, and lots of recreational opportunities are | | | | fee. |
| very attractive. Here's the lowdown, in no particular | | | | 4. Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle, New |
| order, on five of these resort destinations I've visited | | | | Hampshire. My parents are from the North Shore |
| recently; they are located in the eastern part of the | | | | area of Massachusetts, and I love going to New |
| country, and some are offering enticing incentives | | | | England any chance I can. So, our July visit to this |
| during these tougher economic times (golf, tennis, | | | | Marriott Hotel & Spa was eagerly anticipated, |
| pools, and spas are part of each location unless | | | | and I wasn't disappointed. An hour north of Boston, |
| indicated): | | | | this is the most easily accessible resort hotel among |
| 1. The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, | | | | the five, with 161 rooms and views of the Atlantic. |
| West Virginia. Of the five hotels, I'd say this one has | | | | Wentworth by the Sea is close to Portsmouth, an |
| the prettiest lobbies and other public areas - colors | | | | historic, pedestrian-friendly city. The hotel itself was |
| such as peach and pink combine in magical ways to | | | | built in 1874, was closed in 1982, and, after many |
| produce drop-dead gorgeous palettes. The resort | | | | changes in ownership and its almost-demolition (two |
| became popular in 1778 because it was thought that | | | | different times), it ultimately re-opened in 2003. |
| the mineral waters had healing properties, and people | | | | Historically, the Wentworth is noteworthy as the |
| flocked to "take the waters." Located in the | | | | venue for hammering out the 1905 Treaty of |
| Allegheny Mountains on 6,500 acres, there are more | | | | Portsmouth, which ended the Japanese-Russo War. |
| than 700 rooms and 50 different activities you can | | | | Although the grounds are small compared to the first |
| attempt, including falconry, kayaking, and geocaching. | | | | three hotels, golf is available at the adjacent |
| Eight restaurants, ranging from jacket and tie to | | | | Wentworth by the Sea Country Club, and a 170 slip |
| casual attire will address your culinary needs. Don't | | | | marina is available for boaters. Dining includes the |
| miss: The Bunker Tour ($30/person), a hidden | | | | seasonal Latitudes restaurant by the marina, and the |
| government enclave under the Greenbrier built to | | | | Wentworth Dining Room with a local emphasis (i.e. |
| shelter Congress in case of a nuclear war. Rates | | | | lots of offerings from the sea). Don't miss: |
| begin at $99/person. Pet friendly? Yes, for an extra | | | | Portsmouth Harbor Cruise departing at Ceres Street |
| fee. (The resort is undergoing some changes - West | | | | (I'd recommend making reservations in the summer - |
| Virginia businessman Jim Justice of Justice Family | | | | a few walk-ups were turned away). About an hour |
| Group LLP recently has acquired The Greenbrier from | | | | and a half long, the Harbor Cruise offers lovely |
| CSX Corp.) | | | | scenery, historical sites, and is fully narrated ($16 |
| 2. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, | | | | person). Rates at Wentworth by the Sea begin at |
| Pennsylvania. The ambience here is woodsier - after | | | | $229. Pet friendly? Yes, for an extra fee. |
| all, you are in 2,000 acres of the Laurel Highlands of | | | | 5. The Wauwinet, Nantucket, Massachusetts. The |
| Southwest Pennsylvania. The resort offers 335 | | | | Greenbrier had the prettiest public places, but the |
| rooms within its six different options - from lodge | | | | Wauwinet had the most charming rooms (all 35 of |
| guest rooms to luxury homes. The property began | | | | them) - each one unique yet elegant - ours had blue |
| as a private game preserve, was later used as a | | | | and white flowered wallpaper, a high antique pine |
| conference center, and took on its present character | | | | bed, and a small but modern bathroom. The little |
| with its purchase in 1987 by the founder of 84 | | | | extras were nice - especially nice turn-down service |
| Lumber Company, Joseph Hardy III. The name of | | | | with yummy chocolates, personalized stationery, full |
| the resort honors Chief Nemacolin, a Lanai Lanape | | | | breakfast included with room, the services of an |
| Indian. A few less-common activities include a | | | | excellent concierge (she knew us by name), and 4 |
| shooting academy, dog sledding, and a bowling alley; | | | | p.m. port, sherry and cheese. The location of the |
| you can also land your plane at the resort's | | | | Wauwinet, on the secluded end of the island |
| 3,900-foot airstrip. Dining ranges from elegant | | | | between the bay and the ocean, lets you escape |
| (jackets suggested) to casual with more than a | | | | from it all, but with jitney service provided to town |
| half-dozen choices. Don't miss: The Great Escapes | | | | nine miles away you enjoy the best of both worlds. |
| E-Newsletter notifies you of upcoming activities, | | | | No pool at the Wauwinet and no golf on the |
| special promotions, and reduced rates. Rates begin at | | | | premises, but it's nearby. Now a member of Relais |
| $319/person. Pet friendly? Yes, for an extra fee. | | | | & Chateaux, the inn was built by two sea |
| 3. The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia. This National | | | | captains in 1876, and is only open from May until |
| Historic Landmark was founded in 1766 | | | | October. TOPPERS restaurant provides fine dining, |
| (pre-Revolution), but according to the site's timeline, | | | | and has won many culinary awards. We ate there |
| archaeologists found evidence that the "hot springs" | | | | twice -once for the formal dining, and once on the |
| were used in 7000 BC! With 483 rooms on 3,000 | | | | deck enjoying a spectacular sunset. Don't miss: Use |
| acres in the Allegheny Mountains, miles of hiking trails, | | | | the Wauwinet's bikes and pedal (about five miles) to |
| a 270-seat movie theater inside the resort, carriage | | | | 'Sconset, a quaint oceanside fishing village dotted with |
| rides, ice-skating and skiing, there is something for | | | | historic cottages covered in roses. Rates can vary - a |
| everyone year-round. Only 40 miles from the | | | | lot. We were originally going to go over Labor Day |
| Greenbrier, you could try out both places over a long | | | | Weekend, but found that the price of a room was |
| weekend. A number of restaurants, from formal to | | | | hundred of dollars less per night on the Tuesday |
| casual, will tickle your taste buds. Don't miss: We're | | | | Wed/Thursday preceding the holiday weekend, so |
| beginner golfers, and played 9 holes on the Old | | | | ASK (we were able to book a room for $250/night. |
| Course, so named because it was completed in 1892 | | | | Pet friendly? No, and guests (human) need to be |
| (we did schedule the last tee time so we wouldn't | | | | over the age of 12. |