Sometimes you just need an escape, especially after a hectic holiday season. If you’re looking for a getaway to recharge or reconnect, or if your new year’s resolution is just to destress or have an adventure, we’ve rounded up destinations to suit every need, whether you want to travel by plane, train or car.
By Plane
If you’re looking for warm days, white sand beaches, and lots of relaxation, the Tryall Club in Jamaica is a peaceful escape from everyday life in the Northeast. Situated in Montego Bay, the resort is the embodiment of laid-back luxury. Accommodations range from one-bedroom condominiums to luxury oceanfront beach houses for multi-generational travel. “For generations, the Tryall Club, nestled within a 2,200-acre estate and built around a championship golf course, has offered an unrivaled villa experience for families, friends, golfers, tennis enthusiasts and those who simply want to relax and enjoy delicious food, Jamaican hospitality, and the Caribbean sun,” says Kenton Jones, managing director at The Tryall Club. The resort recently unveiled the new Spa at Tryall, which offers an array of treatments, including massages, facial, body treatments, beauty and hair services, fitness, meditation, yoga and sound therapy. Our brand-new spa offers the very best wellness experiences,” says Jones. Try the Jacana Escape Jamaican body treatment, to help you rebalance and relax. Jacana’s CBD products are organically grown on the island, giving you a farm-to-spa experience. Before the weekend is out, be sure to book a reservation for dinner at Ooshan, the new oceanfront restaurant and bar. “Ooshan’s bar provides a new, lively venue to meet old friends and make new ones, while the restaurant serves the very best in contemporary Jamaican cuisine,” adds Jones. Fish caught fresh right off-shore, crispy roast chicken infused with bacon in a light coconut curry sauce and coconut rum-soaked barbeque jackfruit are among the must-try signature dishes.
By Train
If you are looking for a luxurious and glamourous escape from the everyday, The Benjamin Hotel is just a train ride away. The newly transformed Midtown hotel by Royal Sonesta blends the beauty and history of Manhattan’s gilded age with contemporary and innovative design of today. The historic landmark on “hotel alley” sits on the corner of 50th and Lexington Avenue, with easy access to all of midtown’s main attractions. The limestone and brick Romanesque structure is so striking it has been a favorite subject of artists, from Georgia O’Keeffe to Charles Sheeler. Generous guestrooms are designed with velvet sofas, herringbone wood floors, custom cabinetry and marble baths. The lavishly appointed Beverly Suite (Beverly being the hotel’s original name) is 975 square feet with black marble floor tile and views of the Manhattan skyline. Manhattan is the city that never sleeps and there are innumerable things to entertain you during your stay. “Our residential-style guest rooms and suites, along with our Midtown location, make us the perfect jumping-off point for a winter escape,” said Simon Chapman, general manager at The Benjamin. “Being within walking distance of iconic landmarks like Rockefeller Center, MoMA, Central Park, and Broadway theaters, our guests have seamless access to a day of exploration.” Planning is time consuming, so take advantage of The Benjamin’s concierge services (You’ll feel like a Roaring Twenties socialite), to help coordinate as many (or as few) of your social outings and needs as you like, from VIP events and museum or Broadway bookings, to babysitting or spa appointments during your stay. After a busy day in the city, the hotel’s “Rest and Renew” sleep program led by Dr. Rebecca Robbins guides adults and kids alike to a better night’s sleep. Plus, a 10-choice pillow menu and in-room meditation will make your weekend escape all-the-more restorative.
By Car
If a winter weekend getaway the stuff Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” was made of is what you’re looking for, take a drive up to New Hampshire for the weekend. Bretton Woods is one of the Northeast’s most highly ranked ski destinations, and New Hampshire’s largest ski area, and a room at the OMNI Mount Washington makes for a convenient and luxurious home base. Built circa 1902, the resort is one of the few surviving historic vacation resorts in the White Mountains. The original construction price tag would be the equivalent of more than $52 million today, so suffice to say, it’s been an architectural work of art from Day 1. But since the resort’s most recent transformation to bring it into the 21st century, including renovating the dining rooms and the Rosebrook Lodge, as well as expanding the Presidential Wing with 69 new rooms and suites and starting construction on a club lounge. Marble bathrooms with soaking tubs will be a welcome comfort after a day on the slopes. Private balconies allow many of the guests to take in views of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, right from their room. The 25,000-square-foot spa has a menu of seasonal treatments inspired by the White Mountains region. For the ultimate in relaxation, opt for the Summit package, a full day of treatment that includes a facial, body treatment, manicure, pedicure, massage, and a shampoo and blow dry to end the day. Outdoorsy types can choose from Alpine or Nordic trail options. Non-skiiers can try snowshoeing, tubing, scenic gondola rides or a sleigh ride. Most guests will tell you, a New England-inspired meal at 1902 (the main dining room) is a must-do for your weekend away. And if the weather’s right, venture off grounds and book a ride on the Cog Railway, the first in the world. In winter, the summit is closed due to the incredibly dangerous conditions at the top, but the Waumbek Station (elevation 4,000 feet) allows riders to take in the views, roast hot dogs and s’mores, and enjoy complimentary hot beverages before heading back down the mountain. The ride is an experience like no other as you ride the historic train, hear about the incredible feats involved in its origin story, and see the topography of one of the United States’ tallest peaks.
