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The historic Equinox Resort & Spa sits on 2,300 acres,
between Vermont's Green and Taconic
mountains.
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Above: The Gleneagles Golf Course at The Equinox is
a par-71, 6,423-yard course, ranked among the best
in the country. |
Located in the center of the picturesque village of Manchester,
VT, at the base of Mount Equinox, this luxurious Inn offers
the best of both worlds: the privacy and ambiance of a small
country retreat and the amenities of a grand resort. The
elegantly restored, 19th-century former residence of Orvis
Company founder Charles Orvis has nine spacious one- and
two-bedroom suites with marble baths, full cherry-paneled
kitchens, and gracious living and dining areas. The Inn is
one of three lodging options available at The Equinox Resort & Spa.
The main building houses 136 rooms, including five lavish
presidential suites that offer a choice of garden, village
or mountain views. The adjacent townhouses offer additional
suites, each with kitchen and fireplace.
The historic heart of the resort is the Marsh Tavern, which
has been welcoming guests since 1769. Comfortable wing chairs,
generously spaced tables, delectable food and an impressive
wine list make this an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch
or dinner. Other dining options include lunch at the Dormy
Grill, which overlooks the resort's golf course, and
a sumptuous breakfast at the Colonnade, a grand sun-drenched
dining room. The Equinox will celebrate its commitment to
exquisite cuisine when it welcomes winemakers and wine connoisseurs
during its 8th annual Autumn Food & Wine weekend from
November 17 – 19.
While it is tempting to relax with a good book in one of
the many peaceful porch areas dotting the resort complex,
the hotel's dizzying slate of outdoor activities will
keep guests otherwise occupied. Golfers will enjoy the challenges
of the 18-hole Gleneagles Golf Course, while tennis enthusiasts
can perfect their serve on three Plexicushion tennis courts.
The Archery School and The British School of Falconry offer
visitors the chance to try their hand at these ancient sports.
Drivers of all skill levels can challenge themselves on the
80-acre training course of the Off Road Driving School. The
world-famous Orvis School teaches the finer points of fly-fishing,
and nature lovers will enjoy guided walks through the 800-acre
Equinox Preserve.
After taking advantage of all that the great outdoors has
to offer, guests can retire to the hotel's world-class
Avanyu Spa – a 13,000-square-foot retreat that was
recently named a Leading Spa of the World – and enjoy
yet another workout in the fitness center, the yoga studio
or the 75-foot heated indoor pool. The spa also offers a
comprehensive menu of massage and body treatments, including
some unique therapies that use indigenous ingredients such
as Vermont maple sugar and Green Mountain algae.
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Top: the dining room at Blantyre. Above: The Potting Shed Spa at
Blantyre includes a steam room, a sauna and a large Jacuzzi.
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Nestled on 117 lush acres in charming Lenox, MA – in
the heart of the Berkshires – this resplendent Scottish
manor house hotel is a throwback to the Gilded Age during
which it was built. Originally intended as a “summer
cottage” for Robert Paterson, a successful merchant,
and his family in the early 1900s, Blantyre can now be enjoyed
by the discriminating luxury traveler, thanks to the loving
and expert ministrations of its current owners, the Fitzpatrick
Family.
Magnificent oak paneling, leaded glass windows, exquisite
antique furnishings and opulent floral arrangements all contribute
to the sensation of being the pampered houseguest of a privileged
family of a bygone era. Many of the 25 rooms and suites,
which are divided among the main house, the carriage house
and four cottages, have fireplaces and four-poster beds.
Each room has a distinctive decor and features special touches
such as oriental rugs, lavish curtains, marble sinks and
Kiehl's bathroom amenities. The Ice House Cottage Suite
is exceptional, replete with a full kitchen, a screened porch
and a luxurious bathroom that is larger than most hotel rooms.
The attention to detail extends to Blantyre's kitchen,
which is under the expert direction of chef Christopher Brooks.
Formal linens, antique china and sterling silver set the
stage for the fine French cuisine and excellent wines that
are offered nightly by a very accommodating waitstaff. Other
property highlights include a well-appointed spa, an outdoor
heated swimming pool, four Har-Tru tennis courts, two croquet
lawns and miles of walking trails.
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From top: the Manor's three-acre sandy beach
on the shores of Squam Lake. The Puffin III provides
guided tours of Squam Lake. The Avon room features
a wood-burning fireplace and a Jacuzzi.
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New Hampshire's only Small Luxury Hotel of the World
is set on 15 verdant acres overlooking the pristine waters
of Squam Lake and the magnificent White Mountains. Majestic
pines frame the elegant stucco-and-shingle mansion, which
was the summer residence of a wealthy real estate developer
in the early 1900s. Although the Manor has been open to guests
since the 1950s, it was not until its purchase in 1999 by
the present owners, Brian and Mary Ellen Shields, that it
regained its original splendor.
A felicitous combination of great care and good taste has
resulted in a 25-room, ideal refuge for a respite or a romantic
getaway. Fine English antiques, luxuriant fabrics and fresh
floral bouquets reflect the Manor's English country
character, while double Jacuzzi tubs and wireless Internet
access are a nod to modern luxury.
Exceptional food and wine are an important part of the Manor
experience, and the sophisticated cuisine of chef Alan Frederick
is a delight. Frederick willingly shares his culinary secrets
in a series of two-day cooking classes that begins in September
and runs through December. Other hotel amenities include
a clay tennis court and an outdoor pool. Although the Manor
does not have a separate spa facility, it does offer a full
menu of spa services. The Manor's private beach has
canoes and pedal boats with which to explore the natural
wonders of Squam Lake. However, to truly appreciate the lake's
serene beauty, guests can take a guided tour with the charming,
knowledgeable Dave Closson in his Puffin III, a fabulous
antique mahogany motor launch that has been in his family
for five generations (www.squamweddingcharter.com).
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Top: a new room in the renovated Lake Cottage
building, with a view of Mirror Lake and the
Adirondack high peaks. Above: the Inn's dock
on Mirror Lake.
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Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
The beautiful Adirondack Mountains have always been a powerful
draw to those seeking to connect with nature. In the late
19th and early 20th centuries, the wealthy and the powerful
came as well, constructing luxurious lakeside chalets and
cabins inspired by the rustic buildings in the area. Today,
vacationers can experience the Adirondack Great Camp lifestyle
at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, in Lake Placid, NY,
which offers luxuriously appointed rooms, world-class cuisine,
impeccable service and a spacious state-of-the-art spa. This
fall, the Inn will host a Fall Birding Weekend from October
20 – 22, during which guests can enjoy sightings of
various bird species in a guided tour of Lake Champlain.
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Adirondack Mountains
and tranquil Mirror Lake, Mirror Lake Inn includes 109 guest
rooms as well as 20 suites – all with mountain and
lake views. The Inn's public rooms set a stylish tone
with their warm mahogany walls, polished walnut floors, marble-and-stone
fireplaces and tasteful antiques. The newly restored Lake
Cottage on the shore of Mirror Lake has eight elegant rooms
with cozy stone fireplaces and marble-and-wood-accented bathrooms.
The 5,000-square-foot spa features a mahogany-and-marble-accented
spa sanctuary, complete with fireplace, Jacuzzi and steam
room, as well as a 60-foot indoor lap pool with a waterfall
and panoramic views of the lake. There is an extensive menu
of specialized massage therapies and unique body treatments
that take place in surprisingly large, comfortable rooms,
including the 50-minute Adirondack Maple Sugar Body Scrub,
the spa's signature treatment.
The Inn's three restaurants offer some of the best
dining in Lake Placid. The most refined cuisine can be had
at the aptly named restaurant, The View, where lake and mountain
vistas enhance chef Paul Sorgule's creative menu. The
bistro-style Taste restaurant offers casual – but no
less delicious – meals. |
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Photo credit
Image 1, 2
Courtesy
of The Equinox Resort & Spa, a rock resort; image 3,
4 George Ross; image 5, 6, 7 Courtesy of The Manor on Golden
Pond; image 8, 9 Courtesy of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and
Spa |
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