October 7, 2004 -- The National Trust Historic Hotels of America, an organization dedicated to keeping our past alive through the use of fine old places to stay has a plethora of bargains for the fall and early winter across the US, and we want to pass them on to you.
Nights Out in the Northeast
Gals can get together for a "Girlfriends Getaway" at the Spa at Norwich Inn in Norwich, Connecticut that includes your room for the night, breakfast, two spa services, two fitness classes, morning walks, meditation, newspaper and use of the spa facility. The cost is $295 per person per night double occupancy, $365 single. Call them at 860/886-2401 or go online to www.thespaatnorwichinn.com.
Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in Lenox, Massachusetts also has a "Girlfriends Getaway" that runs through October 31, 2004 and costs $515 per person, double occupancy in midweek or $565 on weekends. For this, you get two nights' lodging and either a Swedish massage or a clinical facial, a 25-minute floral scrub, two fitness classes, a spa lunch and dinner at Sloane's Tavern. You can get more information by calling 413/637-1364 or visiting www.cranwell.com.
The Porches Inn, a relatively new hotel built into an existing series of rowhouses located in North Adams, Massachusetts, has an "Autumn Flight" package good October 31, 2004, costing $359 on weekdays, $469 weekends. You get your room, a hearty breakfast each morning and a 20-minute flight aboard a six-seater Cessna 205 over the Berkshires. A souvenir aerial photograph completes the package. Phone them at 413/664-0400 or go to www.porches.com.
You can have another aerial adventure at the magnificent Sagamore in Bolton Landing, New York, where there's an optional Champagne balloon flight over the Adirondack villages nearby. The regular price from $314 per person, double occupancy on weekend nights, gives you the hotel room for two nights, shuttle service to Prospect Mountain, choice of a luncheon lake cruise on The Morgan, or a sightseeing train ride aboard the Upper Hudson River Railroad, cider and gingersnaps on arrival, and more. The balloon flight costs an additional $225 per person. Contact them at 518/644-9400 or www.thesagamore.com.
On a less expensive note, consider the Green Mountain Inn at Stowe, Vermont, where an "Autumn Brilliance" Package costs from just $209 per person, double occupancy. You get two nights of lodging, a full country breakfast daily, a scenic horse and carriage ride, a harvest picnic basket and a bottle of wine. Phone them at 802/253-7301 or go online to www.greenmountaininn.com. This deal is valid through October 16.
Southern Charms
A "Murder Mystery Weekend" is certainly a fitting way to spend your Halloween. The famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel on the eponymously named island in Georgia is planning just that for October 29 - 31 calling it "a Halloween to die for." You get two nights of lodging, a welcome reception with "heavy hors d'oeuvres" on Friday evening, a breakfast buffet, group lunch reception and dinner on Saturday, and a closing brunch on Sunday, when the murderer is exposed. This combo runs $849 for the package, based on double occupancy. Phone them at 912/635-2600 or go online to www.jekyllclub.com.
Historic Charleston is the scene of two promotions that include a horse-dawn carriage ride, entirely appropriate for this charming community. At the famed Francis Marion Hotel, there's an ongoing "Discover Charleston" program that features elegant lodging and a daily choice of two tickets to the South Carolina Aquarium, a horse-drawn carriage ride, or tickets to Fort Sumter. Rates are from $139 to $239 per night, based on double occupancy. Contact them at 843/722-0600 or www.francismarioncharleston.com.
A similar scheme runs at the John Rutledge House Inn through December 30, 2004. You get two nights of lodging in an elegant old hostelry (but modernized internally), a romantic carriage ride, tickets to the Nathaniel Russell House and a choice of a tour of Fort Sumter, Middleton Place Gardens or Drayton Hall. Priced from $398 per couple, including breakfast, brandy and chocolates, wine and sherry. Phone the inn directly at 866720-2609 or book through the Historic Hotels site as noted at the end of this column.
Midwest & Atlantic Stays
Romance is in the air with a lovely package offered by the Renaissance St. Louis Suites through April 2005. Starting from just $139 per couple per night, you get your deluxe room, a bottle of the bubbly, chocolate covered strawberries and breakfast. Call the hotel at 314/621-9700 or visit their site at www.marriott.com.
You can enjoy a "Fall Foliage Tour" package at the historic Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Ohio. This includes a "drive yourself" tour of covered bridges and changing leaves, a trolley tour of historic Marietta and a cruise aboard the Valley Gem, a stern wheel riverboat. The two-night package also includes dinner one night, Saturday breakfast and Sunday brunch. The cost is just $149.50 per person, in a double room. Contact them at 740/373-5522 or www.lafayettehotel.com.
State College, Pennsylvania is famous for being the home of Penn State. The Nittany Lion Inn has put together a special golf package that gives you lodging at the inn, use of fitness facilities, a pro-shop discount, free transport to and from the golf course on request, green fees and cart rental, and use of the practice range and balls. Rates run from $104.50 per person per night, based on double occupancy, and include all tips. Private instruction with PGA professional is available for an additional fee. Not valid during event weekends, but other available through November, 2004. Phone them at 814/865-8500 or visit www2.pshs.psu.edu/nittanylioninn/nlhome.asp.
Another golf promotion is available to the Skytop Lodge, also in Pennsylvania, where the sponsors have a "Double Eagle" package available through November 15, 2004. With this, you get unlimited green fees and cart, a standard room and three meals daily. The cost is $180 per person, per night, double occupancy, and a two-night minimum is required. It's available mid-week, non-holidays only. Stay a third night for $130 per person. Tee times must be arranged in advance. Check this out by phoning 570/595-7401 or going to www.skytop.com.
Western
At the Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix, they're offering a one-night package for two persons (two double beds), two spa treatments of choice, and dinner for two in T. Cook's, as well as sangria and tapas. It costs $749 per room (for two persons) per night. Contact them at 602/840-3610. The deal is good from now through December 31, 2004.
One of Los Angeles' most famous historical landmarks is the Biltmore Hotel, now called the Millennium Biltmore, where dozens of movies and TV films have been made. It's convenient to the new Walt Disney Concert Hall, they say, as well as to Staples Center and the Music Center. You can stay here through December 30 for $189 per night per couple, available Friday through Sunday nights. That includes free valet parking, too, and two passes to Universal Studios. Contact them at 213/624-1011 or www.thebiltmore.com.
If you stay at the Heathman Hotel in Portland, a real Oregon treasure, you can enjoy a Garden Zen Package through October 31, 2004. The two-night deal includes the deluxe guestroom, valet parking, continental breakfast, an assortment of green teas, an Urban Zen eye mask and two Portland Attractions passes to the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens, the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Art Museum and more. The cost is $99 per person per night, two-night minimum required. Contact them at 503/241-4100 or www.heathmanhotel.com.
While this is a large sampling of current offers, you can find oodles more in every state in the union on the National Trust website at www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels. Some packages can be booked through HHA as well by calling 800/678-8946.
