Four Hotels for a Fabulous Fall Vacation
Vacationers are planning an October escape to enjoy the brisk fall weather after the dog days of summer.
It’s time to get in as many outdoor activities as possible before the chilly winter months. Plan a weekend trip to The Hamptons or that extended vacation to Tuscany you’ve been waiting to take. LGBTQ+ travelers might prefer to pack their bags for D.C. or London. Urban getaways are back, according to luxury travel agency network Virtuoso. These four hotels are each special and deliver a true vacation experience.
Washington, DC
The Dupont Circle Hotel, centrally located in one of the District’s popular neighborhoods, was recently renovated and includes a new bar and restaurant designed by Martin Brudnizki and a new penthouse suite designed by Clodagh. The hotel’s sprawling outdoor terrace is open year-round.
And if you live on the East Coast, consider a train ride via Amtrak, which was incorporated in DC and it’s also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Amtrak introduced its new Acela trains between Boston and Washington DC that reduce carbon consumption by almost half!
The Hamptons, New York
There’s a reason Hampton residents prefer the off-season. The summer house renters are long gone, and everything is much more tranquil, including the traffic to the line at Goldberg’s Famous Bagels. It’s no more than a 4-hour drive from Manhattan, which is perfect for New Yorkers who need a break from their daily grind.
You might not be able to sunbathe but there’s still plenty to do in autumn. Visit the Montauk Lighthouse, shuck oysters at Widow’s Hole Oyster Farm, and explore the world-class collection at the Parrish Art Museum.
Located next to the Parrish Art Museum is Shou Sugi Ban House, a wabi-sabi-inspired wellness retreat and destination spa. It’s open year-round! Each of the 13 individual guest studios comes with its own Kobe-style bed, fireplace, private terrace, and soaking tub. Just two years after its opening, the property has expanded its footprint to include Shou Sugi Ban Inn, an intimate bed-and-breakfast for overnight stays, as well as two standalone luxury residences for short-term rentals.
London, England
Vacationers can check into The Beaumont in Mayfair, which just reopened with upgrades to its outdoor terrace, library, lobby, spa, restaurant, and bar celebrating all-American bad boys, including Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra. Meanwhile, The Kensington, a collection of four adjoining Victorian townhouses in the heart of South Kensington, reopened with brand new suites. Following increased interest among long-stay guests seeking a London home base, these suites were reconfigured to enhance the feeling of a luxurious, carefully curated home, using elements and original features of the townhouse to inform the redesign.
In Chelsea, The Cadogan has a partnership with Harley Street hypnotherapist and sleep expert Malminder Gill to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. In fact, the Sleep Concierge is a new service exclusive to Belmond guests, including a meditative recording by Malminder available via the Belmond app, a pillow menu offering the perfect fit for every type of sleeper, the option of a weighted blanket, a scented pillow mist, and a new bedtime tea service. Guests can also book a private one-on-one session with Malminder. Make sure you’re well-rested before heading back home from your vacation.
Tuscany, Italy
Stretching from the Tyrrhenian Sea across acres of olive groves and vineyards to the Apennine Mountains, Tuscany’s diverse landscape is the birthplace of the Renaissance movement. It’s also one of the foremost wine-producing regions in Italy and home to precious truffles. October is a prime month for foraging the tubers with plenty of sunny days and cooler temperatures. Don’t miss the series of truffle-inspired festivals in the Tuscan towns of San Miniato, Volterra, and Palaia.
Castello di Casole’s vast estate is also home to a treasure trove of truffles. Guests of the hotel can join expert hunter Mauro Nesi – who grew up watching his grandfather participate in the foraging art – and his Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to sniff out the delicacy. Once unearthed, Belmond’s chef uses the delicacy to infuse a tasting menu of Taglierini, Tosca fille, and Black truffle tarts.
