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Cliff House[/caption]
Under normal circumstances, after months of wedding planning, of course you’d hanker to hide away in a luxurious retreat with the love of your life to recuperate from all of the wedding activity. But, these days? Now? After staying inside for months and learning to bake banana bread every which way; after standing six feet away from other human beings; after memorizing the shape of every blade of grass in your backyard — you’re like a kid on the last day of school. You’re chomping at the bit to escape. You want the honeymoon of your dreams. You earned it (though you may want to wait until the time is right, when you feel comfortable).
As resorts and hotels open up across the United States, they’ve met the challenge to make things safer and more worry-free for you. From social distancing to mask-wearing to enhanced hygiene protocols across the board, they’ve amped up their game in preparation for your arrival. Here are a few worth the wait.
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
A copper tub for two that lords over the foot of a king-sized bed, adjacent to a roaring fire — in a tent? That’ sounds like the recipe for honeymoon ecstasy. Add that to the way silky lingerie juxtaposes with the textures of untamed wilderness, and you might have found the meaning of newly married life. Paws Up, a 60-square-mile ranch in Montana, excels in leading guests to the sort of recreation they need most in a vacation. Whether a spa treatment to the sounds of birds chirping, a bareback gallop on a mighty steed, a lesson in cowpoking as you drive a herd of cattle, a fly fishing cast that actually results in a fish or an exhilarating float down a rushing river, this spacious resort launches newlyweds into their new life with verve.
Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland
Ahoy matey. In this pocket of paradise along the Eastern Shore, you won’t find a stoplight to remind you of city life. Instead, the sound of water slapping rhythmically against a moored vessel defines romance here on the Chesapeake Bay. Romantic, a haven of crab and oyster fishing (and eating), this retreat may seem familiar. “Wedding Crashers” was filmed here. How apropos. Imagine sipping cocktails along the waterfront, sailing at sunset in a vintage boat or teeing off at the new, Pete Dye-designed Links at Perry Cabin, 18-hole championship golf course. Opt for the one-bedroom suite with water views. The Skip the Bridge package provides for a water arrival on the inn’s Hinckley yacht , champagne flutes aloft.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma, California
Oenophiles: Sonoma awaits. Home to 425 wineries, the county, just 45 minutes from San Francisco, also boasts stunning beaches, redwood forests, charming towns and some of the nation’s top restaurants. Base at Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, one of the only luxury spa getaways in the country with its own source of healing, thermal mineral water. That means besides wine tasting and early morning balloon rides above the vineyards, you lovers will want to canoodle in the 40,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa to soak and repose. Hikes through the woods, gourmet breakfasts in bed, rejuvenating couples’ massages, complimentary afternoon wine tastings and dinner at legendary Sante seal the deal. Book a spacious Mission Suite for its in-room, sunken hot tub and wood-burning fireplace.
Cliff House, Maine
So, you want to be a downeaster? That’s what they call folks from the sublimely beautiful, far-flung state of Maine. Together, explore untrammeled wilderness, moody beaches and quaint villages, as you nosh lobster rolls and sip local brews. Immerse in the best of the “Pine Tree State” at luxurious, 70-acre Cliff House, a century-old resort, perched atop Bald Head Cliff. Though nearly every room showcases views of the sea, choose a Sunrise Suite for memorable mornings. Two swimming pools, a 9,000-square-foot spa, and activities from sea kayaking to lobstering balance quiet afternoons in the hotel’s historic nooks with a book.
Amangiri and Camp Sarika Lone Rock, Lake Powell, Utah
“Is that a mirage?” will be your first words when you catch sight of magical Amangiri, designed to meld into the terrain, a remote otherworldly dreamland of pumpkin-hued mounds, lacelike slot canyons, ginger boulders and uncanny hoodoos, which stretch to the heavens like misshapen fingers. Set amid 600 acres of ancient desert-land, the secluded luxury retreat has been a social distancing hideaway since its inception. Its new hotel-within-a-hotel, Camp Sarika, however, redefines middle-of-nowhere bliss. An on-property enclave of ten luxury tents, each with plunge pool and soaking tub, the stylish outpost stands alone, but has access to Amangiri’s signature activities, including its heart-thumping via ferratas, archeological expeditions and hikes. A portal to five national parks, the resort’s location makes memorable field trips possible.
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club and Spa, Carlsbad, California
You’ll feel the heyday glam of this SoCal grand dame upon arrival. The boulevard-like approach sets the scene, as does the vista of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Though the beach is a quick, complimentary shuttle ride away, you might rather spend long hours by the adult-only pool, flirting in your private cabana or on the golf or tennis courts or supine in the immense spa. Book the Premium Coastal Suite, a posh lair that overlooks the Batiquitos Lagoon and the Aviara foothills. Near Legoland (you know you want to go), the resort lies just thirty minutes from San Diego.
