Beautiful romantic hotels, spectacular settings. That's what this issue's romance section is all about. We tell you about a Connecticut inn with some of the most original accommodations imaginable (read on, you might be going there sooner than you think). We point you in the direction of a small, romantic inn right outside of Cape Town and we share one of our recent finds on the Greek island of Santorini.
And the Winner Gets to Go to Winvian
Some lucky FarewellTravels.com reader is going to be winning a trip for two to this amazing resort called Winvian, which is located in the Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut, less than two hours from New York City. Click here for contest details.
From the road, it looks like a New England farm  200 years ago. A collection of red and white buildings stands along with a saltbox house on 113 meadowed acres. Enter the grounds, however, and you find yourself in a world that's every inch New Millennium, full of fantasy and sophistication.
The accommodations are not merely places to stay, but mini-destinations in themselves. One cottage is tucked on the edge of the woods and simulates the camping experience (minus the roughing it aspect) with floor-to-roofline windows throughout and a tent canopy over the bed. The ceiling looks like clouds and blue skies by day and constellations at night. Turn-down service includes marshmallows which guests can toast over a fire on the screened porch. Another cottage has a full-sized 1968 fully restored Sikorsky helicopter dominating the interior and enabling guests to imagine they’ve coptered off to some remote place.
Winvian is a combination of the first names of Winthrop and Vivian Smith, who bought the property in 1948 and used it as a place to unwind from the pressures of New York City. It has remained in the family ever since and is now a wonderfully unconventional getaway.
Fifteen New England architects contributed to the distinctly different eighteen free-standing cottages here. Constr ucted of boulders and topped with an undulating slate roof, Stone Cottage offers an upscale Flintstone experience complete with leather curtains. The Treehouse, designed by John Connell, is right out of a ten-year-old boy's dreams, suspended between trees and 35 feet off the ground. Woodland Cottage, by Troy Osborne, brings the outdoors inside with living trees, a waterfall over a large stone slab and pedestal sinks made of tree trunks. All the cottages have at least one wood-burning fireplace, a screened porch and large whirlpool tubs with separate steam showers in the bathrooms.
Meals are major conversation pieces here, with Executive Chef Chris Eddy, who holds the Grand Diplome from the French Culinary Institute, at the helm. One can start with breakfast on the Terrace, enjoy light snacks in the Solarium, settle into tasting me nus along with carefully selected wines in the Private Dining Room. Everything is fresh and—in season—right out of the inn’s own gardens.
In addition to lounging around your cottage, there’s lots to see nearby. You can be chauffeured or drive yourself into Litchfield in one of the inn’s loaner Mercedez Benzes (the GL 450 or Sedan 550). There you can see the village's historic buildings (including the country's first law school) or hike or mountain bike on 35 miles of trails in adjoining White Memorial Foundation, a 4,000-acre preserve of woodlands, fields and rivers. Come winter, there's snowshoeing and skiing (no need to bring your own equipment).
And if you just want to stay put, the glass conservatory on-site spa is the ultimate place to relax.
--Susan Farewell
By the Beautiful Sea
Whenever someone mentions Cape Town, you inevitably hear how beautiful it is. Indeed, situated between the mighty Atlantic and  wind-carved mountains, this South African city has one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
That said, when visiting, make sure you stay somewhere that embraces the beauty one hundred percent. On a recent trip, I came across a wonderful six-suite inn called The Long Beach in the lobster-fishing village of Kommetjie, about 30 minutes by car fromthe center of Cape Town.
All of the rooms here face the sea, offering mesmerizing views of surfers or whales (in season) and Table Mountain in the distance.
Aptly named, the beach stretches nearly five miles, which makes for fabulous walks. There’s also a pool and plenty of deck area for private dinners served al fresco.
--Susan Farewell
On the Edge
Here's another beautiful hotel in a stun ning location, this one on the Greek Island of Santorni (also known as Thira).
Built right on the rim of the caldera, is a small hotel that faces the sea in the village of Imerovigli.
Built in the Cycladic Contemporary design, it's every inch stylish.
Even the simplest room has a private veranda and sea view and some of the suites have private indoor dip pools as well.
Just 10 minutes from the island's capital (Fira), it's within easy reach of all the island's hopping activity, great restaurants and very hip shops. But it's tempting to spend much of your time simply lounging about its infinity pool.
Psssst...the best time to go to Santorini is early or late Summer. That way you can avoid the crowds.
--Susan Farewell
|
