There’s nothing like a quick trip out of town to shake off the winter doldrums. If you need a break from the snow—or want to immerse yourself in it—you can enjoy the season at retreats, resorts, and cabins where you can ski down a mountain with the kids, relax at a spa for a bit of solo self-care, or cuddle up and get cozy on a romantic weekend for two. Now is the time to get out and plan your winter getaway.
Spa Rejuvenation
The Spa at The Omni Homestead has everything for the self-care enthusiast in one luxurious location. For the skincare buff, the menu of facials includes purifying, clarifying, men’s, and European treatments to get your skin glowing. The massages include aromatherapy, Swedish, and deep-tissue. You can get a head-to-toe makeover with a full range of men’s and women’s hair and nail treatments and makeup service.
Located in Hot Springs, this resort has spa treatments for adults and teens, as well as the Serenity Garden, which is a retreat with a hot-spring-fed pool, pressurized deluge showers, and a river reflexology walk. 7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs
Winter Sports
Bryce Resort in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains has everything for the winter sport enthusiast—and their family. If speed is your thing, you can hit the slopes with skis or a snowboard. During the season, you can get lift tickets or choose a package that includes equipment rentals and lessons. For the younger ones—or the less experienced adults—ski school teaches the basics. For nonmembers, the best option is a mid-week season pass that includes some blackout dates but offers free lift access and discounts on tickets, activities, and merchandise.
The ski and snowboard trail has plenty of options that include the Copper Kettle Restaurant, Bar and Lounge; The Shenandoah Center; and the ski school, as well as ice skating, shops, parking, and restaurants and bars. P.O. Box 3, 1982 Fairway Dr., Basye
Romantic Weekends Away
Primland Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a range of private lodges, cabins, and even tree houses for those looking for a bit of romance combined with a lot of luxury. Located on a 12,000-acre estate, Primland’s lodge has fine dining, a spa and observatory tower, suites and rooms that overlook the 18-hole golf course, and tree houses that sit on the edge of the Dan River Gorge.
The Lodge offers easy access to Elements and the 19th Pub, along with close proximity to the spa, fitness center, theater, and golf course. There’s a two-story wine room, and guest rooms come in three varieties with private balconies, deep soaking tubs, and Frette sheets.
The three Fairway Cottages are located along the golf course and have mountain views and cathedral ceilings, Tennessee fieldstone fireplaces, and wooden decks accommodating four to eight guests. Tree houses sit above the Dan River Gorge and have views of the Kibler Valley. With wooden decks and king-sized beds, it’s the perfect place for two to escape for the weekend. The Pinnacle Cottages are four chalets that accommodate up to 12 guests with valley views and open, two-story spaces and private decks. The Rustic Mountain Homes accommodate from two to 22 guests, offering seclusion and abundant access to nature. 2000 Busted Rock Rd., Meadows of Dan
Family & Group Getaways
Botetourt County, Virginia, has the perfect combination of outdoor activities for families and groups. There’s hiking, biking, and horseback riding—as well as plenty of restaurants with Southern-style cuisine. Located off I-81 at exit 150, you can hit the James River House for a historic vacation rental with five guest rooms and room for 14 guests, with a formal living room, dining room, courtyard, and kitchen.
The Cottage on Craig is perfect for a romantic getaway on the Craig Creek. With a glassed-in sleeping-and-eating porch that overlooks the water and forest, there’s plenty of hiking trails if the weekend takes you out of doors.
The Wine Trail of Botetourt County has shopping, a brewery, three wineries, and tons of views of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Take a tour of the Blue Ridge Vineyard before traveling through Eagle Rock, and then cross the James River before arriving at the Virginia Mountain Vineyards for local wines from Virginia-grown Vinifera vines. Close out your weekend at the Pomegranate Restaurant and Gathering Place in Troutville.
Beach Getaway
Virginia Beach. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean that you can’t hit the beach. Virginia Beach has whale watching, restaurant week, shopping, among other things, from December through March each year. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center sponsors trips to watch humpback whales and fin whales as they migrate. Winter wildlife boat trips are available at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet, and you can book a charter to catch striped bass.
Virginia Beach’s Annual Restaurant Week, hosted by the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, has tons of three-course, prix-fixe meals that give you a taste of the region’s flavors. There’s also the Town Center, which gives a taste of local nightlife in 17 city blocks.
If you want a resort vibe, check out one of the spa packages at The Flowering Almond Spa at the Founders Inn and Spa. The only resort-style spa in the Tidewater area, you can book a facial, massage, manicures, and wraps to relax the day away. There’s also dining at the Swann Terrace Restaurant, and the fitness center has cardio, circuit, and weight training—and a heated pool and Jacuzzi that completes your post-workout wind down.
Feature image courtesy Omni Hotels
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
