For some, the best time of the year to travel is January, when the post-holiday quiet allows for total relaxation. For others, it’s early September, when the major fashion houses put on sensational shows during fashion weeks. At Galavante, we like fall. We love the transition between the brightness and excitement of summer and the coziness and revelries of winter. It’s a season to enjoy nature’s most colorful spectacle in the outdoors without sweating profusely or freezing solid. But to make a US fall trip as perfect as can be, you have to pick the right destination – and the right luxury hotel. For you to do just that, we have selected five US destinations that will deliver on all things fall. 

Savannah, Georgia

Who said New England had the monopoly on fall? The South has plenty to offer too. Take Savannah, for example. One of the oldest cities in the nation, it is best in the fall, when the humidex is low but the temperatures are still warm enough to forgo long sleeves. And besides the great weather, there’s plenty to do, including attending the renowned Savannah Jazz Festival, Oktoberfest, Savannah’s Film Festival, and more. But the best part of a getaway to Savannah in fall is taking a stroll in Forsyth Park or Bonaventure Cemetery to enjoy the ancient, mossy oak trees. 

Where to Stay in Savannah This Fall

Andaz

This Hyatt hotel is not a Park Hyatt, but you could be fooled into thinking that it is – it punches well above its weight. Located steps from the river in the city’s Historic District, Andaz has a very boutique feel for a more intimate stay. The hotel’s spacious and thoughtfully decorated suites offer balconies with top-notch views, and some even have kitchenettes equipped with SMEG fridges. It’s a very nice touch. The onsite restaurant and bar 22 Square delivers on delicious Southern cuisine and the firepits on the second floor are a great place to gather come nighttime. You can even ask for S’mores kits at the front desk.

Perry Lane Hotel

Also in the city’s Historic District, the Perry Lane Hotel is squeezed between two great places to see the city’s iconic oaks: Colonial Square Cemetery and Chippewa Square. But there’s more about this luxury hotel than a great location. Inside, the decor is elegant and contemporary while also oozing comfort – no small feat in an upscale property. The library is the ideal space for those seeking coziness and quiet. For city views, the rooftop restaurant, Peregrin, is the spot to check out. The pool, with its grey-and-white checkerboard aesthetics, is incredibly Instagramable. That said, you’ll be too busy enjoying a cocktail and the views to even think about your phone.

The Drayton Hotel

With only 50 rooms and suites, the luxurious Drayton Hotel offers a private and personal experience. While the building dates back from the 19th century, inside you’ll find a contemporary and colorful take on Southern decor. Everything from the light fixtures to the wallpapers, velvety couches, and retro touches will transport you to a warm and joyful world you won’t want to leave. The best part of this haven of cheeriness is the rooftop Pendant Terrace and Bar and its views. St. Neo’s Brasserie and its Southern offerings is a very close second, however.

Hudson Valley, New York

Yes, we know that the Hudson Valley has made just about every list of US fall destinations since time immemorial. But there’s a reason why this region comes up year after year: it’s gorgeous when the leaves change colors. That and the fact that it’s a very close escape for New Yorkers in search of some peace, quiet, and fresh air. While the valley of the Hudson River covers a huge mountainous area, you’d be hard pressed to find a rural spot where natural beauty won’t leave you in awe. This is especially true in the fall, when the temperatures are low, but the apples are ripe for the picking. And between the scenic hikes, the orchards, and the many local wineries, distilleries, breweries, and cideries, you won’t lack things to do.

Where to Stay in the Hudson Valley This Fall

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection

Let’s be honest: Wildflower Farms is one of the top hotels (if not the top hotel) in the entire Hudson Valley. That’s why it’s got one Michelin Key. The property consists of 65 cabins set on 140 acres of active farmland, so it’s a real departure from what New Yorkers experience daily. And while the term ‘cabin’ may not usually conjure up a luxurious scene, it’s very much the case here. The decor of each of the accommodations and the common spaces exude quiet luxury. In other words, it’s sophisticated and high quality, but pared back. After all, ostentatiousness has no place on a farm. While the setting is the star of this show, it’s the Thistle Spa and the Clay restaurant that will have you come back again and again, no matter the season.

Glenmere Mansion

Because Glenmere Mansion is on a 150-acre piece of wooded land, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy the world-famous fall foliage of the Hudson Valley. The building that is home to only 15 rooms and suites has a surprisingly Tuscan exterior with a pink facade and blue shutters. You’ll feel transported very far away from New York, while only being one hour away from the city. But the outside vibe is only one of Glenmere Mansion’s many assets. This Relais & Châteaux hotel has an elegant marble-filled spa with a herbal steam room, dry-heat sauna, cool mist room, and many more delightful therapies. The two on-site restaurants serve high-end dishes concocted with local ingredients in a Gilded Age decor. And when you’re not enjoying great food, you can sweat your way around the property at the tennis, bocce, and croquet courts.

Catskills

Much like the Hudson Valley, the Catskills is a very safe destination for those who want to do a bout of leaf-peeping and flee the urban jungle. After all, Catskills Park is a 700,000-acre forest preserve, so there’s enough trees to satisfy any fall enthusiasts. The best views in the entire region are from the five-state lookout in East Windham, but a walk or bike ride in any forest trails should do the trick when it comes to beautiful foliage. And when you have enough of looking at trees, you can partake in Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew and Beverage Festival, Oktoberfest, or even the Beer, Bacon, and Bourbon Festival. One thing you know for sure — you won’t go thirsty in this neck of the woods.

Where to Stay in the Catskills This Fall

The Bradstan Boutique Hotel

Part of the Eldred Preserve, the Bradstan Boutique Hotel is a small establishment of 28 accommodations set among the trees. While the views of Sunrise Lake and the surrounding woods are the highlight of the property, it’s hard not to mention the exquisite decor. A careful balance of rustic and contemporary design provides all the comfort you’re looking for without compromising charming rural vibes. That means that you can have an in-room fireplace, and miles of trails on site, while also enjoying high-speed WiFi, a swimming pool and hot tub, and EV charging stations. And, you can borrow a kayak and enjoy the fall colors from the water. 

Chatwal Lodge

If you want your fall trip to the Catskills to be like the ones in the Hallmark movies, Chatwal Lodge is the place to book. The stone lodge sits on a former 18,000-acre wildlife reserve, so trees are abundant – and so is the quiet you’re desperately looking for. Inside, it’s the picture-perfect American lodge experience with log furniture, wood panels, stone fireplaces, and antler chandeliers. In other words, it’s the perfect fall aesthetics to make all your Insta followers green with envy. There are only 14 accommodations, so you won’t feel crowded, especially when you sit around the communal bonfire for S’mores. But if you want to be removed from other guests, book one of the 1,300-square-foot treehouses. It’s the ultimate luxurious immersion in the woods.

Napa Valley

You don’t get extra points for planning a fall getaway to a destination where the season is nothing but chilly weather and rain. You can opt for somewhere sunny and warm and enjoy yourself too. In Napa Valley, fall temperatures range from the mid-80s to the mid-60s so it’s warm enough to be out and about in shorts and t-shirts. Fall is the time for crush parties and harvest dinners in Napa, especially in September and October, making these two months very busy with tourists. November is a better option if you’re looking for relaxation. Of course, winery visits should top your list of activities in Napa Valley, but a quick ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train is also a great way to enjoy the area’s wines during this special time of year.

Where to Stay in the Napa Valley This Fall

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Let’s get real, nobody goes to Napa to drink water. You’re here for the wine. To immerse yourself fully in the world of wine while in Napa, you can visit wineries after wineries, or you can stay at a hotel that is actually in a vineyard. That’s the case of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley in Calistoga. The five-star property’s suites and residential villas all have views of the growing vines, but to try the stuff, you need to make your way to the onsite Elusa Winery, or Auro, the Michelin-starred restaurant. You can also opt for a romantic grove vineyard picnic if that’s more your speed. The resort’s Spa Talisa also offers grape-based treatments, including the Harvest Facial and the Harvest Grapeseed Ritual. Both treatments end with a complimentary glass of Elusa Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Montage Healdsburg

What’s better than a luxury hotel set among a vineyard? A two-Michelin-Key luxury hotel set among a vineyard, that’s what. Montage Healdsburg is an upscale and modern property a la Frank Lloyd Wright located in the middle of a 250-acre vineyard. The 130 bungalow-style accommodations offer panoramic views of the landscape, including the sun-drenched fall foliage, from large windows and balconies. Besides the Healdsburg wine tastings and the many spa treatments you can indulge in, the hotel offers a variety of experiences ranging from archery to yoga and stargazing among the vines. 

Auberge du Soleil

It’s hard to pass on a hotel that is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant. But when that hotel is also perched on a terraced hillside among 33 acres of oak and olive trees, it’s a no-brainer. Auberge du Soleil (Inn of the Sun) is a property that comprises 50 sun-filled rooms and suites decorated in a sophisticated and modern aesthetic. There are also 18,000-square-foot private maisons available, some with gardens and even outdoor tubs for an al fresco bathing experience. The icing on the cake is that Auberge du Soleil is also a Relais & Château property, which is a guarantee that the service and the food are impeccable. 

Seattle Area

Yes, the Seattle area is rainy, but it’s nothing a solid umbrella and proper clothing can’t handle. So, put on your Gore-Tex and head over to Washington State because the foliage in this part of the nation is spectacular and is worth getting soaked for. You have plenty of options for leaf peeping in this part of the country: Mount Rainier National Park, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Park, Olympic National Park, and more. For the hardcore fall lovers, there’s the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth, as well as many Oktoberfest celebrations, and farmers markets galore for the freshest and juiciest apples and the roundest pumpkins.

Where to Stay in The Seattle Area This Fall

Willows Lodge

Just 30 minutes from Seattle, Willow’s Lodge is the perfect spot to enjoy a luxurious lodge experience without having to travel too far from the city. Don’t expect log furniture and stuffed bear heads on the wall here; the vibe is a mix of modern and cozy. There’s plenty of wood and stone around, but this property is firmly set in the 21st century when it comes to decor. The outdoor hydrotherapy pool and sauna make it easy to enjoy the beauty of the season while staying warm and comfortable. The onsite Fireside Lounge is a good spot to chill with a glass of local wine after a day of outdoor shenanigans. If you’re keen to indulge in the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, make sure to book the Herbfarm Restaurant for dinner. 

Post Hotel

If you want your fall trip to feel like an international adventure, Leavenworth is the destination of choice. The city looks like it was plucked from Bavaria and dropped in the middle of Washington State. And nowhere is this Alpine Germanic atmosphere more evident than at the Post Hotel. The spa retreat is surrounded by mountains and wooded land. The focus at the Post Hotel is wellness so there’s a multitude of saunas, steam rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a very comprehensive spa menu. While all the rooms are top notch, we have a slight preference for the Mountain View Room. With its hand-carved marble soaking tub, fireplace, and impressive views of the river and Cascade Mountain range, it’ll easily win your heart this fall.

Salish Lodge & Spa

If million-dollar views were a hotel, it would be the Salish Lodge & Spa. Sitting up in the mountains and next to the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot for fall colors. The restaurant at Salish Lodge gives guests the feeling of floating above the trees, all while enjoying Pacific Northwest cuisine. All 86 guestrooms are modern yet cozy, with stone fireplaces, wood accents, and high-quality furniture. The spa is equally as enticing, with a waterfall hot tub, sauna, and steam room and many high-end treatments.

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FAQs

Q: How many rooms are there at the Drayton Hotel in Savannah?

A: There are only 50 rooms and suites at Savannah’s Drayton Hotel. 

Q: How far is Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection from New York City?

A: Wildflower Farms is only 1.5 hours from New York City.

Q: How big are the treehouses at Chatwal Lodge in the Catskills?

A: The treehouses offer 1,300-square-foot of space.