6 Early Fall Escapes for Some Much Needed R&R
/Driving distance options for a relaxing weekend
By Tim Ebner | Edible DC
Labor Day is just a few weeks away, and for many, this summer’s travel plans were either postponed, interrupted, or completely upended due to the coronavirus.
But getting away and enjoying some much-needed downtime isn’t a total loss this season. For those still searching for a weekend away, or even a quick overnight trip, there are plenty of options within a short drive of D.C.
Each of these resorts prioritizes guests’ safety, whether it’s a remote check-in experience, dining and drinking al-fresco, or routine cleaning procedures.
Here are six trip options, for a variety of budgets that range from affordable escapes to a splurge-worthy special occasion, whether you’re searching for something by land, water, or even way-up in the air.
four outdoor options for Private dining at the inn at perry cabin | Tim ebner
Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland
DC Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Average Nightly Room Rate: $805
Another luxury option for a stay by the Chesapeake Bay is the Inn at Perry Cabin, which sits on a prominent waterfront stretch overlooking the historic town of St Michaels, Maryland. Many of the rooms here feature exterior entry for easy room access, and the al-fresco dining options also make this a safe option for dining while maintaining social distance. The latest addition is four private dining options, including two secluded greenhouses and an open-air gazebo that seats up to four, positioned on the lush lawns overlooking the Miles River.
Inn at Perry Cabin’s Executive Chef Gregory James oversees the menu, which is a sea and farm-to-table menu featuring the summer’s bounty of the Eastern Shore. Guests can enjoy freshly caught seafood paired with locally sourced vegetables and herbs, grown in the Inn’s gardens. Meanwhile, signature dishes include grilled Maryland rockfish, J.M. Clayton Maryland crab soup, and softshell crab BLTs.
The Tides Inn, Irvington, Virginia
DC Drive Time: 3 hours | Average Nightly Room Rate: $250
For a pool to call your own near the Rappahannock River, visit this lush waterfront property with plenty of Virginia charm. This is the Northern Neck region, which means you’ll want to slurp down a few oysters from the property’s Fish Hawk Oyster Bar. Many of the bivalves are exclusive to the hotel and grown in surrounding rivers and creeks. The Inn offers an Oyster Academy for those looking to refine their taste and appreciation for a Virginia seafood staple. It’s also a family-friendly resort with plenty of outdoor activities, including bocce ball, biking, and Duffy boats that you can rent by the hour.
Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center
DC Drive Time: 2 hours 30 minutes | Average Nightly Room Rate: $550
This is a splurge-worthy hotel for a special occasion in the City of Brotherly Love, whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, or mini-moon, but it’s also a great reason to get away for some much needed R&R. Check-in remotely, then put on a robe, slip into some slippers, and order room service. The amenities, service, and food at this five-star resort, which towers above the Philadelphia skyline, is worth it, if only for a night’s stay, but you’ll probably want to stay a few nights longer.
At 59 floors above Philadelphia, this hotel is one of the highest hotels in the country, which means you’ll be dreaming in literal clouds. It’s also the latest addition to the Four Seasons portfolio, a brand that has prioritized guest safety with its Lead With Care Program. Best of all, there is a special $100 credit for in-room dining, compliments of the kitchen overseen by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, for stays of two nights or longer.
Photo: Omni Bedford Springs
DC Drive Time: 2 hours 30 minutes | Average Nightly Room Rate: $250
Those who prefer a resort tucked away into the foothill of the Cumberland mountain range will want to head just over the Maryland border to the small town of Bedford, Pennsylvania. This historic property features plenty of outdoor space, including golf, swimming, tennis, and nightly bonfires. There’s also plenty of trailheads to wander, plus offsite activities such as fly fishing and horseback riding, not to mention a natural hot spring that’s perfect for a deep soak. It’s been the main draw here for weary travelers for decades.
DC Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes | Average Nightly Room Rate: $150
Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island sits on 9-acres in a tiny waterman village that’s surrounded by sunrise and sunset views. The property skews toward younger travelers with budget-friendly room options and plenty of outdoor activities, including a saltwater-heated pool, lawn games, and canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Locals also gravitate here for Tickler’s Crab Shack, Bar Mumbo, and a private marina with 25 boat slips.
Chef Jordan Lloyd is no stranger to D.C.’s dining scene either. He has held several stints as a chef, including under Michel Richard at Citronelle and Cedric Maupillier at Mintwood Place. But he’s also well-versed in Eastern Shore cuisine, including crab cakes, pan-seared scallops, and steamed crabs piled high and perfect for picking on the covered dock.
DC Drive Time: 2 hours | Average Nightly Room Rate: $150
Pier450, which gets its name from the length of its waterfront pier, which is 450 feet in length, is a recently opened and rejuvenated 1940s-era fishing camp with eight boutique-style rooms. The price is right, room rates are just $150 per night, and there it’s a quaint slice of St. Mary’s county, which means social distancing isn’t a challenge at all.
Outside, you’ll find porches, Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit, and cornhole boards. There is also a private beach and kayaks available for guests to enjoy for free. And after Labor Day, the hotel’s restaurant and bar opened for nightly service.
Tim Ebner is a contributing writer for The Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Eater, and Thrillist. He is a regular contributor to Edible DC Magazine, where he has been the drinks columnist for six years and was nominated for the 2020 IACP Food Writing Awards: Beverage Focused Column. He lives in Washington, DC and is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland.
