Romantic hotels near US cities for a weekend getaway

There’s a common misconception that you need to book a flight to experience honeymoon-worthy romance. Often, when couples envision a dreamy getaway (think: overwater bungalows, waterfront dinners and unforgettable views), they assume such wow factors can only be found overseas.

But the reality is quite the opposite: It’s entirely possible to take this type of vacation without ever having to go through airport security. Because, while we love the idea of jetting off somewhere far away, sometimes, air travel isn’t in the cards.

From Texas to Rhode Island, a number of stellar domestic hotels and resorts deliver just as much romance as their far-flung counterparts (and then some). Picture glamping under the stars, couples massages by the fire or your own private stretch of white sand beach. And the best part? These hotels are all located within a few hours’ drive of major U.S. cities, making them each a great option for a passport-free weekend getaway.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, after all.

Topping Rose House: Bridgehampton, New York

This leafy estate feels like the setting of a romance novel, and it’s just two hours from Manhattan.

Located in the charming town of Bridgehampton on Long Island, Topping Rose House is a mansion-turned-boutique hotel — and part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, so Hilton Honors members are in luck. Here, couples are treated like royalty when it comes to luxury offerings like Jean-Georges Vongerichten-linked cuisine for room service, luxurious Frette linens and an exquisite spa. But with its intimate size and contemporary-cool aesthetic, Topping Rose feels delightfully low-key. In other words? You get all the elegance, without the fuss.

Couples stay in rooms outfitted with four-poster beds, soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the neatly landscaped grounds. In the morning, you can enjoy coffee on your private patio before popping into Bridgehampton or heading to the beach for the day. (The hotel offers a private shuttle in a BMW, fittingly.) There’s plenty to do on-property as well, between curated wellness classes, a heated lap pool and the restaurant helmed by chef Vongerichten.

Rates at Topping Rose House start at $583 or 140,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Under Canvas Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon Junction, Arizona

Those looking to get away from it all — and get acquainted with the great outdoors — will be hard-pressed to find a more romantic option than this glamping resort. Under Canvas, which is now part of World of Hyatt, delivers exactly what its name describes, inviting couples to sleep in plush safari tents under the stars.

Occupying a lush desert inside Grand Canyon National Park, the resort is worth the three-hour drive from Phoenix, but it’s also accessible from Las Vegas (via a 3 1/2-hour drive). Here, couples sleep in style thanks to the upscale tents, which are outfitted with king-size beds, faux sheepskin and cowhide rugs, and wood-burning fireplace stoves. (In case you were wondering: Yes, each tent has a private bathroom with a toilet that flushes.) Days can be spent doing yoga among the cactuses, taking ranger-led wildlife hikes and exploring the iconic canyon. Come evening, there’s cornhole and live music by the fire, plus locally inspired cocktails at the outdoor bar.

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Lovebirds should book the Stargazer Tent, which includes a special window above the bed to admire the night sky.

Rates at Under Canvas Grand Canyon start at $381 or 22,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Please note that this resort is seasonal: The 2025 dates of operation are April 16 to Oct. 27.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa: Little Torch Key, Florida

This adults-only Relais & Chateaux escape is the closest you’ll get to a private island getaway sans passport. Located on its own island off Key West, Little Palm Island delivers all the romance factors you’d expect, starting with the arrival experience. From its outpost on the mainland — which is a 2 1/2-hour drive from Miami — couples are whisked to the resort by seaplane or private boat, with spiced rum cocktails in hand.

On the property, guests stay in thatched-roof bungalows with Balinese-inspired furnishings and wooden decks draped with butterfly netting. Many of the suites open to a private stretch of beach, giving couples their very own “Castaway” moment among the mangrove forests, coral reefs and powdery sand.

Rates at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa start at $1,700 per night.

Post Ranch Inn: Big Sur, California

Made legendary by John Steinbeck novels and HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” the coast of Big Sur is one of the country’s most dazzling settings. The central California region is just a three-hour drive from San Francisco. But with its dramatic cliffs and emerald forests — not to mention a certain romantic resort — the destination feels worlds away.

Couples looking to experience Big Sur should look no further than Post Ranch Inn, a cliffside refuge beloved by honeymooners, foodies and adventurers. Here, the landscape takes center stage, with every element of the guest experience celebrating the scenery. Couples stay in sleek, midcentury-inspired suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor decks and soaking tubs perched over the ocean. Days can be spent admiring the Pacific Ocean from the infinity pool, hiking through the redwood trees with the on-site naturalist or indulging in a couples massage overlooking mountain peaks. And at Sierra Mar, guests are treated to sea-to-table cuisine and local vino sourced from the hotel’s award-winning wine cellar.

Rates at Post Ranch Inn start at $1,825 per night. Book through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.

Related: Driving one of America’s best road trips: 3 days in Big Sur

The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection: Newport, Rhode Island

This Auberge hotel, a boutique gem, feels like the set of a Nancy Meyers film, giving couples a chance to star in their very own romantic comedy for the weekend.

Nestled on a tree-lined street in Newport (just 90 minutes from Boston), The Vanderbilt puts couples within walking distance of Newport’s charms, including Bowen’s Wharf, with its lobster eateries and posh shops. From the harbor, duos can take a sailing lesson or a romantic charter (bookable through the hotel).

But we wouldn’t blame you for hiding out at The Vanderbilt for your entire stay. The Gilded Age mansion practically exudes glamour everywhere from its lobby (complete with a velvet-topped imperial staircase) to its guest rooms (adorned with jewel tones and bergere armchairs). Here, days begin with yoga on the sun-soaked roof deck, followed by oysters in the garden atrium and tarot readings in the cozy parlor. And at the spa, couples can book the “duet experience,” complete with local wine by the fire.

Rates at The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection start at $345 per night. Book through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.

Miraval Austin: Austin

Perched above the rolling hills and misty lakes of Texas Hill Country, this adults-only Miraval resort is just outside of Austin but within a three-hour drive of Dallas and Houston, making it a great option for many Texas couples.

The resort’s infinity pools and elevated cuisine are reasons alone to visit. But it’s the wellness offerings that truly set the Miraval property apart. Upon arrival, couples are encouraged to set an intention for their stay that will help them curate an itinerary of treatments and experiences. These range from floating meditation and craniosacral therapy at the spa to Yin Yoga, horseback riding and beekeeping. The resort even offers line dancing and hatchet throwing (because this is Texas, after all).

For couples, Miraval Austin offers a specialized itinerary that includes mindful relationship counseling, ropes course challenges and tarot card readings. (And if this sounds a bit intense for your taste, don’t worry: You can indulge in plenty of Jacuzzi time, romantic dinners and couples spa treatments instead.)

Rates at Miraval Austin start at $940 or 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee: Greensboro, Georgia

Southern hospitality meets lake life at this Ritz-Carlton resort situated 90 minutes away (by car) from Atlanta.

Nestled between a sparkling lake and lush forest, this setting is about as peaceful as it gets — and couples are invited to unwind in style. This could mean a private cabana by the infinity pool overlooking the lake, cocktails in the lobby speakeasy or treatments (Himalayan salt stone massages or marine algae facials, anyone?) at the newly renovated spa, with its serene indoor pool.

Many guests come to The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds for its nearby golf courses and lake activities, which range from boating and fishing in summer to ice skating in winter. But the resort’s plush rooms are an even better reason to stay. Accommodations offer plenty of features for lovebirds, including private patios and fire pits, balconies with rocking chairs, four-poster beds and free-standing tubs.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee start at $562 or 104,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton: La Quinta, California

There’s a lot to love about La Quinta, starting with its dreamy desert setting. It’s located in Coachella Valley — a lush, palm tree-dotted oasis — which promises epic sunsets and balmy weather year-round. It’s also just two hours from Los Angeles by car.

Couples stay in traditional Spanish casitas featuring romantic touches like outdoor fireplaces, French doors and private patios opening to green space. And while it’s tempting to lounge all day at the resort’s 41 (yes, you read that correctly) swimming pools, there’s plenty more to do at La Quinta. Many guests come for the nearby hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and the golf courses, along with the tennis and pickleball courts on the property.

But there’s no shortage of romantic experiences here, too. It could be hot tubbing under the stars or bike riding through the desert. It could be yoga classes, couples massages or live music and farm-to-table dining. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to taste your perfect margarita that’s handpicked for you from a collection of 100-plus tequilas at the alfresco Mexican restaurant.

Rates at La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton start at $215 or 61,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Related: Best hotels in Palm Springs that are an oasis in the desert

Inn at Perry Cabin: St. Michaels, Maryland

The Inn at Perry Cabin is a love letter to the Chesapeake Bay, where lapping shores and fiery sunsets deliver romance on a silver platter.

Located 90 minutes from Baltimore and two hours from Washington, D.C., the resort occupies a waterfront estate complete with tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course and a lawn dotted with Adirondack chairs. The Inn at Perry Cabin offers a taste of coastal living at its finest, with an impressive fleet of boats at guests’ disposal, from a 1902 Skipjack to a 55-foot Hinckley Yacht. On the water, couples can go for a sail, explore the river wildlife on paddleboards or visit an oyster reef before enjoying them fresh on board.

Back on land, accommodations consist of contemporary suites with private terraces, fireplaces and soaking tubs. Days can be spent by the infinity pool or at the spa, where couples treatments take place in the dreamy garden. And for an extra-special meal, lovebirds can dine on fresh-caught seafood in a private waterfront boathouse for the evening.

Rates at the Inn at Perry Cabin start at $349 per night. Book through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.

Surf Hotel: Buena Vista, Colorado

With a name like Surf Hotel, you may be wondering how this Mr & Mrs Smith hotel ended up in land-locked Colorado. This irony is precisely the fun of Surf Hotel, a boutique gem in the Rocky Mountains town of Buena Vista, which is a two-hour drive from Denver. We love Surf Hotel for a choose-your-own-adventure weekend because couples can enjoy all manner of outdoor activities (more on that below) or simply savor a cocktail by the fireplace in their vintage-inspired room.

Thanks to its riverfront location, guests get a front-row seat to the roaring rapids from their rocking chairs on the terrace. But the river isn’t just for show, as couples can embark on white water rafting and — yes — river surfing from the hotel. There are also plenty of hiking, mountain bike and snowshoe trails nearby.

A major draw of Surf Hotel is the Wesley & Rose restaurant, where live music and creative cuisine come together in an industrial-inspired dining room. The bar serves clever interpretations of classic recipes, with signature Colorado bourbon and rare Green Chartreuse. As a nice (and very Colorado) touch, CBD bitters can be added to any cocktail.

Rates at Surf Hotel start at $200 or 16,250 World of Hyatt points per night.

The Abbey Resort: Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin

Boasting a 60-year legacy, this Lake Geneva resort is a beloved getaway for Midwesterners. The Abbey Resort is a 90-minute drive from Chicago (and just an hour from Milwaukee) and enjoys a coveted location on 90 acres of lakefront scenery. Here, couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities on the water — they’re just one block from sandy Fontana Beach, inviting swimming and paddleboarding in summer and ice fishing in winter. On-property amenities include an adults-only outdoor pool, a cinema, a skating rink and bicycles for nearby exploration.

While The Abbey is a budget-friendly hotel, couples won’t miss out on romance. At the spa, which is a cool 35,000 square feet, lovebirds can swim in the peaceful atrium pool and choose from a menu of magnesium treatments, lavender aromatherapy and side-by-side massages. Come evening, there’s live piano music and Tuscan fare (think: wild mushroom ravioli and tiramisu) with marina views. And the hotel’s romance package comes complete with in-room truffles and sparkling wine.

Rates at The Abbey Resort start at $129 per night.

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