TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT: FALL WEEKEND ESCAPES

October 5, 2020

October is the perfect time for a road trip. The hot summer weather has been replaced with mild and brisk temps, leaves begin to show off in certain parts of the country, woodsmoke fills the air and pumpkin displays line up on every doorstep. It is also one of the last months of the year we have left to take advantage of the great outdoors, something that has become an absolute necessity during this time of Covid-19.

We rounded up a mix of mini escapes—all reasonable drives or short flights from major cities that have stunning scenery, fewer crowds, farm to table gastronomy, over-the-top spas and blazing fires. The details below —

TWIN FARMS

Barnard, Vermont

Getting Here: A 5 hour drive from NYC, 3 hour drive from Boston and a 45 minute drive from Lebanon, NH Airport.

Starting Rates: $2100 a night plus tax. ( The rates include accommodations, all food, beverage and activities excluding spa )

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Canoeing, Tennis, Kayaking, Golf, Wine Tastings and Spa.

Mapps X Twin Farms:

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
House made honey with locally made pottery (value of $150 USD)

P.S. To elevate your romance game, book a private dinner in their wine cellar.

THE POINT

Saranac Lake, NY

Getting Here: A 3 hour drive from NYC and Boston and a 45 minute drive from Adirondack Regional Airport.

Starting Rates: $2400 a night plus tax. ( The rates include accommodations, all food, beverage and activities excluding spa )

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Boating, Kayaking, Wine Tastings, Classic Movies and Spa.

Mapps X The Point :

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Spa Credit

P.S. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat ride over to their private island where the team from The Point will have a 3 course lunch set up and full bar waiting just for you.

MAYFLOWER INN & SPA

Washington, CT

Getting Here: A 1 hour and 45 minute drive from NYC.

Starting Rates: $600 a night plus tax.

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Tennis, Archery, Yoga, Cocktail Classes, Wine Tastings and Spa.

Mapps X The Mayflower :

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Daily Breakfast
$100 food and beverage credit

P.S. Just down the road is Arethusa Farm & Dairy, where Manolo Blahnik’s President and VP George Malkemus and Tony Yurgaitis have been at the helm since 1999. They produce the most delicious ice cream, cheeses and their restaurant is a must when in town. We also love Averill Farm Stand, a great stop before you head home to pick up their famous apple cider donuts, homemade jams, honey, cheeses and pies.

EDGEWOOD TAHOE

Stateline, Nevada

Getting Here: A 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco or a 1 hour drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Starting Rates: $400 a night plus tax.

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Boating, Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Golf and Spa.

Mapps X Edgewood :

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Daily Breakfast
$100 food and beverage credit

P.S. While the food and wine game is strong at Edgewood, we are also big fans of nearby Cafe Fiore and Scusa.

HOTEL JEROME

Aspen, Colorado

Getting Here: A 3.5 hour drive from Denver, Colorado, a 10 minute drive from Aspen-Pitkin Airport or a one hour drive from Eagle Country Regional Airport.

Starting Rates: $675.00 a night plus tax.

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Golf, Tennis, Shopping, Fishing, Art Museums and Spa.

Mapps X Hotel Jerome :

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Daily Breakfast
$100 food and beverage credit

P.S. British painter Rose Wylie’s work is on display this fall at the Aspen Art Museum.

THE INN AT PERRY CABIN

St. Michael’s, Maryland

Getting Here: A 90 minute drive from Baltimore, a 2 hour drive from Washington, D.C and a 3.5 hour drive from NYC. All 3 cities have international airports and train stations.

Starting Rates: $675.00 a night plus tax.

Activities: Sailing, Kayaking, Golf, Tennis, Biking, Wine Tastings and Spa.

Mapps X Inn at Perry Cabin :

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Daily Breakfast
$100 resort credit
$200 food and beverage credit

P.S. Be sure to hit up the charming town of St. Michaels, only 5 minutes by foot from the Inn. We loved the martinis at Awful Arthur’s, our meals at 208 Talbot and Limencello and the home decor edit at Come by Chance.

BLACKBERRY FARM

Walland, Tennessee

Getting Here: A 30 minute drive from Knoxville, TN Airport, a 3 hour drive from Atlanta, GA and a 6 hour drive from Charleston, SC.

Starting Rates: $1000 a night plus tax. ( The rates include accommodations and all meals, excluding alcohol )

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding, Archery, Clay Shooting, Wine Tastings, Kayaking and Spa.

Mapps X Blackberry Farm:

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
10 percent off rates
$100 spa credit

P.S. The natural farm fresh face lift is a game changer.

Ready to book?

THE CLIENT POSTCARD: A LONG WEEKEND IN MONTREAL

September 30, 2020

Hotel: Four Seasons Montreal

The hotel was beautiful and service was stellar. We ate several meals at the hotel restaurant (Marcus) and also had happy hours/tea times at the hotel bar. The aesthetic was so clean and location was pretty central. It is hard not to love everything about this hotel, but its definitely a different vibe from the old town Montreal hotels that are more traditional and quaint. The Four Seasons is much more contemporary and you can tell it is brand new. The older French-influenced charm won't be found at this hotel.

Trip Highlights: We went the first week of December, so we were able to enjoy the Holiday Markets and plenty of mulled wine. Our favorite restaurants on the trip were Liverpool House (Sam) and Provisions Restaurant (Cassie). Liverpool House is one of the can't miss quintessential Montreal spots and I'm SO glad we booked a reservation weeks in advance. The food and wine list were equally impressive. Provisions House is more of an experience. There's a small black chalkboard that lists all of the ingredients used in the menu that night (in French) (changes daily). You decide between 5 courses and 7 courses without seeing what the plates are and the chef surprises you with 5 or 7 courses based on the ingredients of the night. Each plate was delicious and it super fun staying on our toes about what was coming next!

Cassie & Sam’s Tips: DO NOT skip Atwater Cocktail Club - if you can find it :) This speakeasy-style bar serves specialty cocktails and is packed with locals going out for late night drinks with their friends. We sat in the corner of the bar and spent a few hours people watching and expanding our French vocabulary.

TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT: A WEEKEND GETAWAY IN CONNECTICUT

July 9, 2020

Located in the charming town of Washington, Connecticut, lies the Mayflower Inn & Spa, an exquisite country retreat, nestled in 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands. Just a two hours’ drive from New York City, it is renowned as one of northeast America’s most distinguished luxury hideaways.

The idyllic countryside of Litchfield Hills has long been a nature lovers paradise and the Inn keeps guests engaged with the great outdoors with offerings such as hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle, pool, spa and tennis. The best part is the food due to the incredible local ingredients found in the surrounding Connecticut countryside and just off the New England coast, from artisan cheeses to the freshest shellfish, sourced through specially cultivated relationships with area farmers and purveyors.

Room to book? We are big fans of the premium guest rooms that overlook the Shakespeare gardens and The Mayflower Suite. When booking with MAPPS, clients receive a complimentary room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2 and a 100.00 food and beverage credit.