There’s no getting around it—fall is the best time of the year for travel.
With the brutal heat and crowded frustration of summer gone and the chilly bite of winter still to come, we’re free to frolic across the world in our best clothes, our best moods, and the best scenery.
If you’ve not already got a trip lined up, don’t worry. We’ve found some of the best hotels for a fall getaway. So, grab your best flannel shirt, because It’s time for some leaf-peeping.
Budget
The Park Vista – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Location: Gatlinburg, Tenessee
Price: $141+
Vibe: Budget but not less brilliant
The rundown: Gatlinburg is something of an underappreciated beauty. Those who know understand how beautiful the Smokies are at any time of the year, but fall is particularly special. The Park Vista is the perfect place to experience it, placing you in the thick of the mountains.
The best part? Rooms start at just $140 depending on your dates, so this lands comfortably inyour budget if you’re counting pennies before the pricey Christmas season. Dollywood’s only a short drive away, too. And why wouldn’t you wanna swing by?
Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines
Location: Napa Valley, California
Price: $125+
Vibe: Vineyard living
The rundown: Think a harvest season Napa Valley trip needs to be expensive? Think again. It might be a Best Western, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value for location ratio anywhere in the region. With rooms starting at just $125, you’ll have plenty of space left in the budget for winery visits.
When low-cost hotels like these are done well, they prioritize the necessities, like clean, comfortable, and modern rooms, with nice touches like the stellar outdoor pool and guestroom balconies thrown in. It’s no-frills, but you’ll have no problems enjoying your time in the valley.
Boutique
Omni Grove Park Inn
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Price: $320+
Vibe: Blue Mountains brilliance
The rundown: Asheville’s already cemented its reputation as a food, beer, and outdoor lover’s mecca for those in the know. But not everyone who has ventured to the hipster capital of North Carolina has discovered its mega luxury hotel, the Omni Grove Park Inn.
Frequented by the likes of Barack Obama, the property’s unequaled location gazes out upon the picturesque valley the city of Asheville inhabits. That view, particularly at sunset, is improved even more as the trees start to turn in the fall. Don’t miss out on the excellent spa or the grandeur of the main lobby and its giant fireplace.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak
Location: Stowe, Vermont
Price: $300+
Vibe: Off-season spectacular
The rundown: It’s no secret that Vermont’s fall colors are spectacular. Despite its reputation, it’s still easy enough to grab a relative bargain at one of its equally epic hotels, like The Lodge at Spruce Peak. Hidden away in its picture-perfect valley, it’s a brilliant spot for a bit of hiking or just admiring the great outdoors at its best.
While the lodge might be best utilized as a ski base, grabbing a room before the snow appears means rooms only just tip over the $300 mark. Better still, it’s a Hyatt property, so if you have a few points lying around, you can put them to good use.
Bougie
Ritz Carlton Central Park
Location: New York City, New York
Price: $1,000+
Vibe: Don’t need to leaf the city
The rundown: Sure, it might not be a getaway as such. But few city hotels command as epic a fall view as the Ritz Carlton NYC. With views overlooking the ever-iconic Central Park as its colors turn to the shimmering gold, yellow, and orange of the season, the Ritz’s guests are privy to a special time of the year in the Big Apple.
Of course, when you can pry yourself away from the best natural show in the city, you can be sure the Ritz has all the typical luxury you can expect from a hotel of that caliber. From bedroom telescopes to a state-of-the-art gym setup, you’re on to a special experience here.
The Point
Location: Saranac Lake, New York
Price: $2,400+
Vibe: Upstate, upscale, and uplifting
The rundown: The Point proudly announces on its website that it’s the only Forbes 5-Star property in Upstate New York. And you can bet they’ve earned the honor. Originally a family home for a Rockefeller, it kept its luxury origins close to its heart.
With 75 acres to its name, guests are free to roam through the woods and alongside the stunning Saranac Lake before retreating back into the world-class hospitality at the lodge. The food is sensational, the service is unrivaled, and the experience is steadily magnificent from the moment you arrive.