A weekend away from day-to-day life with our loved ones is good for the soul and a great way to breathe new life into our relationships. From cozy cabins and outdoor excursions to luxe spas and destination culinary classes, here are 10 ideas for romantic getaways around the South.
Unplug at Getaway House
Multiple Locations Across the United States
This minimalist tiny home experience lets you unplug and unwind with zero planning headaches. Your turn-key stay is affordable but oh-so-romantic. Bring the essentials, stow your phones in the provided lock box, and snuggle up by the giant window or outdoor fire. They’re also offering 20% off bookings through March, so even last-minute getaways are at your fingertips.
Book a Spa Day at Omni Grove Park Inn
Asheville, North Carolina
The South’s favorite spa is always a good bet for a romantic stay. The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn has 43,000 square feet of subterranean mineral-based pools, 20 water features, and networks of cavernous rock walls, arches, and tunnels. Relax together in the therapeutic waterfall pools or the lap pool blanketed with 6,500 fiber-optic stars. Before and after your treatments, grab a warm blanket, snack, and hot drink and cozy up in an oversize chair by the fireside lounges and hot tubs. Day passes are also available if you just want to enjoy the spa.
Celebrate Your “Amour Fou” (Passionate Love) at Maison de la Luz
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is about as romantic as Southern cities come, and whimsical Maison de la Luz tops our boutique hotel bucket list. They’ll take your romantic rendezvous to new heights with lavish touches like an in-suite couples’ massage, $100 credit at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, a bottle of champagne, rose petal turndown service, and a bubble bath. Here’s a helpful, full itinerary for a romantic getaway in New Orleans.
Clip Into Blackberry Farm’s Tour de Smokies
Walland, Tennessee
Tour de Smokies is a three-day cycling camp that happens each spring and fall at Blackberry Farm. It’s the perfect escape for lovers who also love fitness and outdoor adventure. Experienced riders and beginners alike can enjoy scenic routes and instruction from Robbie Ventura and the Blackberry Farm Cycling team. Before, during, and after your treks through the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blackberry Farm Culinary team fuels you with delicious snacks and nourishing meals. The *chef’s kiss* of the experience? Exclusive wine tastings with world-renowned visiting winemakers. And everything else at Blackberry Farm, of course.
Eat Through a Culinary Class at The Kitchen at Little Pond Farm
Vilas, North Carolina
The Kitchen at Little Pond Farm is not a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience. Head Chef Hunter Hallmark leads you through a lively creation of a four-course meal. Eager learners can participate in the prep and cooking, or you can opt to sit back and enjoy the flavors and conversation. Book a cooking class and a room so you can truly enjoy those wine pairings. The inn also has a spa and rotating workshops that range from art to fitness. The town of Vilas is 10 miles from Boone and 30 minutes from Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, so you’re close to countless outdoor activities and picturesque mountain towns.
Cozy Up With “Fire & Wine” at The Ritz-Carlton
Amelia Island, Florida
Don’t skip the beach during the coastal “off-season!” Temps can still be warm enough for beach lounging, and if you’re staying somewhere like the Ritz, there are ample ways to fill your days. With this package, you’ll get a luxurious private terrace suite with a cozy fire. Your stay starts with a bottle of fine wine and a charcuterie spread. During your getaway, there are eco-tours, bourbon tastings, and delectable coastal fare at every turn.
Escape to Blue Ridge in a Tiny Cabin
Blue Ridge, Georgia
La Pequena Pecos is a modern-but-rustic tiny cabin that offers great views, peaceful quiet, and natural serenity. Its king-sized bed beckons you to sleep in, and an outdoor fire pit and multilevel porch are perfect perches for sunset gazing. All cabin guests have access to the top-rated Old Toccoa Farm golf course (at member guest rates), and fishermen can dip into the privately accessed Fighting Town Creek just steps away from the front door. If you want to leave the cabin, you’re just six miles from downtown Blue Ridge, one of our favorite small towns in Georgia.
Book This Fairytale Suite at Wildflower Ranch Inn
Springfield, Kentucky
Located in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and smack-dab in the middle of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Wildflower Ranch Inn is an 1871-built manor house with ample ways to learn and relax. For the most romantic amenities, book the Blackberry Blossom Suite — a fairytale-inspired suite with a fireplace, huge jet tub, steam room with multi-head shower, and king-sized canopy bed. During your stay, hop over to Maker’s Mark and Limestone Branch distilleries, and check out the on-property art studio, The Art Distillery.
Roll VIP-Style to Beaufort’s Film Festival at The Beaufort Inn
Beaufort, South Carolina
If you’re a couple who loves to binge-watch and see the latest movies, boy, does The Beaufort Inn have a red-carpet treatment for you. Book any four-night stay at this charming inn during the Beaufort International Festival (February 21 to 26, 2023), and get a VIP All Access Pass for all the exciting events and showings. (You’ll have to buy your guest’s pass, but this package saves you $350!) If you don’t come on that specific week, this boutique inn is the perfect way to experience Beaufort. Snag a few complimentary bikes and head to the beach at idyllic Huntington Beach State Park.
Book The Great Escape at The Alluvian
Greenwood, Mississippi
The Alluvian is the Mississippi Delta’s heart of hospitality. It’s got a renowned cooking school and a 7,000-square-foot luxury spa, and it’s in perfect proximity to all of the sites and sounds of the Delta. This package includes two nights in a luxurious room, a full Southern breakfast each morning, two specialty cocktails at Giardina’s bar, two 50-minute custom massages, 20% off two seats in a cooking class at the Viking Cooking School, and shopping discounts from many beloved Greenwood merchants.
Book the sitter, make plans, and celebrate your love with a few romantic getaways this year!
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