The Best Fall Resorts in the US

Are you looking to get away this season but don't want to leave the US to experience the luxury and convenience of a resort? Whether you love fall foliage, beautiful beaches, or just want to get away from it all, we've got you covered. Here are the top resorts in the US for this fall.

The Best US Resorts for Fall Foliage:

For those of you who like your autumn traditional, with cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and fireside chats, this section is for you. These US resorts are all prime locations to see foliage and experience all the best joys of fall.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (Lake Placid, New York)

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa feels more like the Swiss Alps than a scenic 5-hour drive from New York City. US evergreens surround the resort, reflected by the lake, painting the illusion that trees hold up the building. Inside, wooded walls and blazing fireplaces encourage cozy nights spent sipping hot cocoa with a good book. 

Secluded in the Adirondack Mountains, Mirror Lake Inn has on-site dining, an award-winning spa, saunas, a fitness center, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and a guests-0nly beach. Rooms come with private balconies to enjoy the lake and mountain views—fall foliage peaks from mid-September through mid-October.

Winnetu Oceanside Resort (Martha’s Vineyard, Massetuchettes)

Winnetu Oceanside is Martha's Vineyard's only resort, steps from South Beach. While Martha's Vineyard might be the most popular in the summer, fall is equally as beautiful; the giant sugar maples and cedars reach their peak colors in late October. 

Perfect for families or couples, Winnetu Oceanside Resort has 1-4 bedroom suites, studios, and cottages. In the fall, resort-goers can expect weekly New England-style clambakes, lighthouse and kayak tours, sunset cruises, bike rentals, and day trips to the sister resort on Nantucket. 

The resort has heated swimming pools, a health club, a complimentary children's program (child care), and a tennis court. The on-site restaurant, The Dunes, overlooks South Beach with cozy fire pits perfect for socializing.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk (Newport, Rhode Island)

The Chanler is a luxury hotel set inside an 1800s mansion and the only accommodation on Newport's famed Cliff Walk. Surrounded by acres of manicured gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the property takes you back to the Gilded, old-world elegance of New England's cliffside mansions.

Each room at The Chanler is designed around a historical period so expect dramatic canopy beds, tiled fireplaces, and massive marble bathtubs. Hot Chocolate Bar at The Chanler serves up artisanal comforts, perfect for sipping fireside. 

Newport's famous Ten Mile Drive is a scenic loop that winds around the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, the perfect opportunity to see changing leaves among the Gilded Age mansions and the forest fringe of Brenton Point State Park. Foliage peaks October-November, but you can catch stunning colors any time throughout the season.

The Best Secluded Resorts in the US:

Ready to ditch the crowds and unplug from the world? These are three secluded resorts in the US that are off-the-beaten-path, perfect for your fall escape.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa (Tabernash, Colorado)

The Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa defines ‘secluded’ as it embraces the pioneer spirit of the early homesteaders. You’ll forget you’re not a rancher with authentic western adventures like horseback riding, fly fishing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and zip-lining in the resort’s 6,500 acres of unspoiled Rocky Mountain wilderness. 

When you’re done roughing it, modern comforts such as a full-service spa, fine dining, heated pool, hot tub, and private rustic cabins await. Compliment your ranch experience with cowboy boots, leather belts, embroidered tops, earth tones, and natural jewelry.

The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage (Rancho Mirage, California)

Hidden away in the Santa Rosa Mountain range, The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage is perched on a 650-foot bluff overlooking star-studded Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. The Rancho Mirage is designed to reflect the desert and mountains using natural stone and wood. 

Relax in the outdoor pools and firepits overlooking Coachella Valley or socialize at one of the resort's outdoor pools. Take a day trip to Palm Springs or one of the many golf courses nearby. Reserve a day to drive the hour to Joshua Tree National Park, one of California's most iconic natural attractions and home of the rare and nearly extinct Joshua Tree.

Primland Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection (Meadows of Dan, Virginia)

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are a natural paradise of forested peaks and sun-dappled valleys. In the center of the mountains lies the Primaland Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection, a 12,000-acre luxury estate. 

Things to do at Primland Resort include horseback riding through the forest or hiking a green mountain trail. Choose to stay at the lodge, a private log cabin, or one of the treehouses nested above the Dan River Gorge. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and other wildlife, especially during sunrise and sunset, and go star gazing at the on-site observatory.

The Best US Resorts for Beach Lovers:

Not ready to let go of summer's warm embrace? Lucky for you, some of the finest beach resorts in the entire world are right here in the US, with no passport required! Here are the best places in the US to catch a tan this fall.

The Breakers (Palm Beach, Florida)

Built in 1896 by Henry M. Flagler and managed by the Flagler family to this day, The Breakers is an Italian Renaissance-style resort on 140 acres of Palm Beach oceanfront.

Ten restaurants range from relaxed beachfront to upscale and chic. The private beach club has pools with luxurious poolside bungalows and whirlpool spas. The Breakers has golf courses, tennis courts, a Forbes Five-Star spa, an oceanfront fitness center, and 13 boutiques in the onsite shopping plaza.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Maui, Hawaii)

A short, 4-minute walk from world-famous Wailea Beach, Four Seasons Resort Maui is an oceanfront paradise dotted with palm trees and plumeria. Onsite dining options highlight a blend of Hawaiian and California cuisine with ocean views, and the adults-only infinity pool with a swim-up bar are guest favorites.

Although you are less than a mile from all the conveniences of The Shops at Wailea, The Four Seasons Spa has all the aloha you need: a massage under an open-air hut next to the beach.

The Westin St. John Resort (St. John, US Virgin Islands)

Situated along 47 acres of white sand beaches at Great Cruz Bay on the island of St. John, US Virgin Islands, is The Westin St. John Resort Villas. Walk directly from your room to the warm, shallow waters of Cruz Bay, where you can snorkel, kayak, and swim with sea turtles-no tour needed! Make time to hop on a safari and explore the nearby beaches, jungles, and ancient ruins of the Virgin Islands National Park.

The Westin's Cruz Bay Prime restaurant has fresh-caught seafood and choice steak cuts. Beach Café overlooks the islands and bay, the perfect place for coffee at sunrise. Each villa at The Westin comes with kitchens, washers and dryers, big living and dining room areas, and private balconies with ocean views, essential for a solid week in paradise.

What to Pack?

When you’re heading to destinations in the cooler climates, be sure to bring styles that layer easily like tanks over sweaters, in case of a mild afternoon or rigorous walk, and  cozy jackets and coats for warmth at night.  

If warm beach resorts are your thing, don’t put away those swimsuits and flowy maxi dresses from summer just yet. You’ll want to take them along, plus sandals and cover ups for soaking up the sun.

No matter the getaway, palazzo pants are always welcome for travel ease and outfits for dinners and the nightlife. Check out bostonproper.com for these looks and more as you plan out your packing list.