8 Unforgettable boutique hotels for a romantic fall getaway

Autumn – it’s a magical time. Temperatures drop, the leaves turn riotous shades of crimson, saffron, and orange, and the crips air makes you want to take a brisk walk and then cozy up with your loved one.

Here are eight unforgettable boutique hotels in the USA for a romantic Fall getaway.


New York City, New York

New York City is enchanting in the fall, when the weather is still nice, and the parks are perfect for walking. Here are a few boutique hotels I love in the Big Apple.

The Library Hotel

The Library Hotel, New York City / Copyright the Library Hotel
The Library Hotel, New York City / Copyright the Library Hotel

Are you and your loved one bibliophiles?  The Library Hotel concept is inspired by the Dewey Decimal system. Each of the ten guestroom floors feature one of the ten categories of the Dewey Decimal System, and each of the sixty rooms has a lavish collection of books and art within the category it belongs to.

This hotel is a lovely place for couples to unwind after spending a day exploring the city, and cuddle up with a selection of more than 6,000 books!  (There are DVDs as well if your honey isn’t into reading).

In the evening, enjoy a reception in the elegant Reading Room where you’ll find Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh bread, crackers, and crudités.  At night, the turndown service offers bottled water and delicious Belgian chocolates.

Breakfast is a bountiful selection of pastries, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereals, boiled eggs, yogurt, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino.

For great autumn views of the city’s famed Public Library, head up to the hotel’s rooftop terrace, a beautiful setting for a daytime celebration or wedding ceremony for up to 50 guests.

Hotel Giraffe

The elegant lobby of the Hotel Giraffe.
Lobby of the Hotel Giraffe, New York City / Copyright the Hotel Giraffe

Also part of the Library Hotel Collection, the Hotel Giraffe offers a cozy getaway in New York City’s NoMad location, an easy walk or ride to either midtown Manhattan or downtown.

Inspired by the architecture and design of the Art Modern period that has distinguished this vibrant NoMad neighborhood since the 1920s and 30s, Hotel Giraffe embodies the graceful elegance and the legendary kindness found in one of nature’s most beloved animals. This is evident by its friendly service, stylish decor, tasteful art, and special surprises, such as a copy of Lynn Sherr’s “Tall Blondes, A Book about Giraffes” in your room.

Image courtesy of Hotel Giraffe
For a romantic escape at the Hotel Giraffe / Image courtesy of Hotel Giraffe

A wine and cheese reception is held every evening in the elegant library, and refreshments are offered 24 hours a day.

With its great Manhattan location, impeccable service, and unique special touches, the Hotel Giraffe is a great option for a memorable and romantic fall getaway.

CitizenM Times Square

CitizenM New York City
The lobby of CitizenM New York City / Melody Moser

If you prefer funky to traditional, e-books to library volumes, an active bar to a piano bar, CitizenM is for you.  Located at Times Square in the heart of the city, the hotel’s concept is to “provide everything you need for a great night’s sleep, and an even better night’s entertainment.”

Cuddle up on a couch in the cozy lobby, where books, magazines, and a whimsical mix of quirky items have found a home on the walls, tables, and floors.

Gadget to set the mood at Citizen M / Melody Moser
Set the mood at Citizen M / Melody Moser

Ready for romance, relaxation, or slumber?  The rooms have gadgets that allow you to adjust the lights to your mood.  They’ve also got “anti-jet lag” rain showers and soundproof walls, so don’t worry about the New York City traffic keeping you awake.

In the lobby, you’ll find the hotel’s vibrant 24-hour bar.  With its funky, upbeat atmosphere, it’s popular with the locals.  The scent of barista-made coffee greets you in the morning as do freshly baked croissants, muffins and pastries, hot frittatas, and fresh juice.

CitizenM also has a hotel in New York Bowery now. I haven’t stayed there yet, but I hope to soon.


Georgia

With milder temperatures and changing leaves, Georgia is a great choice for a romantic fall getaway.

Barnsley Resort | Adairsville

The Barnsley Resort Ruins and Gardens. Image courtesy of the Barnsley Resort.
The Barnsley Resort Ruins and Gardens / Image courtesy of the Barnsley Resort

Built in the 1840s by Godfrey Barnsley for the love of his life, Julia, the Barnsley Resort, a romantic southern manor in the foothills of Georgeia’s Blue Ridge Mountains offers all the delights of a fine southern estate.

Today, the 3,000-acre resort serves as the ultimate retreat to unplug, find balance, and reconnect both with your loved one as well as with Mother Nature.

Couples have their pick of outdoor activities, from horseback riding to clay shooting, and can reignite the fire (literally!) by cozying up around the firepits with their favorite drinks.

Here you’ll enjoy fine cuisine, golf, a sporting club, a relaxing spa, great horseback riding, and plenty of outside exploration, during one of nature’s most beautiful seasons.


Florida

The summer crowds are gone, the winter crowds haven’t arrived yet.  Florida is the perfect fall destination if you want to enjoy summer’s warmth for just a bit longer.

The Hotel Julia | Miami Beach

The Hotel Julia for SMS Lodging. Designer Stephen Busto / Image courtesy of the Hotel Ju
The Hotel Julia for SMS Lodging. Designer Stephen Busto / Image courtesy of the Hotel Julia

Couples looking to rekindle their romance with quality time together this fall will love escaping to The Julia, a new, 29-room adults-only hotel in the quiet, residential South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach.

With warm weather lasting long throughout the fall, couples can easily enjoy romantic walks on the beach, as well as to nearby parks and upscale restaurants, all just steps outside the property’s doorstep.

The hotel just opened its doors this August and was both named and inspired in design after Miami’s heralded founder, Julia Tuttle.  The lobby was designed to reflect what Julia’s own living room would have looked like in the 1930s…with stylishly mismatching decor, and five rooms that are two stories tall and have nine-foot-tall paper butterfly installations dangling from the ceiling!

Image copyright The Julia hotel
Image copyright The Julia Hotel

Exclusive to guests ages 18 years or older, the hotel provides a cozy ambiance that’s perfect for snuggling up with your significant other.

During a stay here you can enjoy a daily French-continental breakfast, complimentary happy hour, and beach chairs reserved on South Beach, all included in the nightly rate.  So whether you want to enjoy each other’s company over some banana bread, Spanish wine, or under Florida’s sunny rays, the Julia’s got you covered.

It’s a nice fall getaway for couples who want to recharge their bodies, renew their spirits, and reconnect with one another.

The Marriott Stanton South Beach | Miami Beach

The Stanton SouthBeach / Copyright: Jeff Herron Photography, Inc.
The Marriott Stanton South Beach, Miami Beach, FL / Copyright: Jeff Herron Photography, Inc.

Located on Ocean Drive in the middle of one of the world’s most stylish cities, the Marriott Stanton South Beach is one of the only beachfront properties on Ocean Drive with direct beach access.

Tucked away from the crowds in the exclusive South of Fifth neighborhood in Miami Beach, this unique 224-room renovated hotel has a laid-back beach club chic vibe perfect for an intimate Miami getaway.

With its two-story lobby and Art Deco-inspired decor, you’ll enjoy a romantic stay here whether you want to relax by the outdoor pool, pamper yourself at the spa, or venture out and explore Miami’s many attractions.

With its oceanfront views, The Stanton is a beautiful place to take a step down the aisle, and Miami is an easy location for destination wedding guests to reach.

The hotel offers a Couples Getaway package which includes the choice of city view or ocean view accommodations, breakfast in bed through room service, and champagne and strawberries for honeymooners to toast off to a great weekend.  

Sandpearl Resort | Clearwater Beach

Sunset at the Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida / Image courtesy of Sandpearl Resort
Sunset at the Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida / Image courtesy of Sandpearl Resort

What’s more magical than watching a vibrant Gulf of Mexico sunset by the fire on the powder-soft beach? A stay at the charming Sandpearl Resort offers that and so much more.

With a pristine white sand beach which sets the mood for a romantic stroll, a lagoon pool, and beach firepits ideal for making s’mores, couples are guaranteed a memorable and romantic fall getaway.

Especially romantic is the two-story Gulf Side Suite, which is detached from the hotel and sits right on the beach, allowing perfect sunset views.

Meals or cocktails with a view are offered at the hotel’s oceanfront restaurants, or you can take a specially crafted picnic basket on an outing to nearby romantic spots like Caladesi or Honeymoon Island.

Then, when you’re ready for ultimate bliss, indulge in ocean-inspired treatments at the hotel’s award-winning spa.


Washington

On the other side of the country, you’ll find sweeping mountain views and pristine wilderness. A perfect escape for nature lovers.

Suncadia Resort | Cle Elum

Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum, Washington / Image courtesy of Suncadia Resort
Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum, Washington / Image courtesy of Suncadia Resort

If you love sun-dappled meadows and forested mountain views, a fall stay at Suncadia Resort, tucked away in the storybook town of Cle Elum, is a perfect getaway for couples who need to escape city life and go off the grid.

Located just 80 miles east of Seattle, this intimate, elegant 18-room lodge set against a backdrop of the lush, Cascade Mountains, offers a tranquil place for you and your loved one to escape the frenzy of daily life.

Whether you want to indulge with a Twin Peaks couples massage at the world-class Glade Spring Spa, take a dip in the hot mineral baths, or get outdoors and explore the 40 miles of hiking trails, there are plenty of things to do – or not do – if you so desire, during a stay here.

Start the morning with your cup of coffee and take a walk in the crisp mountain air, the trees blazing a riot of red, gold, and brown in the valley below.

Take scooter rides to the neighboring historic towns and enjoy a private tasting at Suncadia’s onsite winery, Swiftwater Cellars. Or enjoy 18 holes on the golden tree-lined course.

And when you need an excuse to snuggle, cozy up to one of the many fireplaces with 360 views of the Cascade Mountains and a fresh cup of hot cocoa always within reach.

About Melody Moser

Melody is a Travel Writer and Blogger. She loves exploring the world and helping others plan their journeys near and far.