A beach walker heads west towards the sunset in Orange Beach, Ala.GLIMPSE OF THE FUTUREFor more tips that will help you find the best things to do in the Chattanooga region, pick up a copy of Glimpse, a travel guide that will be inserted into your newspaper on Aug. 30. Glimpse covers the hottest activities and best-kept secrets in nearly 100 cities across Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and will be accessible online from TimesFreePress.com.
Whether it's a secluded hideaway in the mountains of North Carolina, a five-star hotel in Tennessee, a luxurious inn in Georgia or a bed and breakfast on a sandy beach in Alabama, there are beautiful and romantic getaways within easy driving distances from Chattanooga.
Though the nightlife of a big city may be the ideal getaway for some couples, others may prefer a secluded setting surrounded by Mother Nature or the quaintness of a bed, breakfast and sand. These destinations work whether it's a honeymoon, a quick getaway or just a bit of alone time.
Hermitage Hotel: A Tennessee destination
Tennessee's only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond hotel.
What: The Hermitage Hotel.
Where: 231 Sixth Ave., Nashville.
Amenities: Spacious and luxurious marble bathrooms with flatscreen TV, double vanities, deep-soaking tub, a separate shower and enclosed water closet, bath gels and soaps, plush towels and robes; king-sized bed with linens and duvets; large flatscreen TV; three two-line phones; DVD/CD and iPod players; complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet connections; full housekeeping service twice daily; a nightly-turn-down service and complimentary newspapers.
Rates: Varies according to date and room type.
Pets: The pet-friendly hotel charges a $50 pet fee that includes a custom bed in the room, treats and a nightly-turn-down service. Dog-sitting, walking and massage services are available. There is an in-room dining menu specifically for pets.
What to expect: The Hermitage Hotel first opened in downtown Nashville in 1910. Since then, the hotel has undergone many renovations which has resulted in it having 122 rooms and suites today. The average size of a guest room is 500 to 600 square feet.
The hotel's "Romance Package" is for couples who want to dedicate themselves to each other while the staff takes care of everything else. The package includes breakfast for two in The Capitol Grille or through 24-hour room service, complimentary valet parking, champagne and truffles, rose-petal turn-down service and late check out at 2 p.m.
The hotel spa offers massages, wraps and scrub treatments, reflexology, stone massages and aromatherapy. A fitness center is open 24 hours a day. There's also valet parking, limousine service, shoeshine service, laundry and dry-cleaning services and a gift store.
Contact: thehermitagehotel.com, 615-244-3121, 888-888-9414
Source: thehermitagehotel.com
North Carolina Treehouse
Enjoy the sounds of White Oak Creek.
What: The Treehouse.
Where: Cherokee Mountain Cabins, 61 Bear Creek Road, Nantahala, N.C.
Amenities: One bedroom, king-sized bed, one bath with tub/shower (with robes, shampoo/conditioner/bath soap); wraparound deck, wood-burning stove, outdoor hot tub, Jacuzzi hot tub in bedroom, central heat and air, Wi-Fi, stone fireplace with gas logs, large flatscreen TV with premium channels and DVD player, pool table, fully equipped kitchen including linens, washer/dryer with detergent, barbecue grill.
Rates: Peak season (May 26-Sept. 10) -- $273 a night Sunday-Thursday, $306 a night Friday-Saturday. Off season (Sept. 11-May 25, excluding October) -- $185 a night Sunday-Thursday, $224 a night Friday-Saturday. Charges for October are $306 a night from Sunday-Thursday and $334 a night Friday-Saturday. Rent seven consecutive nights and receive the lowest-priced night for free.
Pets: No.
What to expect: The Treehouse is a one-bedroom mountain cabin on White Oak Creek. Guests can relax in the outdoor hot tub on the deck or the Jacuzzi in the bedroom. Enjoy the sounds of the creek rushing by. The covered porch/deck also features a stone, wood-burning fireplace and stereo sound system.
Contact: 866-772-2246, cherokeemountaincabins.com
Source: cherokeemountaincabins.com
Celestial stay in Georgia
Two-person jetted tub features a waterfall spout from the ceiling.
What: The Celestial Suite at The Overlook Inn.
Where: The Overlook Inn & Wilderness View Cabins, Chatsworth, Ga.
Amenities: The suite includes a flatscreen TV, DVD and satellite, large peninsula fireplace, king-sized bed, leather love seat in sitting area, two-person jetted tub that features a waterfall spout from the ceiling. The private bath features an extra-large tiled shower with overhead rainforest shower head and full body sprayers. The suite has a private outdoor entrance.
All guests enjoy a gourmet breakfast, tea/coffee/biscotti at 3 p.m., wine and cheese samplings on weekend evenings, candlelight dessert every Saturday night, views from "The Council Room" and strolls through native plant gardens. The Overlook Inn is located next to Fort Mountain State Park where visitors can rent boats and canoes and fish and hike.
Rates: $239 Friday-Saturday; $209 Sunday-Thursday.
Pets: No.
What to expect: The following are a few of the optional add-on packages, at additional costs to room rates, that offer something for couples seeking a romantic adventure:
Wine and Cheese Sampler Platter Package includes a bottle of wine, a selection of farmstead cheese from Sweetwater Valley Farms, Elk salami, summer sausage from Le Gourmet Connections [both based in Tennessee] and gourmet crackers. Additional cost from room rates: $29.
Romance and Relax Package includes a red-glass heart on a ribbon, 60-hour aromatherapy candle, one pound of scented moisturizing spa salts for hot tub or jetted tub, rejuvenating aromatherapy massage oil, complimentary champagne and Sweet Du Jour. Additional cost from room rates: $69.
The Rose Petal Romance room will be decorated with rose petals and candles. Comes with a complimentary bottle of chilled champagne. Additional cost from room rates: $129.
Contact: www.theoverlookinn.com, 706-517-8810
Source: theoverlookinn.com
Natural wonder in Orange Beach
What: The Original Romar House Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Where: 23500 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, Ala.
Amenities: Each room is decorated with antique furnishings, private bathrooms, fine linens and down comforters, free wireless Internet, full breakfast, afternoon refreshments; Purple Parrot Bar includes liquors and wines, hot tub, concierge assistance for planning daily activities, beach surroundings and guest parlor.
Rates: $179 a night March 1-April 30; $229 a night May 1-Labor Day; $179 a night Labor Day-Nov. 15; $129 a night Nov. 16-Feb. 28.
Pets: No.
What to expect: Located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach, Ala., the Original Romar House offers a peaceful retreat, a romantic getaway or simply a chance to experience the natural beauty of a Gulf beach. After breakfast, take a morning swim in the pool or stroll along the beach, curl up in a cypress swing or hammock or relax in the hot tub. The Inn features Southern breakfasts, complimentary wine and cheese and early morning coffee on the deck overlooking the Gulf.
Contact: 251-974-1625, theoriginalromarhouse.com
Source: theoriginalromarhouse.com
Contact staff writer Karen Nazor Hill a khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.