Winter is coming. While everyone relishes the nostalgia of school snow days from their youth, nowadays the idea of being stuck inside while you’re on vacation may cue fears of being trapped by snow drifts and the onslaught of Cabin Fever. Cue the toasty fireplaces, old-fashioned wing chairs and piles of books you’ve been meaning to read. Instead of fearing being stuck inside, embrace the white squalls and get snug with your loved ones by going full-on bear hibernation mode inside these cozy hotels to cuddle up to this winter.
The Greenwich Hotel
New York, New York
Photo courtesy of the Hotel.
A visit to New York City doesn’t mean you can’t stay in and indulge in a little relaxation–the Greenwich Hotel offers such a retreat right in the middle of TriBeCa. This 88 room boutique hotel feels more like a beloved home; a range of touchable fabrics, reclaimed wood, Moroccan tiles and Tibetan silk rugs make for a luxurious experience akin to visiting with your very rich great-Aunt who was a former silent movie starlet. Each room is completely unique and littered with covetable knick-knacks and a cozy mix of antique and modern furniture. They also have a Japanese-style spa onsite that uses mostly plant-based and organic products and guests receive rights to priority reservations for Greenwich hotel guests at star Chef Andrew Carmellini’s restaurant Locanda Verde.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: The specialty Duxiana beds come all the way from Sweden and corner suites have working fireplaces and deep soaking tubs made for languid afternoons.
The Sonnenalp
Vail, Colorado
Fall glory makes way for winter cozy. Photos courtesy of the hotel.
You haven’t left the country but the Alpine-styled Sonnenalp might give you the impression you have. Just steps away from the gondolas of Vail’s ski resorts, you will have a hard time leaving this cozy hotel even for the lure of some of the best skiing in the country. Rooms are decorated in a distinctly Bavarian style with custom made furniture, wood accents, heated bathroom floors signaling warm toes and views of either Vail Village or Gore Creek. They have four restaurants and a bar onsite, as well as a spa complex with indoor and outdoor pools, a yoga studio and gym meaning there’s plenty you can still do while wandering around in your pajamas.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: A spacious room layout including a separate living area and gas-log fireplaces in the suites gives you plenty of room to stretch out.
Photos courtesy of the Sonnenalp.
The Lowell
New York, New York
A roaring fire and heaps of books make for the perfect Hygge. Photo taken from trivago.
Forget the throngs of tourists and live among the elite on the Upper East Side of New York with a stay at the Lowell hotel. The lobby welcomes visitors with dimmed lights and marble floors, while rooms are the picture of elegance with real wood details throughout, working fireplaces and plush fabrics. Hotel staff are trained to cater to every whim and demand, so if you need anything, whether it be a cupcake or some toothpaste, there is no reason for you to leave your room–just ring the staff presiding from the mahogany front desk! Madonna liked her room so much she stayed for nine months — you could be the next reigning King or Queen of cozy hotels at the Lowell.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: Bathrooms are decked out in marble, many with flat screen televisions at the foot of the bathrooms; so soaking through a couple of episodes of your favorite Netflix series is very much a possibility.
The White Barn Inn
Kennebunkport, Maine
Photos courtesy of the White Barn Inn.
The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine might pretend to be a summer destination, but come winter there is a wonderful stillness in the cold, salty air that makes you want to curl up on one of the Inn’s sleigh beds with a thrilling book. Whether you stay in the main house or one of the riverfront cottages, the White Barn Inn oozes that cozy storybook winter appeal. All rooms welcome visitors with fresh flowers and heaps of fruit, Molton Brown toiletries deserving of long showers or steamy baths. If you’re hungry, there’s the option of room service in case the snow keeps you away from the restaurant in the namesake white barn. The barn and its beautiful wide plank floors and exposed beams dates back to the 1820’s and now houses a renowned restaurant.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: We recommend a stay at the Loon Cottage with its wood-burning fireplace, a down-topped bed and a big picture window so you can watch the snowfall.
The Topnotch Resort & Spa
Stowe, Vermont
Photos courtesy of the Topnotch Resort.
The Topnotch Resort is the ultimate resort in the woods, surrounded by 120 acres of woodland. You’re a short drive (4.5 miles) from the ski slopes of Spruce Peak but the resort itself has enough going on to keep you lingering inside. The decoration is best described as a modern cozy cottage with a minimalist design yet it doesn’t lacking in warmth from cheery carpets, wood beams and airy windows for fabulous views of the great outdoors. If you get bored sitting in your room, head to the indoor pool, get a tennis lesson (available year-round) or eat at either of the two restaurants, Flannel and The Roost which both heavily feature locally sourced menu items. Alternatively, brave the cold and roast marshmallows on any of the outdoor fire pits.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: Need room to spread out or accommodate several people? Toptnotch Resort has multi-room vacation homes available with full kitchenettes.
The Mirror Lake Inn Resort
Lake Placid, New York
Photos courtesy of The Mirror Lake Inn Resort
The cozy charm of Mirror Lake Inn Resort remains a relic of its past; once a private home in the Adirondack Mountains, no expenses were spared in circa 1883 building and historic maintenance of this property. Deep mahogany walls meet vaulted high ceilings, fireplaces walnut floors and balconies with views of Mirror Lake are fit for royalty. Winter is the perfect time to visit and if you give way to cabin fever, just strap on a pair of complimentary snowshoes and walk into town, the nearby Lake Placid’s Winter Olympic village or up Whiteface Mountain.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: Don’t miss a swim in the indoor pool with sweeping panoramas of the surrounding landscape or book a massage (highly recommended) at the onsite spa.
Blantyre
Lenox, Massachusetts
Four-poster beds and a romantic vibe. Photo taken from trivago.
If your idea of cozy is a gilded, ivy-clad a small chateau, Blantyre will be your dream abode. The property is located on 220 acres of countryside with ideal conditions for cross country skiing, snow-shoeing and skating. The real magic happens inside the ornate rooms filled with sumptuous fabrics draping four poster beds and chandeliers, sitting rooms and fireplaces. With such richness in the interior design, a film and book library permits you to lounge inside for the majority of the day. If your legs are falling asleep, re-locate to the Warming Hut to play pool or socialize with other guests.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: There’s an entire menu dedicated to hot chocolate variations and you can indulge in a cheese fondue any time and any place on the grounds.
Winvian Farm
Morris, Connecticut
Rustic, bespoke wood furnishing add cozy appeal. Photo courtesy of the hotel.
Surrounded by 113 acres of lush Connecticut countryside, Winvian Farm features 19 individually decorated cottages unified by a certain rustic elegance. Climb up to the tree house, 35 feet above the forest or spend the night in the Stable or the Beaver Lodge while the skies deliver a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Wake up to all the modern amenities you need to stay in all day long, including Bose surround sound systems for slow dancing, Nespresso coffee makers, WiFi and Jacuzzi tubs.
Love the idea of having your own private in room jacuzzi? See our list of the best hotels with jacuzzi in room and make it a reality!
Winvian Farm also offers onsite activities such as cooking classes, board games, horseback riding and snowshoeing in case you get antsy. The Restaurant at Winvian Farm tempts you even further to never leave the property with a concept centered around farm-to-table dining and seasonal ingredients grown right on the property.
The Hygge Hotels Factor: Each cottage also has a working fireplace–perfect for drying wet socks and toasting toes post snow adventures. Morris, CT sees an average of 60 inches of snow every year.
Which hotel tickles your fancy for a winter hideaway?