And you don’t have to spend a small fortune or travel far from home to rediscover romance with the one you love.
Romance
Two Ohio resorts are perfectly suited to host royalty and come complete with castles — Landoll's Mohican Castle and Ravenwood Castle.
Located in Loudonville, 90 minutes northeast of Columbus, Landoll’s Mohican Castle is an 1,100-acre wooded estate where privacy and tranquility blend with romance and luxury.
Suites are luxuriously appointed with hand-carved beds, tapestries and chandeliers. While each suite and cottage is unique, all of them have hardwood floors, gas fireplaces, Jacuzzi bathtubs and heated tile bathroom floors. Some have private balconies, gas fireplaces, even turrets and spiral staircases just as any castle would.
The resort has an indoor pool and hot tub as well as a restaurant. Sleigh rides and carriage rides can be arranged seasonally.
Mohican country is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking and golf nearby. Or you can venture into the quaint Amish shops and restaurants nearby. For information, visit http://landollsmohicancastle.com or call (800) 291-5001.
Romance is also abundant at Ravenwood Castle in the Hocking Hills region. There are castle guest rooms as well as Medieval cottages and fairytale cabins scattered around the wooded grounds.
The fairytale can continue into the honeymoon in the King Arthur Suite with a grand king-sized bed, Jacuzzi for two and a second-floor sitting room. Or relax in the Silversmith’s House with its heart-shaped whirlpool tub.
Enjoy fine dining in the Great Hall or take an afternoon break at the Tea Room.
The natural splendor of Hocking Hills State Park is 10 minutes away. Peaceful waterfalls, awe-inspiring caves and miles of hiking trails await visitors to the park — the perfect place for a walk hand-in-hand with your new spouse.
For information, visit www.ravenwoodcastle.com.
History
Modern luxury meets grand southern tradition at Kentucky's oldest family-operated bed and breakfast — the Beaumont Inn.
In the heart of the Bluegrass Region, the historic inn, which first opened its doors to guests in 1919, has 31 guestrooms and suites and a luxurious spa.
Grab a drink at the quaint Old Owl Tavern, schedule a wine tasting with the innkeeper, relax by the pool or taste your way through the nearby Bourbon Trail. Historic downtown Harrodsburg is just minutes away as is horseback riding, hiking and shopping.
According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, 95 percent of all bourbon is produced in Kentucky. Several bourbon distilleries are near the Beaumont Inn offering tours and tastings including Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey Distillery and Maker’s Mark, the only operating distillery in America to be a designated National Historic Landmark.
Settle in to one of the antique-filled platinum suites in the Greystone House complete with king-sized beds, two-person whirlpool bathtubs and cozy electric fireplaces.
With 48-hours notice, the innkeeper will have chocolate covered strawberries ($24 a dozen) a floral bouquet ($25) and a bottle of champagne ($28) waiting for you. All accommodations include a full Southern breakfast in the dining room. For information, visit www.beaumontinn.com.
Luxury
From Five-Star dining to a luxurious spa and accommodations that range from a boutique hotel to a chateau inspired by the Ritz Paris, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort brings together all of the finest things.
Tucked into the Laurel Highlands of Southern Pennsylvania, Nemacolin Woodlands offers six lodging options, three fine-dining restaurants and a premier spa on its 2,000 wooded acres.
Resting in comfort and style is a given at Nemacolin. Chateau Lafayette has 124 elegant rooms, a Tea Room, Cigar Bar and pieces from the $45 million dollar Hardy Family Art Collection on display. A tribute to the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, boutique hotel Falling Rock is the recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award 2012. Butler service is available at Falling Rock and on the Club Level of the Chateau. Your butler can even draw you a bath, complete with rose petals and champagne.
Lautrec is one of only 20 restaurants in the world to hold both the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards simultaneously. From the wood-fire roasted venison and Chilean sea bass to the salted caramel cheesecake, the menu, which changes seasonally, is packed with delicious decadence. Arrange for a chef’s table experience and couples can watch part of the preparation and interact with the chef.
A day at the spa can be together time as well with couples massages and facials or, better yet, have a Guided Massage experience where couples learn the art of massage from one of the spa’s experienced therapists. Learn basic massage strokes and take that knowledge home with you to practice long after the honeymoon is over.
The resort also sports golf, skiing, tennis, horseback riding and dog sledding just to name a few. For information, visit www.nemacolin.com.
Serenity
If alone time is what you seek, simple serenity is easy to find at two Ohio destinations, Murphin Ridge Inn and the Inn at Honey Run.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Adams County on the edge of the Appalachian foothills is Murphin Ridge Inn. The 142-acre haven with 10 inn rooms and nine custom-built cabins is a perfect place to get away from it all. Enjoy the scenic winding hiking trails, the outdoor pool and tennis courts. Gather around the fire pit and take in the expansive view from the county’s highest point.
A unique feature of the romantic, well-appointed cabins is the double-sided fireplace, which guests can enjoy whether cuddling in bed or soaking in the bathtub. The cabin porches, complete with rocking chairs, invite guests to kick back, enjoy the scenery and each other’s company.
Enjoy dinner at the Inn or order a box lunch to enjoy in your cabin after a peaceful hike. Guests can go fishing, boating or hiking at nearby Adams Lake Park or browse through local shops. For more information, visit www.murphinridgeinn.com.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country in Holmes County, the Inn at Honey Run has accommodations ranging from suites in their contemporary lodge to modern luxury cottages and the unique honeycombs.
The earth-sheltered club level honeycomb rooms are built right into the hillside offering expansive views of the countryside and include floor-to-ceiling sandstone fireplaces, secluded rock-curved patios or balconies, plush robes and Keurig coffee makers.
The Tarragon restaurant staff focuses on fresh, local ingredients and attention to detail in all of their dishes. Inspired by old world recipes, executive chef Scott Fetty works to maintain the integrity of recipes reflective of the local culture and passed down through generations.
Guests enjoy the hiking trails and bird watching year-round but if the peaceful setting is not enough to help you unwind, the Serenity Spa package ($329) includes a welcome platter, bottle of wine, $100 dining credit and a couples massage.
Unique shops and quaint restaurants await visitors to the Ohio Amish Country if you venture a few minutes away from the Inn. For information, visit www.innathoneyrun.com.
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