Fall in Love With Winter at These 5 Luxurious Getaways

By Jamie Edwards, award-winning travel writer who’s visited 70+ countries on all 7 continents

I love winter. Hmmmm, let me clarify. I love winter when I’m sitting by a roaring fire, hot toddy in hand, watching snowflakes float through the air outside my window. I love winter activities, but only when the temperatures hover above 32 degrees and I’m dressed properly. I love hearty winter food—like braised short ribs and chicken pot pie—paired with big, bold cabernets.

Yes, I’m pretty particular about winter. So it’s no surprise I choose my winter getaways with care. I look for the right balance of activities and relaxation, a stellar culinary program, and always, spectacular scenery. Someplace I can gaze out the windows for hours, cuddled up in my pjs with the latest Stephen King thriller.

There are certain places that transform the cold season into something extraordinary. Hotels and resorts that celebrate coziness with crackling fires, uber-personal touches, and dinners that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

From Tennessee to Vermont, New Jersey to Colorado, here are five luxurious winter escapes where you are bound to fall in love with winter.

Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee

Tucked away in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and less than an hour from Knoxville, Tennessee, Blackberry Farm is the definition of cozy, rustic elegance. A Relais & Châteaux property surrounded by rolling hills, it’s equal parts countryside sanctuary and culinary pilgrimage.

While the food alone is worth the trip, there are countless reasons to visit Blackberry Farm. The property’s “Foothills Cuisine” celebrates the land—local trout, heirloom vegetables, and house-made cheeses, all paired with one of the most impressive wine cellars around. In case you have any doubts about Blackberry Farm, it was just named one of the best hotels in the world by Condé Nast.

Blackberry Farm offers all types of accommodations, from houses and cottages with stone fireplaces and Smoky Mountain views to spacious estate rooms and suites. All have decadent amenities, such as Frette linens and hot-tub jacuzzis, that will make leaving the room that much harder, especially on a frosty day.

An all-season destination, Blackberry Farm thrives in the winter. The farm is a year-round endeavor too, with winter harvests including pea tendrils, edible flowers, and microgreens that will likely grace your plates each day.

Indoor and outdoor activities offer something for everyone, from leisurely spa treatments with locally grown botanicals to pilates, yoga, wine and whiskey tastings, and cooking demonstrations. Hiking and on-property walks will help you work off those farm-to-table calories. But as we all know, vacation calories never count!

Whether you come for the food, the scenery, or the inherently slow pace, Blackberry Farm is the kind of place where winter is savored—by the fire, with a book, or a glass of wine. And when the Smoky Mountains are dusted with frost, it’s pure winter magic.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado

The St. Regis oozes alpine elegance. This five-star sanctuary, located at the base of Aspen Mountain, exudes warmth in every detail. Here, flickering fireplaces, gleaming wood finishes, and mountain views make winter feel downright indulgent.

Rooms and suites blend a warm residential feel with modern sophistication, with plush bedding, oversized soaking tubs, and uninterrupted views of Aspen’s dramatic peaks. The Presidential Suite and Loft Suites feature spacious living areas perfect for curling up with a hot chocolate after a day on the slopes. The standard guest rooms feel anything but standard, with marble bathrooms and personalized butler service.

Aspen is spoiled for good dining, but The Velvet Buck at The St. Regis stands apart for its elevated interpretation of Rocky Mountain cuisine. Elk tenderloin, black truffle risotto, and a thoughtful wine list set the tone for the evening. After a day of activity (a sports massage counts!) head straight to the daily Champagne sabering ritual, a signature St. Regis celebratory flourish.

Skiers will be thrilled to walk outside and find themselves just steps from Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola. Not a skier? No problem. Try snowshoeing through pine forests, ice skating in town, or simply soaking in the hotel’s Remède Spa, where the oxygen lounge and hydrotherapy pools are an après-ski must-do. The hotel can also arrange private snowcat skiing, sleigh rides, and private mountain adventures.

The St. Regis Aspen transforms winter into something beautiful and cinematic—whether you’re wrapped in a plush St. Regis robe beside the fire, out on the gondola, or watching the snow fall with a cocktail in hand. Alpine elegance at its finest.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont

The Lodge at Spruce Peak is a picture-perfect winter postcard. Located at the base of Mt. Mansfield, this alpine resort embodies classic New England charm, rustic warmth, and just the right amount of modern polish. It’s a substantial property, but don’t worry, its design and mountain setting give it an intimate, lodge-like feel. More cozy hideaway than sprawling resort.

Accommodations range from refined guest rooms and suites to slope-side residences and luxury penthouses, all designed with a lodge-inspired aesthetic. Warm wood tones, soft wool throws, stone accents, and fireplaces create an inviting winter cocoon you may be reluctant to leave. Many rooms feature private balconies overlooking the mountains, while larger residences offer full kitchens, dining spaces, and living rooms. Can you think of a better way to start the day than with coffee and snow-covered views from your balcony? I can’t.

Spruce Peak has multiple dining options. The Whistle Pig Pavilion is a highlight: fireside tables, locally sourced Vermont ingredients, and whiskey cocktails infused with maple. The Tipsy Trout serves fresh, locally inspired seafood and craft cocktails with stunning views of Mount Mansfield, while Alpine Hall offers elevated farm-to-table comfort food in a warm, timber-clad space. For something more laid-back, head over to the Mansfield Terrace for après-ski bites and fireside drinks.

With ski-in/ski-out access to Stowe Mountain Resort, the slopes are at your doorstep. For those who prefer a slower pace, there’s snowshoeing through the serene trails of Smugglers’ Notch, sleigh rides, or scenic gondola rides over snowy peaks. The Spruce Peak Ice Rink sets the stage for evening pirouetting under string lights, while the heated outdoor pool and spa provide a luxurious escape.

In Stowe, carve fresh powder, warm up by the firepits, snowshoe through Smugglers’ Notch, or simply watch the snow fall from dark skies. The Lodge at Spruce Peak wraps you in winter warmth. A big resort that feels small in all the right ways.

The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado

Aspen’s crown jewel, The Little Nell, is where ski culture and Michelin-level dining collide. This iconic five-star, five-diamond property is glamorous (this is Aspen!), but never cold or distant. The staff seem to immediately know your name, your preferred drink, and the way you like your eggs each morning. There’s a quiet intimacy here that makes it feel less like a hotel and more like a home—albeit a spectacularly stylish one.

Rooms at The Little Nell are designed with alpine luxury first and foremost. Suites feature gas fireplaces, rich, cozy textures, heated marble floors, deep soaking tubs, and sweeping views of Aspen Mountain. The Residences at The Little Nell have larger living spaces with gourmet kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and private terraces. Every detail, from the designer linens to the stocked minibar and nightly turndown, is quietly indulgent.

Dining is a true cornerstone of The Little Nell experience. Element 47, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves locally sourced cuisine, including Colorado lamb, Wagyu beef, house-made pastas, and seasonal vegetables. The wine cellar, home to more than 20,000 bottles, is world-famous and curated by a team of sommeliers. For something more relaxed, Ajax Tavern, steps from the gondola, offers elevated comfort food (the truffle fries are legendary) and prime people-watching from its sunny terrace.

At Little Nell, guests have direct ski-in/ski-out access, with a private ski concierge to handle everything from boot warmers to lift passes. Now that’s taking luxury to the next level! More adventurous guests can opt for private snowcat skiing on untouched powder or winter fly-fishing trips. Back at the hotel, sommelier-led wine tastings, spa treatments, and sunset views over the slopes complete the ethereal après-ski vibe.

Sip champagne by the fire, step onto the gondola, or indulge in a multi-course tasting menu. The Little Nell captures everything that makes Aspen extraordinary.

Pendry Natirar, Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey

The Pendry’s latest property is set in the rolling hills of New Jersey’s Somerset County and has quickly become one of the East Coast’s most talked-about luxury retreats. On a sweeping 90-acre estate, this countryside escape is housed within the historic Natirar Mansion, a 1912 estate reimagined with Pendry’s signature blend of classic sophistication and modern design. It’s classic but welcoming, a place where quiet luxury and snow-dusted hills create a winter escape. All this and more—under an hour’s drive from New York City.

Accommodations strike a divine balance between manor-house charm and cozy, modern comfort. Guest rooms and suites feature soft neutral palettes, wood accents, and plush textiles, with many offering fireplaces, soaking tubs, and oversized windows framing the rolling hills.

Acclaimed chefs helm the on-site restaurant at Natirar, which celebrates hyper-seasonal, farm-sourced cuisine, much of it grown in Natirar’s gardens. Winter menus might highlight roasted root vegetables with warm spices, artisan cheeses, and curated wine pairings. The on-site cooking school adds an interactive twist, letting guests learn the secrets behind the dishes they love.

In the winter, guests can stroll or snowshoe along scenic countryside trails, unwind at the spa and wellness center, or join seasonal floral workshops. Holiday touches make it even more enchanting: boozy afternoon teas served fireside, winter floral arranging, and a sweet letter-writing station for Santa will enchant visiting grandchildren and grown-ups alike.

Take your pick: mulled wine by the fire, a frosty morning walk through the gardens, or perfecting a new recipe in the cooking school. Cozy, elegant, and deeply culinary, Pendry Natirar is a country estate designed for winter.

Fall in Love With Winter

I’m pretty particular about winter. I love it, but on my terms. Give me a hotel with a roaring fire, Frette linens, and a flurry of snowflakes, and I’ll happily declare winter my favorite season.

Whether it’s the rolling hills of Tennessee, the frosted peaks of Aspen, the postcard charm of Vermont, or the stately countryside of rural New Jersey, each of these escapes has that same unmistakable feeling: the moment you arrive, winter stops being something to endure. It becomes something to savor.

So yes, I love winter. Not every version of it, but this one, for sure. The cozy one. The scenic one. The one filled with fireplaces, great food, and luxurious details. The kind of winter that makes me want to pour another glass of wine, throw one more log on the fire, and linger just a little longer.

Where will you fall in love with winter? It’s time to start planning your next escape.

Jamie Edwards is an avid traveler, travel writer, and photographer. After 25 years of living and traveling around the globe, she launched I am Lost and Found, her adventure/luxury travel website. Jamie’s goal is simple: to inspire travel.

CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY with offices in Kennebunkport, ME, Washington DC, Boston, MA, Miami, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Toronto, ON, Bogota, Colombia, Madrid, Spain, London, UK, Mexico City, Mexico, and Vancouver, BC.  Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.