Looking for new "feel good" destinations

[Old Hickory]

Fairwinds, beautiful resorts. I just reserved 2 nights at another grand inn, Omni's Grove Park Inn, based on a tip from another Tugger. I'll combine it with a couple days in Maggie to see my sister. My niece is planning to take us to a section of the Appalachian Trail between Maggie and TN. She's experienced with hiking in the area. On previous trips we've driven part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and climbed Waterrock Knob.

On the way to the Inn we can ride a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway to get to Grandfather Mt. and the mile high swinging bridge.

Make sure you get an original inn room at the Grove Park Inn. Otherwise, you're just in a hotel.

I've hiked separate sections of the AT (Georgia, Tennessee, NC, and Virginia) and will tell you that it's not all scenic and almost never fun. Around the area you plan to be, I would suggest Roan Highlands and Grayson Highlands . Both are balds (or knobs) which are open meadows atop mountains where you'll experience amazing vistas with wildflowers, mountain laurel, blackberry, and wildlife (wild horses). Otherwise, you're just hiking in the forest among trees, trees, and more trees.

The mountain azaleas and laurel peak bloom in early June. Which might be a week later due to the cold temperatures this spring.

Enjoy!

 

[Ewiike]

We've covered Williamsburg and NYC although I'd like to visit the farms on the east end of Long Island. We own at the Manor Club in Williamsburg.

I had to look up the Olympic Peninsula. You mean in Washington? That looks really nice. I didn't find a Marriott brand hotel on the list but I found a Holiday Inn Express that looks good. We are part of that loyalty program too and I'm confident I can come up with points to burn. Just got the IHG credit card this year. It's a good one with an annual free night for a low annual fee.

Edited to say I did find 2 Marriott's across the Strait on Vancouver Island. We've been to one of them but it's back on the list of hopes for the kids when they get back to the States.

Yes , Washington state. I would love to spend a few days in the mountains!I don't mind to sleep in the car or tent.
They have beautiful vineries on Long Island , worth of a visit!

 

[Quilter]

Make sure you get an original inn room at the Grove Park Inn. Otherwise, you're just in a hotel.

I've hiked separate sections of the AT (Georgia, Tennessee, NC, and Virginia) and will tell you that it's not all scenic and almost never fun. Around the area you plan to be, I would suggest Roan Highlands and Grayson Highlands . Both are balds (or knobs) which are open meadows atop mountains where you'll experience amazing vistas with wildflowers, mountain laurel, blackberry, and wildlife (wild horses). Otherwise, you're just hiking in the forest among trees, trees, and more trees.

The mountain azaleas and laurel peak bloom in early June. Which might be a week later due to the cold temperatures this spring.

Enjoy!

Thank you. Very helpful.

We will be there June 17-21 so I'm hoping the blooms plenty at that time.

I have requested the 4th or 5th floor in the original section of the Inn.

 

[Quilter]

If others in the Virginia/North Carolina area are following this thread we are planning to visit Roan Highlands and/or Grayson Highlands on June 16th if anyone would like to join us.

 

[Password is taco]

Portland, Maine

They have a couple Marriott's including one called The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection. Not sure if that's eligible for your situation, but there are a couple others as well. I have stayed at the Courtyard there and it's very nice, recently updated.

Happy travels!

 

[Ewiike]

I have a 5 night travel certificate and don't know where to use it.

The only destination outside the US that I'm currently interested in is Wales and I'm working on that in a different thread.

Places like HHI, Desert Springs, Florida, Arizona are all covered by timeshare stays. With this I'm looking for a hotel in a place that has charm, activities like easy/moderate hiking and biking, beautiful scenery.

I've been to Bend, OR several times for the Sisters Quilt Show. The last stay was pretty perfect. We stayed in a new SpringHill Suites. Very nice hotel. Weather was good enough to float down the river on large tubes. We went kayaking in a lake in the mountains. The added benefit of the quilt show was like attending a famed art show. A garden show would also be something of interest. We've been to Williamsburg during Virginia Garden Week.

Got any ideas for me to research?

Just another idea: Great Lakes area?

 

[Fasttr]

Just another idea: Great Lakes area?

That would be a staycation I believe.

 

[Quilter]

Just another idea: Great Lakes area?

Marriott manages a beautiful property in Bay Harbor, MI. Many Chicagoans come to the western shore of MI for vacations and to visit their summer homes. We've been to the Inn at Bay Harbor https://www.innatbayharbor.com in both summer and fall using II exchange (very difficult) and MR travel certificates. Each unit is a whole ownership through Boyne. Boyne does a good job of renting out high demand weeks for the owners so they are rarely deposited into II. I did look for this summer and there was no availability. I thought of pushing it by calling the manager to see if he/she would open a spot for a reservation but it wasn't that urgent a desire to return. Hence, the beginning of this thread to find something new.

We love our Up North Michigan in the summer and fall. There are good options other than using Marriott. If you want grand we have the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island https://www.grandhotel.com or Hotel Iroquois https://www.iroquoishotel.com. If you love the charm of a motor court like in the days of my youth there is the sweetest, cleanest place in Mackinaw City within walking distance of The Bridge. Lamplighter Motel http://www.lamplightermotel.com

 

[Quilter]

We’re on our “Trail Tour”. First stop was Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Athens. Next stop the Fairfield Inn in Wytheville. Lovely dinner downtown at Graze on Main. Next we were going to stop at Grayson Highlands but someone at church this morning said there was a”bear alert”. Another’s woman told us Roan Highlands was having its annual rhododendron festival. So we switched plans and headed to Roan Mountain. Walked to a bald “knob”.

Now we’re settled in at the Grove Park Inn (thank you Marty). Yes, this is a new “feel good” destination!

 

[Pamplemousse]

We've covered Williamsburg and NYC although I'd like to visit the farms on the east end of Long Island. We own at the Manor Club in Williamsburg.

I had to look up the Olympic Peninsula. You mean in Washington? That looks really nice. I didn't find a Marriott brand hotel on the list but I found a Holiday Inn Express that looks good. We are part of that loyalty program too and I'm confident I can come up with points to burn. Just got the IHG credit card this year. It's a good one with an annual free night for a low annual fee.

Edited to say I did find 2 Marriott's across the Strait on Vancouver Island. We've been to one of them but it's back on the list of hopes for the kids when they get back to the States.

Maine- Mount Desert Island- Acadia National Park.
Beautiful hikes of all levels, biking, beach, lake, gardens
I don’t believe there is a Marriott- there are other chains plus independent hotels, inns, b&bs

 

[Quilter]

Make sure you get an original inn room at the Grove Park Inn. Otherwise, you're just in a hotel.

I've hiked separate sections of the AT (Georgia, Tennessee, NC, and Virginia) and will tell you that it's not all scenic and almost never fun. Around the area you plan to be, I would suggest Roan Highlands and Grayson Highlands . Both are balds (or knobs) which are open meadows atop mountains where you'll experience amazing vistas with wildflowers, mountain laurel, blackberry, and wildlife (wild horses). Otherwise, you're just hiking in the forest among trees, trees, and more trees.

The mountain azaleas and laurel peak bloom in early June. Which might be a week later due to the cold temperatures this spring.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the knob suggestion. It was beautiful.

 

[Old Hickory]

Thank you for the knob suggestion. It was beautiful.

I saw a photo of Roan Highlands and thought it was out of this world (literally) yet was only a few hundred miles from my home. So we took a long weekend to visit the area and hike the AT in both directions. We were there in mid-June, like you, and the sights/smells/sounds of the rhodies in full bloom were amazing.

For those wondering about my "sounds" remark, it was the low humming sound of bees busily at work. You didn't see them but you could hear them.

 

[skyequeen]

If you go to Long Island you want to go to the North Fork for the wineries. Unfortunately closest Marriott hotel is still Hauppauge I believe. Haven't been in area in years but at least 45 minutes away I think. People stay in the town of Greenport in B&B's, etc. You can combine with a trip to NYC then take the LI RR to Greenport where tours to the wineries are available. We plan to go in the next couple of years. October is the big time to go because of harvest time.

 

[Bolen]

With a Marriott right in town center, you can't miss with a visit to Newport, RI. Tremendous walk about town with perfect waterfront atmosphere blended with history, dozens of restaurants, dinner theater, casino, old churches and synagogues. The biggest draw of course are the well preserved over the top mansions of Vanderbilt's era. If you still have time, there's the Cliff Walk, the Ocean Drive, and some beaches to visit...Oh yeah the National Tennis Hall of Fame is here too if you're a fan... Five days won't get it all done...

 

[tugcccsp]

There is a brand new Springhill Suites in Springdale, Utah just outside the gates of Zion National Park.

It is the nicest Springhill Suites I have ever visited, and it is in a spectacular setting. Simply stunning.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sguzi-springhill-suites-springdale-zion-national-park/

Scenic hiking trails are plentiful, but expect crowds (depending on the time of year). For good reason, Zion National Park is the third most visited in the national park system with 4.5 million visitors annually.

The 1st part of November is a beautiful time to go to Zion.

 

[jwkinggaic]

Sedona AZ in spring and fall. Great scenery, biking, wonderful hiking and plenty of other things to do in the area. March is a busy month due to families on spring break. April and October ideal....Breckenridge CO in summer months. Quaint town, beautiful scenery plus good hiking.

 

[eppyvox]

I have a 5 night travel certificate and don't know where to use it.

The only destination outside the US that I'm currently interested in is Wales and I'm working on that in a different thread.

Places like HHI, Desert Springs, Florida, Arizona are all covered by timeshare stays. With this I'm looking for a hotel in a place that has charm, activities like easy/moderate hiking and biking, beautiful scenery.

I've been to Bend, OR several times for the Sisters Quilt Show. The last stay was pretty perfect. We stayed in a new SpringHill Suites. Very nice hotel. Weather was good enough to float down the river on large tubes. We went kayaking in a lake in the mountains. The added benefit of the quilt show was like attending a famed art show. A garden show would also be something of interest. We've been to Williamsburg during Virginia Garden Week.

Got any ideas for me to research?

Look into Zell am Zee, Austria. Sporthotel Theresa.

 

[eppyvox]

Look into Sporthotel Theresa in the Ziller Valley, Austria

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am with you on this one. I have a 5-night certificate I have to use with Marriott by the end of the year. I already saved it from last year. I have no idea where to go. I would love a drive-to location, and Rick mentioned the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and unfortunately for us, there are no Marriott hotels nearby. I was looking forward to that.

I have so many timeshares to use. I am unsure how to use this certificate. My kids would say, "Oh, what a problem to have, Mom."

So just now I looked at Carlsbad, NM, and there are Marriott hotels there, and that is something I have always wanted to do and is a drive-to location. Walking through a lot of the caves won't be all that easy for my hip.

 

[heathpack]

I am with you on this one. I have a 5-night certificate I have to use with Marriott by the end of the year. I already saved it from last year. I have no idea where to go. I would love a drive-to location, and Rick mentioned the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and unfortunately for us, there are no Marriott hotels nearby. I was looking forward to that.

I have so many timeshares to use. I am unsure how to use this certificate. My kids would say, "Oh, what a problem to have, Mom."

So just now I looked at Carlsbad, NM, and there are Marriott hotels there, and that is something I have always wanted to do and is a drive-to location. Walking through a lot of the caves won't be all that easy for my hip.

We are going to Zion in September and staying a few free nights in a Marriott there. Springdale, actually, just outside the park. A little bit of a far drive for y’all but I’m sure there’s great stuff to see along the way.

 

[Quilter]

You might want to consider Arches and Canyonland in Moab, Utah. We stayed at a new Springhill Suites a couple years ago and enjoyed the scenery and hiking. It would require a flight and relatively long drive to get there though. The other thing that I just researched is that Marriott increased the category to 8. It was a 5 when we stayed there two years ago. No doubt, it is a popular destination.

Best regards.

Mike

I’m going through this thread again to see what was suggested. We’re at the airport in Flagstaff waiting for flight home. Back in May I had no idea we’d be flying to DEN, going to Grand Junction, Moab, Arches, monument valley, Zion and Lake Powell. It’s been beautiful trip.

 

[mjm1]

I’m going through this thread again to see what was suggested. We’re at the airport in Flagstaff waiting for flight home. Back in May I had no idea we’d be flying to DEN, going to Grand Junction, Moab, Arches, monument valley and Lake Powell. It’s been beautiful trip.

Outstanding! Yes, that is a beautiful part of the country. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Safe travels home.

Mike

 

[Quilter]

Since beginning this thread I’ve made 3 impromptu trips. Wales with my DD, NC (Asheville/Maggie Valley area) with DH and the latest Denver to Flagstaff trip with DH, DD and SIL.

Next is a Thanksgiving trip to Palm Desert. DD and SIL will join us on that trip but we won’t be staying at same property. We have an II exchange to DSV2, they will be down the road at a Residence Inn. I’d like to introduce them to the area in case they want to return.

 

[silentg]

Safe trip home!