 |
18 romantic getaways in Texas and neighboring states
02:02 PM CDT on Friday, April 17, 2009
Exotic honeymoon choices looked good about a year ago. And then, as if brides-to-be didn't have enough to worry about, the economic crisis slammed into their wedding budgets.
Where to cut back? The dress? As if. The location? Already reserved. Rings? Bought. So, pricey honeymoons – they average $4,000 to $5,000 these days – are a prime place to take a second look.
As with any travel, the key is early planning and careful shopping. To help couples blend money-saving with memorable, we've assembled some special places to consider in Texas and neighboring states. Some we've visited; others were recommended by tourism contacts. They aren't luxurious in the way of high thread-count sheets and in-room massages. Instead, these destinations share relatively low cost, and many offer a priceless amenity: seclusion.
Romp in the hay
Well, probably near some hay. If you like the idea of a quiet country idyll with your own screened-in porch and quilt-draped bed on a century-old farmstead, Palo Alto Creek Farm should fill the bill. The farm five miles outside Fredericksburg in the Hill Country has four sweet guesthouses, each with a fireplace, a porch, a private bath and a kitchen stocked with makings for a continental breakfast. Lovers sitting in a swing under an 800-year-old tree might spot a wild turkey or a deer, along with a few resident longhorns.
Cost: From $125 per night. Contact: 1-800-997-0089; www.paloaltocreekfarm.com.
Something old
A visit to Boerne, about 22 miles northwest of San Antonio, is a good thing anytime, but we mention it because of Ye Kendall Inn, which first opened in 1859. The inn has 36 rooms and cottages furnished in Old World style. The Limestone Grille's wine list is long, and the dining room feels as if it's sitting amid the trees outside. A few blocks farther into town, shop at the cool boutiques or take romantic walks along Cibolo Creek.
Cost: From $117 per night. Contact: 1-800-364-2138; www.yekendallinn.com.
Take me to the river
While you're in the vicinity, sign up for a San Antonio river cruise. A private, chartered dinner cruise for two hours runs $250.
Contact: 1-800-417-4139; www.riosanantonio.com.
Harbor view
The Texas Gulf Coast is yours to see from the Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay in Rockport. The 78 rooms and suites come with either pool or bay views, some with kitchens as well, so you never have to actually go outside. On the other hand, there are golf and bird-watching.
Cost: From $155 per night. Contact: 1-866-790-8439; www.lighthousetexas.com.
After the storm
Galveston continues to recover from Hurricane Ike, and Grace Manor, built in 1905, has its pretty doors open for business. If theVictorian charm inside isn't enough, add a horse-drawn carriage ride, or treat each other to breakfast in bed.
Cost: From $139 per night, depending on the room. Contact: 1-800-810-8590; www.gracemanor-galveston.com.
Sea of love
While you're considering Galveston, look into cruising, which can be very economical. Tom Baker of CruiseCenter in Houston (1-800-497-8799; www.cruisecenter.com) suggests marrying onshore on a Saturday, then boarding a ship the next day bound for the Western Caribbean. Seven-day Carnival itineraries can be reserved for as little as $399 per person (1-800-227-6482; www.carnival.com).
Stay on cloud nine
In the mountains of New Mexico, rain comes almost every afternoon in summer to soften the day's heat and begin the cool evening. The relief is palpable and soothing. Cloudcroft, in the state's south, is one of the best places in New Mexico to experience this singular joy. About 9,000 feet up in Lincoln National Forest, the village is a quiet counterpoint to busy Ruidoso. The Lodge Resort and Spa, with 59 rooms and suites, affords a lovely place to stay year-round.
Cost: Honeymoon Suite, $235 per night. Other rooms from $125. Contact: 1-800-395-6343; www.thelodgeresort.com.
Calling all angels
Angel Fire always felt to us like a northern counterpart to Cloudcroft: small, uncrowded, set on magnificent mountains. It's within a few hours of Santa Fe should the City Different beckon. Angel Fire Resort, a ski lodge by winter and headquarters for mountain biking and hiking in summer, is the place to stay.
Cost: Average rate from $89 per night. For more privacy, one-bedroom condos start at $187. Contact: 1-800-633-7463; www.angelfireresort.com.
Base camp
Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino is just outside Santa Fe, making it a good place for a couple who wants to delve into northern New Mexico. From here, you can easily drive to Abiquiu (Georgia O'Keeffe territory); take the beautiful high road to Taos, through the towns of Las Truchas and Las Trampas; go into Santa Fe for dining and shopping; or hike in Santa Fe National Forest.
Cost: From $186 for an advance-purchase double at Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder. Contact: 505-455-5555; www.buffalothunderresort.com.
Architectural romance
The Inn at Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla., has just 19 guest rooms occupying the seven upper floors of a skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Suites have glass-wrapped sleeping lofts, and admission to Price Tower Arts Center is part of every room rate.
Cost: From $145 per night. Contact: 918-336-4949; www.pricetower.org.
Plain pretty
Tatanka Ranch occupies 1,000 acres of plain near Stroud, Okla., promising country life with city luxury. Rent one of 10 cabins for privacy, and ponder the wide-open spaces together on the lodge's porch.
Cost: Cabins from $110 per night. Contact: 1-866-427-1931; www.thetatankaranch.com.
More ideas
Oklahoma City is less than an hour from Tatanka Ranch, and there you can splurge on a private cruise on the Oklahoma River for about $650 (405-702-7755; www.okrivercruises.com). Also check out Aaron's Gate Cottages in Edmond (1-800-299-6347; www.arcadianinn.com). In Ardmore, consider Shiloh Morning Inn (580-223-9500; www.shilohmorning.com).
Hot spot
Lake Hamilton at Hot Springs, Ark., is mighty pretty. Lookout Point Lakeside Inn bed-and- breakfast overlooks the water. It's geared to the marriage-minded with several honeymoon packages plus "elopement packages." National Geographic Traveler thought the inn fine enough for a mention in one of its lists of Top 150 Hotels.
Cost: Ultimate Escape honeymoon package is $1,906 to $2,346. It includes four nights with amenities such as chocolate, champagne, roses, robes and tickets to area attractions. Standard rooms from about $215. Contact: 501-525-6155; www.lookoutpointinn.com.
Spain in the Ozarks?
Cost: Presidential Suite is $249 per night. Executive suites from $129. Contact: 870-741-2321; www.hotelseville.com.
Skinny-dip
Times-Picayune travel editor Millie Ball says the tiny Abita Springs Bed and Breakfast an hour from New Orleans in (you guessed it) Abita Springs, is "rather wonderful, with an amazing pool couples can reserve for themselves after 5 p.m." A spokesman at the inn says skinny-dipping does happen. The property consists of two cabins, so privacy is assured.
Cost: From $125 per night. Contact: 1-866-892-1123; www.asbb.com.
Get aloft
Shadetree Inn bed-and-breakfast in St. Francisville has three tempting accommodations: a cottage with stained-glass and views; a loft with cathedral ceilings; and a hideaway with a sun porch and a treetop deck.
Cost: From $145 per night. Contact: 225-635-6116; www.shadetreeinn.com.
We know the Centennial State isn't contiguous, but Texans love it. Here, then, are two bonus ideas.
A jug of wine and thou
Southern Colorado is developing a reputation as a wine destination, and the Wine Country Inn talks Texan, owners Richard and Jean Tally say. The Dallas couple broke ground in 2007 on the inn, 89 rooms set amid vineyards in Palisade. Oenophiles will appreciate the daily wine reception.
Cost: Standard doubles from $89 a night in winter; $149, summer. Contact: 1-888-855-8330; www.coloradowinecountryinn.com.
Love among the ruins
You can stay at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park and have a honeymoon with views of three states. Enjoy sunsets and stargazing from the lodge, which sits on the shoulder of a mesa.
Cost: Magic Romance package ($259 per night) includes champagne, champagne flutes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and dinner for two in the Metate Room. Standard rooms from $120. Contact: 1-866-875-8456; www.nationalparkreservations.com.
Judy Wiley is a freelance writer in Grapevine.
Create A Screen Name
Screen names can only consist of letters and numbers.
Your screen name will appear to everyone.
NOTE: You cannot change, delete,
or edit your screen name once you hit "Save".
RSS
E-Mail newsletters
- Internet Explorer 7+
- FireFox 3+
- Safari
If you are using Internet Explorer 7, make sure Phishing Filter is turned off by going to Tools / Phishing Filter / Turn Off Automatic Website Checking. If you are using Internet Explorer 8, make sure InPrivate Filtering is turned off and InPrivate Filtering data has been cleared. To turn off InPrivate Filtering go to Tools / InPrivate Filtering Settings, select the "off" button and click "OK". To clear InPrivate Filtering dataYou must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name