<p>Mount Washington Hotel and Chatham Bars-or the Balsams in Dixville Notch, NC. Not really sure what you are defining/looking for and not really sure why you asked on CC! Check out Trip Advisor.</p>
<p>I tried doing a google search, but all I got were luxury hotels or Marriots. Also I don’t care when or where, so it makes it difficult to use the search engines. I thought I’d do better with word-of-mouth on CC so to speak, and I was right! All of these suggestions are right on target with my misty longings for the old, golden days of gracious travel. Thank you everyone.</p>
<p>Another two:
Very grand with magnificent views of the Atlantic. Located in Watch Hill, RI about 2 hours from NYC: [Ocean</a> House | Relais & Chateaux | Rhode Island Hotels | Ocean House | Luxury Beach Hotels in Watch Hill RI](<a href=“http://www.oceanhouseri.com%5DOcean”>http://www.oceanhouseri.com)</p>
<p>Quaint with beautiful views. Lovely traditional dining in Kennebunkport, ME:
[Kennebunkport</a> Maine Inn,Kennebunkport restaurant,kennebunkport ocean front inn,oceanfront dining,kennebunkport bed and breakfast, Cape Arundel Inn Kennebunkport Maine.](<a href=“http://capearundelinn.com%5DKennebunkport”>http://capearundelinn.com)</p>
<p>Welll…I’m cheap when it comes to hotels, but if $ were no object…</p>
<p>I’d pick one of those lovely old mansions in Newport, Rhode Island. They are expensive but they are nice and Newport is my idea of a truly beautiful place a reasonable distance from New York. look on tripadvisor for a list of hotels.</p>
<p>No travel needed if you stay at The Plaza.</p>
<p>The Colony Hotel–Kennebunkport. No airconditioning, no tv’s in the rooms. not sure how far of a drive it would be for you…</p>
<p>Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid is extremely nice, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.</p>
<p>The Balsams is lovely, but is currently closed… hopefully they will reopen in 2013! </p>
<p>Mount Washington Hotel is lovely… highly recommend!</p>
<p>I liked the Hotel North Hampton a lot as well. Stayed there on XMas day in a blizzard sometime around 2003-ish, I think… on route from NYC (where we spent XMas Eve with my BFs family) to NH (to spend XMas day with my family) we got derailed by a snow storm in North Hampton and were thrilled to find a lovely hotel with a charming restaurant on site, since even McDonald’s was closed because of the storm. I remember this as a fun adventure, my BF is still unconvinced… although he thought the hotel was nice. :-).</p>
<p>I definitely second Cape May, especially Congress Hall, but Interesteddad–that you mentioned Wentworth-by-the-Sea is incredible! I stayed there once as a child, and it has a magical place in my memory. I thought of it right away when i read the OP, but had no idea if it still existed! so cool that you posted it.!</p>
<p>Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. Its been a family favorite since the 1960s. It never disappoints us.</p>
<p>[Poconos</a> Mountain Family Resorts | Poconos Couples Vacations | Pocono Spa | Weddings | Skytop PA](<a href=“http://www.skytop.com/]Poconos”>http://www.skytop.com/)</p>
<p>We just held our S’s wedding at the Wentworth by the Sea! It’s spectacular and definitely has that classic old hotel feel. Nearby Portsmouth has wonderful shops and dining options, and is a great historic town to explore. </p>
<p>Two others that we love have also already been suggested, the Mount Washington and the Mountain View Grand. The Colony in Kennebunkport Maine is a great suggestion but it is seasonal and only open May-October.</p>
<p>Look into Mohonk. </p>
<p>It’s definitely pricey, and we’ve been there only once (for the first two nights of our honeymoon). But it’s a lovely place, disconnected from the rest of the world. We almost felt like we were in Europe. It had wonderful fall hiking for us. I’ve heard of others going for winter activities such as skating.</p>
<p>A short drive from NYC [Hotel</a> Bethlehem Official Site - Welcome](<a href=“http://www.hotelbethlehem.com/]Hotel”>http://www.hotelbethlehem.com/) Bethlehem is simply beautiful at Christmas time and the Hotel Bethlehem is a classic historic hotel right in the best part of this small city. There are carriage rides and a wonderful Craft market - [ArtsQuest</a> Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem](<a href=“http://www.artsquest.org/christkindlmarkt/]ArtsQuest”>Christkindlmarkt ArtsQuest Circle Event — ArtsQuest)</p>
<p>I thought the Plaza had been turned into condos.</p>
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<p>Some of the rooms and suites are now hotel condos, but there are still traditional hotel rooms available to non-owners as well.</p>
<p>There is the Viking in Newport - also just refurbished - which I really like</p>
<p>I have been to the sagamore (lake george) and it is wonderful.</p>
<p>Have been to the cranwell in Lenox Mass - nice
Have been to the middlebury in vermont - also nice</p>
<p>Try this site for ideas:</p>
<p>[Historic</a> Hotels of America | Historic Travel Experiences](<a href=“http://www.historichotels.org/]Historic”>http://www.historichotels.org/)</p>
<p>Mt Washington Hotel in NH is really nice and their spa is spectacular. Classic old school that has been modernized…dress for dinner or casual in the pub, beautiful scenery, lots to do, etc. A really great experience.</p>
<p>Here’s another:
[Inn</a> On Newfound Lake - The Inn on Newfound Lake](<a href=“http://www.newfoundlake.com/main.html]Inn”>http://www.newfoundlake.com/main.html)</p>
<p>H and I were recently staying at Mohonk Mountain House. Totally wonderful.</p>
<p>On second thought, despite its exterior and 1920’s origins, the Hotel Northampton might not be the splash experience you seek. </p>
<p>I’m remembering now: the night I stayed there, my reservation in Amherst had been bungled. Amherst/Hadley was completely full but the bunglers found me availability at a late hour in Hotel Northampton. The rooms and hallways had just been renovated to modernity and under new, delightful management after some years. </p>
<p>I was so tired and grateful to have a place to stay – it felt grand. But it won’t knock your socks off. I think it’d be a very good, proper, well-run modern hotel, set on the Main street of a unique and interesting college town.</p>