Summer is upon us, and the days are as long as Rand Paul is short, which can only mean one thing… it’s time for a ROADTRIP!
Don’t be an amateur and wait until August recess to hit the road. Escape from the swarms of tacky tourists and Instagramming interns now while you still can, and free yourself from the heavy burden of pretending to be working.
We don’t want to threaten Jetsetter or anything, but the FamousDC team has done the grueling work of personally vetting each of these amazing regional vacay destinations, all within driving distance of our nation’s capital. We tasted the craft cocktails, slept in the Frette sheets, and came back to share all the deets with you, dear reader.
(Please note: None of the properties mentioned herein here have paid us for our endorsement, but if they’d like to thank us with a free weekend or whatever, you know, we’d be open to it… #justsaying)
5. The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulfur Springs, WV
This is not just your boss’s resort anymore.
If you’re into bunkers and dark government secrets of the past (and who isn’t?) this is the place for you. And if you want to run into your favorite lobbyist (and who does?) this is also the place for you. Come for the golf and the iconic Dorothy Draper interiors; stay for the networking opportunities.
Man about town Archie Smart recommends it as “an amazing destination with grandeur, history, and a terrific golf course,” while a friend of FDC who shall remain anonymous (Nathan Imperiale) commented “I’ve never been when it’s open to the public, only for Congressional retreats, so I don’t really know what the vibe is normally like…” Now that’s a #humblebrag if we’ve ever heard one.
The Greenbrier will most certainly change your opinion of West Virginia as nothing but banjos and moonshine.
4. The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA
If the kids are begging to hit up a water park, this is definitely the most tolerable way to make their dreams come true, since you can forget all about the screaming, splashing kids while sipping cocktails in the spa.
(Editor’s Note: They don’t actually serve cocktails in the spa, but the FDC delegation may have ordered room service and had them deliver cocktails to us in the spa’s relaxation room. We literally have no shame.)
The Homestead has worked hard in recent years to overcome its reputation as cheaper version Greenbrier, expanding their activities offerings to include multiple pools, shooting, and fly-fishing. And if you’re looking to connect with Thomas Jefferson on a spiritual level, you can “take the waters” at the nearby Jefferson pools just like he did.
3. The Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford Springs, PA
This is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away in the Cumberland Valley in central Pennsylvania, and less of a typical destination from DC folks than the other properties on this list. (But, hey, if you’re actually looking to escape this Beltway life, that’s a good thing.)
The coolest thing about this resort is it’s history, and they’ve done a better job preserving and honoring that than any other property on this list, in our humble opinion. After sitting empty for almost 20 years, the Omni Bedford Springs underwent a $120 million renovation in 2007 that brought back all the opulence and grandeur of its heyday.
2. Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg, VA
Can you really call it a vacation when you’re only driving 45 minutes away? YES. Salamander is the newest resort destination on the scene; a 340 acre Equestrian estate, nestled in Virginia’s hunt country and burgeoning wine scene.
Everything from the romantic library bar to the coma-inducing spa at this resort will have begging for more when it comes time to leave. If you’ve never experienced a complete and total “spa-gasm” before, Salamander will take you there. Just make sure you shower before you head back to the office.
1. The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael’s, MD
The Inn at Perry Cabin, best known for its cameo at the beginning of the movie Wedding Crashers, captures all of the elegance of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. No, like, literally all of it; don’t bother going anywhere else on the Chesapeake Bay.
This property is owned by Belmond, better known as Orient-Express Hotels (before they made the curious decision to forgo their iconic name,) and they embody a level of luxury that’s hard to compete with. If you’re looking to impress your girlfriend, ask her to be your wife, or say “I Do,” this is the place to do it.
FDC’s favorite part of the Inn at Perry Cabin – and it was hard to choose from their sumptuous spa, pool, incredible restaurant, and unparalleled views – is the Purser’s Pub. Something about leather chairs, an open-hearth fireplace, and a gin martini just does it for us, every time.
