Fall is almost here, and as part of our Fall 2022 Preview, we’re scoping out all the events, experiences and entertainment you should add to your calendar for the upcoming months. Our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has curated a list of the best luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S. to visit for seeing the fall foliage this year, and also where and when to go for peak color this season. From New England through the Great Smoky Mountains and out to the mountain west, there are splendid natural wonders to behold across the U.S.
where and when are the best ways to see the fall foliage in luxury this year?
What makes fall so special? Is it the soft knit of our favorite sweater? The smell of cinnamon? Or is it the fact that fall is the most fleeting of the seasons?
Winter drags and summer’s swelter can feel endless, but fall is always over too fast. Each year, we have only a few short weeks to experience the world’s most magical paradox: how beautiful it can be to watch something end. Fall is full of contradictions, but in spite of those – or maybe because of them – it’s many people’s favorite time of year.
While the trees hurry to shed their leaves, the rest of us are asked to slow down, and take a minute to appreciate what’s around us. And if you’re looking for a place to take your time this autumn, here are fifteen spots that can’t be beat. Here’s where to go for your annual dose of fall foliage.
And if you’re wondering when to travel? This fall foliage map is here to help you plan.
15 Best luxury hotels for seeing the Fall foliage, and when to go for peak color
1. Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Colorado.
This boutique hotel sits in the mountains, only a short drive from the famous Trail Ridge Road. Explore the Chateau’s fourteen acres, and then take a scenic ride through the 48-mile loop to see Colorado’s magnificent trees.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S. for seeing fall foliage, and where and when to go for peak color.
And of course, the Rocky Mountain National Park awaits with all your hiking needs. No matter how you choose to view it – at the Chateau, in a car, or on foot – it’s going to be a fall to remember.
When to Go: The peak will fall between the second and third week of September (no pun intended).
2. Twin Farms in Vermont.
Tucked away in the town of Barnard, you’ll find one of Vermont’s most luxurious destinations. As they say, the backyard at Twin Farms is your playground, and we can’t think of a better season to play.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S. for seeing fall foliage, and where and when to go for peak color this season. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.
After venturing out on the farms’ many hiking trails, cozy up in one of their ten free-standing cottages and warm yourself by your fireplace. The perfect way to start the season.
When to Go: The peak color this year is said to be happening from October 4-14.
3. Triple Creek Ranch in Montana.
This luxurious Montana hideaway makes it easy to take in your wonderful surroundings. If you’re a novice hiker, you’re in luck – the ranch offers guided hikes and scenic drives through the middle of October. Choose the experience that’s right for you, and they’ll supply everything you need for a successful trip.
Glacier National Park in Montana. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
And if you’d rather hang out at the ranch? Don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep you busy – including archery, fly fishing, horseback riding, and more. Consider this your very own autumn adventure land.
When to Go: Late September through early October.
4. Amangani in Wyoming.
Located in the foothills of the Grand Tetons, this Jackson Hole paradise gives you a view of fall that you won’t forget. Of course, if the sight of the red-and-orange Snake River Valley isn’t enough, those with an adventurous spirit can head into the mountains for an even deeper autumn experience. Choose one of Amangani’s stunning suites – all of which come with a view of the Tetons – and bask in the glow of the perfect fall.
Best hotels to visit for the Fall foliage. Courtesy Photo.
When to Go: Peak is forecast to be in early October.
5. Adobe & Pines Inn in New Mexico.
You haven’t seen fall until you’ve seen it in New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle. And lucky for you, one of the state’s best inns is located only a short drive from the route. Each of the rooms at Adobes & Pines Inn is specially designed and offers unique features – think a stargazing roof, and over-sized tub. After a day exploring Taos, hop in the car and prepare to be enchanted by some of the finest foliage in the country.
When to Go: Peak usually hits the higher elevations in early to mid-October, and the lower elevations in mid-to-late October.
6. The Brooklin Inn in Maine.
If you’re looking for a fall getaway that will inspire you, this is the place. Brooklin is known for its community of artists and writers, making this a place that’s perfectly-suited to autumn’s thoughtful airs. And the foliage all around you – especially at Blue Hill Mountain – will simply be the cherry on top.
When to Go: Peak will hit between the second and third week in October.
7. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Wisconsin.
Fall is waiting for you at the 1,300 acre campus of the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. And your autumn immersion doesn’t have to stop at the foliage (though Lake Geneva does offer natural beauty in spades). You can expect a full season’s worth of experiences, with everything from haunted hayrides and pumpkin spice lattes, to golf and horseback riding. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa has it all.
When to Go: The peak is estimated for the 3rd week of October. For the most updated information, follow Wisconsin’s Fall Tracker.
8. Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa in New York
You’ve never experienced fall in the Adirondacks like this before. Mirror Lake Inn is gorgeous in every season, but when better than the moment its surroundings have turned to gold? Make the time for some of the best hikes in the state, and then head to the inn’s award-winning Lake Placid Spa to recharge.
When to Go: Peak will hit around the third week in October.
9. Old Edwards Inn and Spa in North Carolina
Located on the southern plateau of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Old Edwards Inn and Spa will give you a front row seat to the world’s best fall foliage – at a 4,118 foot elevation. Indulge in all that the inn has to offer – everything from spa, golf, and tennis, to the local theater in Highlands – and then dive into the mountains for your epic fall hike.
When to Go: Peak will hit between the third and fourth week in October.
10. Lookout Point Lakeside Inn in Arkansas
Self-described as a “manifesto for luxury, wellness, and romance,” this is what autumn dreams are made of. And the inn has even prepared a sample three-day fall trip itinerary for those in need of ideas. Your fantasy getaway will include picture-perfect gardens, awe-inspiring mountain views, and a heated massage to wrap up the weekend.
When to Go: The peak will happen between the end of October and the beginning of November.
11. Chateau Merrimack Resort and Spa in Massachusetts
Chateau Merrimack reopened last year (with a new name and new look!) and that means this is the best time to book a room– before the secret’s out. Adjacent to the Merrimack River, we can think of few places that will be as stunning for the season. And to make things even better, the Chateau is only a twenty-five-minute walk from the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest, which is over a thousand acres. You can hike, bike, and even horseback ride– and yes, there are plenty of leaves to peep! When you return to the chateau, curl up in front of the fireplace, book a spa appointment, and enjoy a hearty fall meal.
12. The Lodge At Woodloch in Pennsylvania
Nestled in the Pennsylvania Lake Region of the Poconos Mountains, The Lodge At Woodloch offers their guests access to world-famous fall foliage. Hiking and biking are of course a must, but you will also want to wander through the 500 acres of golden forest that enshrine this destination spa resort. And during your stay you’ll find plenty of opportunities for enrichment. Imagine your way through art classes (and culinary classes!), indulge in some restorative spa treatments, and take advantage of the incredible fitness facilities.
13. The Ashby Inn in Virginia
This Northern Virginia bed and breakfast is an extremely popular destination for fall. Why? The Shenandoah Valley offers an epic landscape, and ample opportunity to venture through the foliage – the inn is less than twenty minutes from multiple outdoor adventure locations. And since it’s right at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’d expect nothing less. The Ashby is also known for its restaurant, which is considered one of the best in the entire state.
14. Blackberry Farm in Tennessee
Blackberry Farm is a beloved vacation spot all through the year – but as with most things, anything that is great all year long is at its very best in fall. At least, in our opinion. Not only do you have the glorious scenery of the Smoky Mountains at your doorstep, but the farm itself is a treasure trove of favorite activities – everything from carriage rides to farmstead field rides. Since there’s nowhere quite like Blackberry Farm, and no time quite like the fall – they seem like a perfect pair to us.
15. Montage Deer Valley in Utah
Adventure awaits at this Alpine escape, especially during the peak season for fall foliage. Though this property is best known for luxury ski vacations, Montage Deer Valley should not be overlooked for a fall getaway. Borrow a mountain bike, or sign up for a chartered expedition through Utah’s National Parks – which are some of the best places to see foliage in the entire country. And when your body needs a break, you know you’ll want to visit their 35,000 square foot spa sanctuary.
best luxury hotels for seeing peak season Fall foliage this year
That’s our take on the best hotels, B&Bs and resorts in the U.S. for seeing the beauty of the fall foliage. Along with tips on when to go for the peak color this season. What say you, dear reader? Are you up for some leaf peeping this fall?
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.
