Mount Washington Resort
Running water is but one of the charms of this posh presidential retreat.

By Blythe Copeland

Photo by Scott Barrow

These days, indoor plumbing and electricity are the sort of basics you'd expect at any hotel. But when the Mount Washington was built in 1902, “modern” amenities like these made it an instant favorite among wealthy Bostonians looking for an escape.

A century later, the Mount Washington still impresses: The red-roofed structure rises proudly from the base of its namesake mountain. While the resort now boasts far more than working faucets, a stay at the hotel does feel like a step back in time. A recent $2 million restoration brought reproductions of the leather-and-wood chairs and a facelift for the hotel's legendary 900-foot veranda.

For those with a yen to head outside during their stay, there's a spate of outdoor activities for all seasons: 1,770 acres of cross-country ski trails; horseback riding and hiking during warmer months. History buffs can ogle the Thomas Edison–installed fuse box, sit in FDR's seat for the 1944 International Monetary Fund conference, or keep an eye out for the rumored resident ghost.

Mount Washington Resort
Route 302, Bretton Woods, NH, 800-314-1752, brettonwoods.com.
AMENITIES: Massage therapy, indoor pool ACTIVITIES: Horseback riding, hiking,
cross-country skiing, biking, tennis,
downhill skiing, snowboarding
WHAT'S NEW: A $2 million renovation of the Great Hall, main dining room, and veranda; complete restoration of the circa-1915 golf course; 25,000-square-foot spa and 15,000 square feet of meeting space scheduled for early 2009
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 364
COST PER NIGHT: $109–$1,100

Cranwell Resort
Euphoria comes standard at this Berkshires getaway.

By Julie Suratt

The number one reason to visit Cranwell is not its award-winning, par-70 golf course—although the linksters lining up outside at dawn might raise their clubs in protest. Nor is it the 10 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails. And although the 100-year-old Tudor mansion perpetually charms guests with its French wall tapestries, thickly woven Oriental rugs, overstuffed English sofas, and giant picture windows, we'd give it all up for one thing: an appointment with massage therapist Melissa Pieres.

Of course, we'd be hard-pressed to pick her out in a crowd—lying facedown on a massage table, you don't see much—though we could wax poetic about the strength of her hands. We've sampled (endured?) hundreds of spa treatments over the last decade, but we've never experienced such complete tranquility as we did at Cranwell's 35,000-square-foot spa.

Then again, the rest of this high-end experience is hardly an exercise in torture. While the area bustles—in the immediate vicinity, you'll find the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home at Tanglewood—the property feels surprisingly secluded. There are several options for accommodations, but your best bet is to stay in the Mansion: It's closest to the action (so to speak…), the rooms are cozy and romantic, and the views from the Rose Terrace at dusk once inspired the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, who purchased the land in 1853, to proclaim, “From here I can see the very hills of heaven.” Amen.

Cranwell Resort
55 Lee Rd., Lenox, MA, 800-272-6935, cranwell.com.
AMENITIES: 35,000-square-foot spa and
fitness facility; 18-hole par-70 golf course, including a 12-acre driving range and the Golf Digest School; 60-foot glass-enclosed pool and outdoor heated pool; three restaurants
ACTIVITIES: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tennis, mountain biking, fitness classes, golf
WHAT'S NEW: Spa-Stay packages with a choice of 25 different treatments
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 114
COST PER NIGHT: $295–$1,150