Snug Hotels

By Catherine Bodry

Posted March 13, 2008, at 1 p.m.

With winter stubbornly in place for at least a few more months, why not indulge in the best of winter stereotypes — roaring fires, toasty quilts and a steaming cup of tea. The following hotels allow you to do just that while helping you embrace winter like a warm bear hug.

Snow-covered goldminer's log cabin, Cooke City. Red Lodge, Montana.
© Christer Fredriksson. Lonely Planet Images.

Gallagher's Irish Rose – Red Lodge, Mont.

Take a winter road trip up the majestic Beartooth Scenic Highway and book yourself a bed at Gallagher's Irish Rose (877 446-0303; rooms from $79), a refurbished bed-and-breakfast that cultivates intimacy with only three rooms. Built in 1910, the home blends historic ambience with locally-produced art; co-owner Leah Gallagher even adorns the walls with her own paintings. Positioned only 68 miles from Yellowstone National Park and 6 miles from the Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort, the inn is close to ample opportunities for those who love winter. Activities include skiing, snowmobiling, cuddling up with a book from the library, or beating your mate in chess while parked in front of a snapping fire. The Gallaghers promise to prepare you for any choice with a hearty mountain breakfast that includes locally raised, natural bacon and sausage, homemade baked goods (apple pecan French toast and asparagus quiche, to name a couple), and fresh fruit from local farms when in season.

Colette's – Port Angeles, Wash.

If traffic to the ski hills is too clogged, drive right onto a ferry instead for a scenic ride across Puget Sound to Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Here, you'll find a mountain range free from the weekend hordes of Seattle skiers. Small inns are sprinkled across the valleys and beaches, most offering views and seclusion. One such lodging is Colette's (877 457-9777; rooms from $125), which is grand, but homey. This bed-and-breakfast is situated on a 10-acre estate of oceanfront, cedar-dotted property nestled on the Olympic coast. Enjoy the views of the San Juan Islands and Straight of Juan de Fuca from Colette's bluff-front gardens, which are meticulously designed and maintained. After a day of windy walking at Dungeness State Park or window shopping in Port Angeles, luxuriate in your king-sized bed or double whirlpool bath, or enjoy the handcrafted stone fireplace in the great room and library from the center of a buttery leather chair.

The Wilderness Inn – North Woodstock, N.H.

This former lumber mill owner's home cozies up inside White Mountain National Forest, a 2½-hour drive from Boston up Highway 93. The Wilderness Inn's (888 777-7813; rooms from $65) themed rooms are decorated using articles from various countries; bathroom amenities include specially milled soap. Load up on carbohydrates at breakfast — the menu includes crepes, French toast and pancakes — to get you ready for a day of skiing on miles of nearby cross-country trails. When you return home warm up in front of the roaring fire with a cup of homemade cider. Several rooms come decked out with fireplaces, whirlpool bathtubs and comfy rugs over hardwood floors — plenty of places to warm your toes. Lovers should book the bright Caribbean Cottage, which stands alone and overlooks the Lost River.

Aspen trees in autumn with Pilot, Index Peaks of Beartooth Mountains in distance.
© Christer Fredriksson. Lonely Planet Images.

Candlestick Cottage Inn – Eureka Springs, Ark.

If you're not much of a snow bunny, you can still enjoy the relaxing confines of a cozy inn without having to don a ski cap and mittens every time you head outside. Arkansas' Eureka Springs doesn't pack the heat of southern beaches, but its climate is moderate compared to northern mountain towns, making it a pleasant middle road between glacial and sweltering. Here, it's hard not to find something cozy and romantic to do — even without the snow. Known as "The Victorian Village," Eureka Springs' downtown is a National Historic area. Tucked on the hillside just above downtown, the Candlestick Cottage Inn (800 835-5184; rooms from $89) reflects Eureka Springs' Victorian roots with both its decor and architecture. Built into the canyon wall in the late 1800s, this inn warms guests up with double whirlpool baths in each room. It also offers wooded seclusion just a block away from shops and restaurants — one of the thrills of staying here is watching deer mosey by while you listen to a waterfall from your private porch.

Bio: Catherine Bodry lives and writes in Seward, Alaska, where she has perfected the art of coziness.

Permalink: http://www.progressive.com/driving-destinations/snug-hotels.aspx

The content provided by Lonely Planet Publications, while as accurate as possible, is provided "as is." Neither we, nor Lonely Planet Publications, accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety) before you travel.