New York’s Lake Placid Lodge, in winter
In general, we’re not fans of destination weddings that fall over major holidays—even if you’re not disrupting someone’s family tradition, you’re asking guests to buy airline tickets and hotel rooms at their priciest. But if it’s done right, there’s one exception to the rule: New Year’s Eve. The trick is finding a place most of your guests can drive to within a few hours, and that isn’t such a party destination that December 31st revelers will overrun your reception. You’ll have to reserve far in advance to ensure management will give over part of the property to your wedding, but thinking ahead to next year, these three inns would be perfect:
Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, New York: The main buildling, built in the style of the Adirondack Great Camps, houses a number of elegant guest rooms in addition to its high-ceiling restaurant, but even more inviting are the individual cabins.
Rosewood’s Inn on the Anasazi, Santa Fe, New Mexico: One of the thousand places you’re supposed to see before you die, this boutique hotel just off the main plaza comes with the Santa Fe essentials: kiva fireplaces, southwestern decor, and ahi tuna tacos.
Madrona Manor, Healdsburg, California: A Victorian in Sonoma County, the Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in original California cuisine with a proud French kick; 18 rooms and suites define wine country romance.
