If you find yourself daydreaming about leaving the traffic and noise of DC behind, you’re not alone… and you’re in exactly the right place. Picture yourself checking in to a peaceful cabin retreat, relaxing by a glowing fireplace, soaking in a hot tub with a glass of wine in hand, and stoking a wood-burning fireplace as snowflakes gently blanket the world around you at any one of these cozy getaways.
The winter weeks that follow the chaos of the holidays are the ideal time to slow down, unwind, and reset for the new year ahead. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll agree that there’s no better place to do so than in a cozy getaway house outside the city.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite cozy winter stays near Washington, DC that are perfect for romantic weekends away, family adventures, and solo escapes alike. Keep reading to discover the best places to stay warm, recharge, and make some unforgettable winter memories this season!
AVA A-Frame | Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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Located 2 hours from Washington, DC, and minutes from the Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park, this beautiful four-story A-frame home will have you checking every nook and cranny for secret rooms and hidden passages.
From a covert coffee bar waiting to be found behind a hidden door, to a staircase hidden under the kitchen island, to a full home movie theater tucked behind a bookshelf…this place feels like something straight out of a fantasy novel (or an episode of Scooby Doo).
On top of all that, the property features a decked-out game room with billiards, a PS5 gaming system, and a poker table. Outside, you’ll find a hot tub, grill, flatiron, and even arrows and an archery butt. The cozy cherries on top? A fourth-story stargazing nook, indoor wood-burning fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the valley.
The Valley Gramophone | Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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Perched atop a little mountain overlooking your own private valley, and located less than 2 hours from DC is another one of our Shenandoah Valley Favorites: The Valley Gramophone. Beyond the beautiful views that surrounded us, we also absolutely loved the outdoor firepit, indoor woodstove, record wall & player, wood-burning hot tub, floor-to-ceiling windows, charcoal grill & spacious deck, and the fact that all of the wood in the house (floors, trim, countertops, shelves) was milled locally from the trees taken down to build!
Mirror Villas | Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
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Boasting the title of the “First Ever Mirror Villa Retreat on the East Coast,” this property is perched on a mountaintop and home to four glass homes with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views. Each unit overlooks Whitetail Mountain Resort‘s 22 ski runs, has a private patio and hot tub, and makes for the perfect setting to immerse oneself in nature.
Villas are available for two and four people, and some are pet-friendly. We stayed in a Deluxe Villa with a private sauna, fire pit, and grill. Inside, our villa was equipped with a bathroom, kitchenette, heated floors, board games, and a projector to watch movies after dark. They’ve also partnered with a local spa, to offer in-unit massages and facials using organic products.
Due to its location two minutes from the slopes, this property is perfect for skiers and snowboarders… but it’s also ideal for hikers. Several state parks and forests can be found just a stone’s throw away including Buchanan State Forest, Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park, Fort Frederick, and Cowans Gap State Park. These bad boys are packed with snowy winter wonderland trails and even opportunities for ice fishing!
Monte Vista | Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
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This modern retreat is located two hours from DC in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, on 33 private acres. It boasts three beautifully designed bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a fully furnished kitchen, and a living room with a unique glass garage door that leads to panoramic mountain views. There’s also a grill, outdoor seating area, hot tub, and fire pit. And to top it all off, there’s an eco-friendly driving tee (complete with biodegradable golf balls) on-site.
The surrounding area offers ample opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing, as well as access to nearby mineral springs and “America’s First Spa” at Berkeley Springs State Park. Here you can receive a variety of services including massages, facials, and sauna sessions, or opt to soak in a Roman or whirlpool bath filled with the park’s mineral water. If you want to indulge in a soak or spa service, we recommend calling ahead as sessions are limited and often booked weeks in advance. There is also a public tap in the park where you can fill up your water bottle or jug with spring water free of charge!
Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins | West Virginia
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Harman’s Log Cabins are located 2.5hrs from Washington, DC, and just over 3hrs from Pittsburgh, PA & Richmond, VA, within Seneca Rocks Spruce Knob National Recreation Area. The property is nestled on the banks of a private access trophy trout stream, home to more than 20 modern log cabins, and is as beautiful as it is expansive.
The cabins range in size from one to four bedrooms and all come fully furnished and equipped with private, outdoor hot tubs and fire rings. They also boast on-site saunas and hiking trails. During your visit, don’t miss catching a sunset from the “Top of the Rocks.” This hike is right on the property and is the perfect vantage point to catch a fiery (read: almost heavenly) winter sky.
Nearby, you can hike snowy trials and chase waterfalls in Dolly Sods Wilderness and Blackwater Falls State Park, venture underground to explore Smoke Hole Caverns, the second tallest cave east of the Mississippi, or even sled down the East Coast’s longest sled run. Read our full guide to exploring this winter wonderland of an area.
Sayre Mansion | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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While Bethlehem is home to several iconic properties, we were lucky enough to spend a night at the Sayre Mansion. And we were even luckier to stay in what was once Mr. Sayre’s office (which is also said to be haunted, although we didn’t personally experience any Christmas ghosts). We were however greeted with the warmest welcome by the mansion’s staff and enjoyed free-flowing port wine and snacks in the beautifully decorated common area as well as the most delicious breakfast that was included with our stay.
Built in 1858, the mansion was originally the home of Robert H. Sayre, an industrialist and the chief engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, who is often accredited with the success and development of the area. Over the years, the property served (briefly) as a fraternity house and was later turned into an apartment building. By 1990, it was slated for demolition due to its deteriorated state, but was saved by a local couple who transformed the property into the luxury and history-filled inn that it is today. Now, the mansion serves as a well-preserved example of Gothic Revival style architecture, with intricate woodwork, towering ceilings, and expansive windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
Ohiopyle Tree House | Farmington, Pennsylvania
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Located three hours from Washington, DC at the end of a gravel road in Farmington, PA, and equipped with a hot tub, custom fireplace, and a mile of private hiking trails, Ohiopyle Treehouse is truly an outdoor lover’s paradise. This two-bedroom home sleeps six and is equipped with a full kitchen, ADA-accessible bathroom, WiFi, and a spacious living room. Outside you’ll find a propane grill and three covered patios one with a cozy swing bed.
The cherry on top? This property’s namesake, Ohiopyle, has been voted the best small town in the Northeast by USA Today’s 10 Best, and there are ample winter activities to engage in nearby! If you’re up for some outdoor adventuring, you can chase frozen waterfalls in Ohiopyle State Park, cross country ski through Laurel Ridge State Park, or hike or snowshoe along snowy trails in Kooser or Laurel Hill State Parks. Laurel Hill State Park and Ohiopyle State Park also maintain sled hills throughout the season, so don’t forget to pack your own sled! Several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings can be found in the area as well, and while some are only open seasonally, his iconic Fallingwater House is open for tours year-round.
Whether you’re looking for elevated luxury or rustic charm, these winter getaway rentals are sure to offer the perfect escape. Now all that’s left to do is choose your favorite, pack your coziest winter sweaters, and prepare to unwind as you take in the beauty of the season.
