The Best Northeast Inns for a Winter Mini-Moon

Are you getting married in the winter? If so, you may have the desire to flee to a sunny destination after walking down the aisle. That's all well and good, but why not embrace a winter mini-moon, in addition to your trip or as a replacement for your destination vacation? There's plenty to love about a weekend getaway in the Northeast, especially when spent at an inn: reading a book by a fire, sipping a mug of hot chocolate (or glass of red wine), and eating hearty meals that'll warm you from the inside out. And, of course, lots of cuddling under blankets.

Whether you're a New Englander who's embraced this part of the country your entire life or a West coast couple looking for a change of pace, the Northeast has so much to offer honeymooners—especially when the snow begins to fall. We love the idea of supplementing a tropical trip with a small winter-centric stay, so go ahead and put a few of the following properties on your radar. We've rounded up a few of our favorite inns in the area; they span from Maryland to Maine. While each property boasts its own distinct highlights, there's one key detail that unites them all—and makes each and every one the perfect choice for your wintry first married trip: coziness.

In fact, these residences are so warm and inviting, they might just encourage you to skip the exotic trip entirely. Here, a few of our all-time favorite places to stay.

Don't let this property's sparkling waterfront views and lush golf course fool you—Inn at Perry Cabin is as beautiful during the winter months as it is in the middle of summer. With cozy, fireplace-lit nooks (like this one!), a locally-inspired menu (and next-level cocktails), and a history that dates back to colonial times, there's plenty to experience at this lauded residence—even when it's covered in snow.

Redbook editor-in-chief Meredith Rollins and author Malcolm Gladwell are among the owners of this 1806 clapboard inn, located in Connecticut's northwest corner. There are 16 contemporary, neutrally decorated rooms from which to choose, including a handful of suites in an adjacent building. Spend an afternoon exploring the antiques shops of nearby Millerton, New York, before settling in for a hearty meal at the inn's Dining Room, run by acclaimed chef Annie Wayte (and ranked one of America's best new restaurants of 2015 in Bon Appétit). There's also a game room for some post-dinner Scrabble or Monopoly.

A couple of years ago, a local husband-and-wife team set out to transform two 1880s buildings in the Berkshires. The result? This stylish property, which opened its doors last summer. Each of the 45 rooms is outfitted in locally made furniture, and some even have working gas fireplaces. There's a casual all-day restaurant, plus a lounge offering all kinds of indoor pursuits like board games and playing cards.

Just steps from the Delaware River, this 1850s farmhouse turned two-room inn—with two more opening this year—is the brainchild of Anna Bern, a former design director of Vogue who also owns the nearby home and accessories shop Nest. You'll find an eclectic mix of barn doors, Moroccan rugs, and mid-century furniture—and save time for a soak in the claw-foot tub.

This nine-room retreat in the Catskills—the latest project from Sims Foster and Kirsten Harlow Foster, the owners of the nearby Arnold House—quietly opened last fall. Nods to New York history appear in spades, from the 1900s two-lane bowling alley to the small movie theater complete with seats from Radio City Music Hall. Accommodations are divided between two buildings: five in the Main Inn House (which is also where you'll find the restaurant, serving dishes made only with local ingredients) and four larger suites in the Library House across the street.

Lark Hotels—known for its cheery, design-forward boutique properties—recently debuted its first non-coastal project, featuring a sunset-inspired color scheme and whimsical wallpaper. The modern accommodations include a mix of standard guest rooms, luxury suites, and cottage suites with private entrances and kitchenettes. Among the perks: a hot tub, spa treatment room, and small-plates breakfast (included with every stay), and come winter 2016, an on-site restaurant and bar.

The owners of Mid-Coast Maine's Camden Harbour Inn have done it again, this time with a renovation of a historic hotel (which, since being built in 1823, was also a rectory, school, and a hideout during Prohibition). After a day exploring Portland, you can relax in one of the sitting rooms, with a cup of complimentary cider in hand. Each of the nine rooms has its own look, and most come with working fireplaces. And don't miss dinner at Tempo Dulu, the hotel's Southeast Asian restaurant.