Looking for a mid
vacay that's not too far
from home? We've got you
covered with four fabulous
(and fabulously close) pick
GROWN-UP GETAWAYS
LANGDON HALL, CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO
What was once a forest and sheep-graz-
ing pasture is now, more than a century
later, celebrated for its chic elegance. But
it is still country chic, to be sure, in the
way that the grand estates of England —
and Canada — are country chic, exuding
a bucolic charm while catering to every
modern expectation.
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel &
Spa, nestled in Cambridge, Ontario, is a
mere three-hour drive from Metro De-
troit, but it will land you in another era.
Langdon Hall was built in 1898 as a
magnificent summer home for American
Eugene Langdon Wilks (great-grandson
of John Jacob Astor, founder of New York
City's Waldorf-Astoria), who was looking
for an escape from his homes in New York
and London and his 'thateau iirthe Loire
Valley.
He found it in the 25,000-square-foot,
32-room manse, with grounds designed
by Central Park's famed landscape archi-
tect, Frederick Law Olmstead.
Every detail of the Federal Revival-style
home was meticulously restored in 1987
by current owners William Bennett and
Mary Beaton, who transformed it into the
ultimate country manor retreat: fifty-
two luxurious guest suites with wood-
burning fireplaces and brimming with
antiques (check out the new graciously
rustic rooms in the former stable, all with
therapeutic whirlpool baths), a full-
service spa (try the Vichy Aroma Rain
Scrub with Dead Sea salt under a Vichy
yp .
lar*
waterfall) and a Five-Diamond, award-
winning Dining Room (a destination in
itself) overlooking a lily pond with menus
prepared from the estate's own fruit, veg-
etable and herb gardens.
Roam the 200 acres of sweeping lawns,
picturesque gardens — including a formal
water garden — and four walking trails
through rich Carolina forest. Play a game
of tennis, croquet or billiards, cool off in
the outdoor heated pool or, if you're re-
ally dedicated, burn off your breakfast of
Rye Whiskey French Toast, lake trout or
goat-cheese tart — or traditional English
afternoon tea — in the palm-tree lined
Conservatory with a visit to the gym.
WHIT ,F, YOU'RE THERE Visitors can
bike to nearby Paris following the Trans
";w 7i
—1-rar''',4
of.
Canada Trail along the historic, postcard-
perfect Grand River (don't forget your
Langdon Hall-provided knapsack with
maps, a snack and lunch) and canoe the
Grand River, with trips arranged by the
Hall.
Browse world-class antiques in the
farm towns in the region of Waterloo with
a self-guided tour arranged by Langdon
Hall, or choose from a variety of golf
packages on the championship-style
course at Whistle Bear Golf Club. ET
° RATES: Rates begin at $279, Canadian
dollars.
CONTACT: (519) 740-2100; langdon-
hall.ca
It7P
THE INN AT BAY HARBOR, BAY HARBOR, MICH.
No time for a weekend jaunt to New
England? Here's a runner-up: the
Victorian-inspired Inn at Bay Harbor — a
Renaissance Golf Resort. The gorgeous
locale, along Lake Michigan's breathtak-
ing Little Traverse Bay, is just three miles
north of Petoskey, and barely 4Y hours
away from Metro Detroit.
Opened in 1998 by Boyne Resorts,
and a member of Renaissance Hotels &
Resorts since 2003, the Inn is fashioned
after Northern Michigan's romantic
turn-of-last-century inns — and all the
luxuriously elegant trappings that went
along with them.
Named among the "World's Best
Hotels" by the readers of Travel + Leisure
magazine, the Inn is steeped in elegance,
from cottage-like guest rooms appointed
in crisp whites and sea blue, to the plush
bedding and attentive staff (a thing of the
20 July 2011 I
RED THREAD
past in itself).
Many of the 84 one-, two- and three-
bedroom suites offer fireplaces, whirlpool
baths, private balconies and magnificent
Lake Michigan views. Or, check out Bay
Harbor's Lakeside Cottages, with expan-
sive porches and brick sidewalks, and the
Cottages at Crooked Tree, perched high
atop a bluff to provide an unobstructed
view of Lake Michigan and the Crooked
Tree Golf Club.
Stroll along the Inn's private stretch
of pristine white-sand beach on Little
Traverse Bay or take a dip in its heated
outdoor pool and whirlpool, then grab
lunch at the Cabana Bar. The Inn's lake-
shore frontage offers a croquet course,
life-size chessboard, Adirondack lounge
chairs and swinging hammocks along the
shoreline, where you can visit the evening
campfire for marshmallow roasting and
s'mores.
And the Inn is the only Michigan resort
ever to earn the Gold Medal in Golf
magazine's Premier Resorts: Choose from
the Crooked Tree Golf Club, perched high
above Bay Harbor, or the Bay Harbor Golf
Club, whose 27-hole Arthur Hills-de-
signed course along the bluffs has earned
it the nickname "the Pebble Beach of the
Midwest."
At the posh Spa at the Inn at Bay Har-
bor, guests can indulge in an 80-minute
Trip to Zen, featuring a full-body manda-
rin orange exfoliation; moms-to-be can
try one of the new maternity treatments,
like Mellow Momma and Yummy Tummy.
Chase the experience with views of Lake
Michigan, strawberries and lemon water
in the Relaxation Room.
Feeling inspired?
Drop in for yoga or Pilates before
heading to the on-site Sagamore's Dining
Room for Chilean sea bass and Charlev-
oix's John Cross whitefish — or a spectac-
ular morning buffet with make-your-own
chocolate waffles, omelets and more.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE Head to
Boyne Mountain for a scenic chairlift
ride, Twin Zip ride or guided Zipline
Adventure. While away the day at the
Village at Bay Harbor (walk over or pick
up the Inn's complimentary shuttle) for
boutiques, restaurants and a stroll along
the marina; or take the short drive to
downtown Petoskey, Charlevoix or Tra-
verse City. :2y
RATES: Midweek rates for July and
August start at $250 per night; following
Labor Day, rates start at $152.
CONTACT: (800) 462-6963; innatbay-
harbor.com .
www.redthreadmagazine.com