There is a lovely poetic justice about fall: yes, the lazy days of summer are gone, but the lively, temperate and stunning beauty of autumn is all just as pleasant, if not more so.
Here are seven unforgettable hotels that will help you experience the magic of the season like never before.
Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
Well-positioned in historic Greenwich Village, this bohemian beauty is an ideal home base for exploring autumn in the city. Fall in New York is something to behold: restaurants and cafés are filled with patrons back from vacations, boutiques are abuzz with the latest fashions, museums are bustling with new exhibits, Central Park is gloriously painted in reds, oranges and yellows and the weather has the slightest chill in the air.
Take in some of the season’s newest offerings with the 13th Street stay’s Whitney Museum Experience Package. With it, you’ll receive two VIP tickets to the Whitney Museum of American Art (meaning you can skip the line to get in), plus two cocktails on arrival and a Whitney Museum-branded tote bag.
After you’ve spent an afternoon exploring the galleries (don’t miss the September-launched Roy Lichtenstein exhibit), take the 15-minute stroll back to the hotel and curl up with a Manhattan by the lovely library fireplace.
There isn’t a much better time of year to visit Budapest than in fall: the walking city’s tourist crowds thin, temperatures are pleasant, cafés and museums are bustling and parks are filled with autumn’s bright colors.
This regal Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat is ideally located for those wanting to take in the sights, which is exactly what you’ll do when you book the Emperor Package. It includes a tour of Budapest that dives into its rich 19th-century history and sumptuous accommodations for you to return to after exploring.
Other promotional perks include daily buffet breakfast, free entrance to the plush spa and the chance to dine on the Emperor Dish (traditional Hungarian goulash stew) in the iconic, gilded New York Café — a wonderful way to warm up after a chilly fall day.
Tokyo may be part concrete jungle, but it’s also filled with urban parks teeming with golden ginkgo trees and deep-red Japanese maples dripping in seasonal tones. Soak up the region’s spectacular fall foliage from the comfort of this historic Four-Star hotel, just across from 40-acre Hibiya Park.
The grand property is near the Ginza shopping neighborhood and the Imperial Palace, so there’s plenty of strolling to be done. Or opt to take the hotel’s limousine service to tour the beautiful areas surrounding Mt. Fuji.
When the air turns crisp and cool, do as the residents do and indulge in a bowl of comforting udon noodles and have a long, hot soak in a local onsen bathhouse.
Tip: Be sure to book a higher floor in the hotel’s tower for magnificent views of the city awash in fall splendor.
Impossibly posh and quintessentially British, this luxe London address makes for an unforgettable visit any time of year, but there’s certainly something special about a stay in October or November.
The historic Five-Star hotel is nicely located in Mayfair, within an easy walk to Hyde, Green and St James’s parks, which glow in seasonal hues. The property is also in the middle of the neighborhood’s high-end restaurants and sophisticated shopping, which are brimming with activity this time of year. That said, there’s plenty on the premises to keep you busy, including a Four-Star spa, a Jean-Georges restaurant, a chic bar (order a Connaught Martini) and, of course, daily afternoon tea.
Partake in all of this with the Timeless Weekend package, which includes a traditional English breakfast, a bottle of champagne, a curated selection of films to watch in-room and a 2 p.m. checkout.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver
Take advantage of a stay in this towering Five-Star hotel (the second-tallest building in Vancouver) by booking a higher-up, northwest-facing room for stellar floor-to-ceiling views of scenic Stanley Park. But even if you don’t have a park-facing vista from your guest room, you’ll want to head to the popular urban green space for a leisurely hike or bike ride through the colorful trees.
For extra stunning scenery, embark on a day trip up to Whistler, about 90-minutes north of the city, where you can soak up lakes, waterfalls and canyons ablaze in the hues of the season.
Linger longer among the city’s vibrant foliage with the sleek skyscraper’s Exclusive Autumn Offer. Reserve your stay before October 31 and enjoy up to 20 percent off your designer digs.
If it’s glorious views you’re after, consider a trip to Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto. This Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat is one of the tallest buildings in the city, providing top-notch vistas of the nearby Higashiyama Mountains that are sure to be splashed in vibrant seasonal colors.
This historic hotel also oversees the enchanting Awata Sanso restaurant. Resting just a five-minute drive from the property at the foot of Mt. Awata, the venue’s charming garden (seen through panoramic windows in a traditional Japanese dwelling) changes with the seasons and is nothing short of brilliant in the fall.
And the food is as memorable as the surroundings. Fine kaiseki (multi-course) menus are filled with flavorful local fare like persimmon salad, fresh sashimi and duck meatballs.
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
If you aren’t familiar with the climate in City by the Bay, you may be surprised to learn that fall offers some of the most reliably warm temperatures of the year. Locals know that this is the best time to enjoy the area, and you’ll find them almost giddy with excitement to get outdoors for festivals, hikes, bike rides and concerts.
This Four-Star hotel helps you soak up more autumn sun with the Treat You package, which entails a four-night stay for the price of three in a Ritz-Carlton Club Guest Room. You’ll have time to listen to musicians at Golden Gate Park, stroll through excellent farmers markets, cozy up by a bonfire on Ocean Beach and even take a day trip to Napa for a winery harvest party.
Between adventures, access to the Club Level, where you can nibble on complimentary bites, sip on local vintages during weekend wine tastings and plan your next outing with the dedicated concierge.
