Located in Bedford, the inn charms with romantic touches and a relaxing atmosphere that pairs history with luxury for local getaways.
Past white-steeple churches, meandering stone walls, and horse paddocks, the Bedford Post Inn approaches a weekend escape with equal parts romance and relaxation. Co-owned by Richard Gere (after all, who does romance better than Mr. Pretty Woman?), the Relais & Châteaux property feels intimate with just eight rooms in soothing palettes of white, black, cream, and taupe. King rooms boast fireplaces and cozy terraces, but we like the Queen Deluxe — where the plush beds are framed by exposed beams from the original 18th-century structure. No matter which room you choose, oversized bathrooms have intricate marble-mosaic floors; walk-in, dual-head showers; and clawfoot tubs.
Stays include complimentary classes at the inn’s Yoga Loft, a soaring space with cathedral ceilings and sunlight pouring through glass-paned French doors. After, consider an in-room massage or grab a map and a bike from the inn to explore nearby Ward Pound Ridge Reservation’s 4,300 acres. At 5 p.m., complimentary wine and charcuterie are served in the cozy, book-lined library. Then, proceed downstairs to Bedford Post’s Italian farmhouse restaurant, which draws well-heeled locals seeking supple, fresh pastas and full-bodied red wines from the cellar. (If the weather allows, take a nightcap outside to the cozy stone firepit.)
The next morning, prolong the romance a little longer and treat yourselves to a decadent brunch of caramel-apple-topped Dutch pancakes at The Barn.
Exploring the Bedford Area
Tracing its history back to 1680, the historic town of Bedford still has many charms to discover. Just off Old Post Road, kent decor (914.469.4552; www.kentdecor.com) curates a selection of unique pieces for your home, while RIDE Bedford (914.234.7433; www.ridebedford.com) is a go-to spot for preppy-chic equestrian wear. For lunch, try TRUCK (914.234.8900; www.truckrestaurant.com), serving farm-sourced tacos and margaritas. Or spend the afternoon exploring the nearby hamlet of Katonah, with its quirky array of stores. Warm up with bone-marrow-laced French onion soup at The Whitlock (914.232.8030; www.thewhitlockny.com); then browse the collection at the Katonah Museum of Art (914.232.9555; www.katonahmuseum.org). Back in Bedford, don’t leave town without seeing the sprawling Bedford Oak, which has stood for more than 500 years.
Bedford Post Inn
954 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY; 914.205.3773;Â www.bedfordpostinn.com;
Rates start at $450/night.
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