Free weekends get scarce once the holidays start. That leaves you a short run of fall weekends to rest up before the hectic weeks ahead. The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center in Staunton, Virginia, built its new Pre-Holiday Hiatus Package around those weekends, right in the middle of harvest season in the Shenandoah Valley.
The package pairs three nights at the inn with three spa treatments. You choose them from a lineup that includes seasonal favorites like an Orange Clove Massage, plus new options such as a calming Hair Combing experience and an Ayurvedic Body Steam Treatment. The inn pitches the stay to solo travelers who need a reset and small groups of friends looking for an easy weekend away.
Travelers Want Trips That Help Them Reset
A new survey of more than 14,000 travelers found that nearly two-thirds (65%) actively seek experiences that calm the body and reset the nervous system. Even more, 76%, say travel helps them recharge in ways they can’t easily manage at home. The Blackburn’s package builds your stay around that kind of downtime.
What’s in the Package
Here’s what The Blackburn Inn, a member of Historic Hotels of America, includes:
- Three nights in one of 49 individually designed guest rooms inside a restored historic building from the 19th century.
- Three spa treatments at the on-site, three-story, full-service spa.
- A mix of massages and body treatments for easing into the cooler season.
- Access to seasonal dining at Second Draft Bar and Bistro, the inn’s on-site restaurant.
- More than 80 acres of rolling Virginia hills, steps from downtown Staunton.
Downtown Staunton Is Steps Away
Second Draft sources its dishes from local farms, so you can eat local without leaving the property. Still, downtown Staunton sits close enough to walk.
There, you’ll find wine bars, coffee houses, vineyard tasting rooms and small-batch breweries, along with independent galleries and boutiques. The town also has a farmers market and live entertainment. Fall festivals fill out the season.
Only select fall weekends qualify, so plan ahead if you want a reset before the holidays. The announcement doesn’t list a price, so you’ll need to check with the inn for rates. And if you’re curious what Hair Combing actually involves, that’s worth asking too.