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Summer is over, but with the new season our desire to get away ends. Whether you’re chasing the fall foliage, looking for a romantic getaway, or taking the whole family on an adventure, fall has many perks for every traveler. This time of year is a low season for many places and often offers cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and cheaper accommodation and airfare. These five stays are at their best for the cooler months to come, offering more intimate and personal experiences as the summer crowds subside without a drain on your bank account.
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Snowpine Lodge – Alta, Utah
Winter sports enthusiasts around the world flock to the Utah mountains for skiing every winter, but between the summer flowering season and the start of the ski season in late November, fall is a great opportunity to see the landscape at its best.
Prices are already lower in the fall, going down to just $ 167 with the Fall Special in October and November, a 30% discount on any stay through November 18. On the other hand, peak season prices can go up to $ 2,999 for December stays just before Christmas, making fall a great time to get a deal.
Autumn leaves color the mountainside with great colors and cool, but not cold temperatures make the multitude of outdoor activities in the area even more pleasant. A brand new addition and less crowded than many of the luxury ski resorts in the area, Snowpine Lodge in Alta is, however, close to Snowbird and Alta and offers climbing, biking, cable car rides and hiking before the ski season starts. The Snowpine Lodge itself has a lot to offer with wonderful mountain views from every room, fine dining, a spa and a pool. The Snowpine Lodge offers luxurious mountain experiences for all groups, with stays ranging from luxury suites for the whole family to beautifully appointed dormitories for an adventurous stay with friends.
Aulani – Hawaii
While Hawaii doesn’t experience a true off-season, September through November has the lowest airfare and hotel prices of the year, in addition to the fall deals offered by many resorts. The fall offers here include a 25% discount on four nights or 30% discount on five or more nights through November 21. Average room rates during the peak holiday season in December average $ 900, while autumn rates average closer to $ 550 in October and November.
Located on a beautiful lagoon and white sandy beaches, The Aulani Resort & Spa is a family-friendly, luxury Oahu property offering great access to Honolulu and the natural beauty of Oahu, just 20 minutes from Honolulu Airport. Aulani has the best of Hawaii right at your doorstep, including spas, pools, gardens, lu’au, catamaran and horse excursions, and unique experiences like Disney characters and even a private swimming lagoon with thousands of tropical fish. If you’re looking to explore the island outside of your resort, fall is one of the best times of year to visit Hawaii as the high summer temperatures are cool but remain tropical. Surfing conditions become milder in the fall season, creating clearer and calmer water that is perfect for snorkeling, paddleboarding, or a first surf lesson. Hiking the island’s dozen of hiking trails also becomes more enjoyable in the cooler, drier fall climate.
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Gaige House + Ryokan – Sonoma County, California
The peak harvest season in Sonoma County can end in October, but fantastic stays, reduced crowds, fall foliage, and cooler temperatures are perfect reasons to travel to Sonoma County during the off-season wine-growing regions. Gaige House + Ryokan is offering an autumn “Escape & Explore” offer for a 20% discount on any stay between September 3rd and November 13th. Nightly rates in October and November are often below $ 300, while night rates during the peak harvest season in late summer can rise above $ 429.
One more reason to get away is Sonoma’s most unique luxury stay, the Gaige House + Ryokan in Glen Ellen. Gaige House is a secret retreat in a renovated 19th century house with a Japanese feel and ryokan-style amenities including private Zen gardens, outdoor patios, granite soaking tubs and traditional yukata to wear while relaxing. The luxury touches of Gaige House are everywhere from the moment you check in, including free breakfast, wine and cheese tastings, and nightly nightcap. From there, explore all that wine country has to offer in the fall, including wineries, fall foliage, and fresh local cuisine from the fall harvest. You might not want to stray too far from your suite at Gaige House, and if so, book a forest bath at Gaige House or visit the Sonoma Botanical Garden, Jack London State Park or the Bouverie Wildflower Preserve, which are just minutes from Your rooms are distant without braving the crowds in downtown Sonoma.
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The Ahwahnee – Yosemite
Built in 1927, the Ahwahnee Hotel is the only luxury accommodation in Yosemite National Park, and although it is the off-season, staying here in the fall is one of the best ways to experience the enchanting beauty of Yosemite. Off-season nightly rates are often around $ 100 cheaper, with even greater savings compared to popular holidays.
The hotel’s classic style, beamed architecture, grand fireplaces, and rich history are complemented by the quieter and more serene feelings of autumn when park goers, temperatures, and prices drop. Fall foliage peaks in Yosemite from mid-October to mid-November, making the Ahwahnee Hotel a great base camp to experience beautiful fall foliage, including the oak grove, a little later in the year than more popular travel destinations, with fewer crowds and better deals.
Four Seasons – Austin, Texas
In the spring and late summer, crowds flock in search of Austin’s special kind of cool herd, but as the crowds subside and temperatures get cooler, pleasant days and cozy evenings make Austin a popular spot even during the fall months. Just keep an eye out for dates around South by Southwest (this year, as the prices and crowds are high). Autumn guests can enjoy a 20% discount on stays between now and December 31st. Rates for stays in October and November are as low as $ 795, even before the 20% deal, while room rates go up to $ 995 and higher during the winter holidays and peak spring and summer season.
A must for anyone visiting Austin is the more than one million strong flock of bats that soar from under the Congress Bridge in the evening from March to October. For an even more special experience, book a night bat cruise to see the bats from the Colorado River with Lone Star Riverboats. There’s no better place to experience Austin’s cool than downtown, and the Four Seasons Austin is an oasis in the heart of it all. The Four Seasons in Austin offers luxurious amenities such as a saltwater pool, on-demand margaritas (just press the margarita button on your room phone), lake views, water sports rentals and guides, and fine Texan cuisine. The whole family can stay overnight with ease with kid services like welcome gifts, child-safe items, babysitting services and on-site pet care.
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Last updated: October 21, 2021
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With eight years of experience in personal finance at GOBankingRates, Jaime Catmull has built an extensive network of financial influencers and experts. Now she is using this network to find out how to live your best financial life and grow your wealth.
