march 2025

Dear Marlo,

Sometimes a quick getaway from reality is all we need to refresh and recharge, especially for those of us who've decided for reasons unknown to live in climates notorious for a winter trifecta of cold, dark, and snow. While the calendar may officially say spring, those in the Northeast know we're not there just yet. As such, this month, we highlight three very different escapes - all just a short road trip away - to help you get through these last few frosty weeks before reaching the promised land of summer, sun, and smiles!

If you do make it out for a visit, let us know by tagging @marlomarketing - after all, we can't VIP you if we don't know that you're there!

Forget all that nonsense about heading south (who needs pricey plane tickets, questionable tan lines, and frizzy hair, anyway?). Now, you can get your toasty getaway fix by going no further than Western Massachusetts. Nestled in the iconic Berkshires, Blue Vista Motor Lodge is the place to transition into spring with a Fahrenheit-raising “Florida-worthy” vacation that trades palm trees for mountain views and sweltering heat for steamy hot tubs (trust us, you won’t miss the humidity!).

Each stay at Blue Vista comes with access to two outdoor hot tubs - perfectly placed for peak mountain-gazing - plus a cedar sauna that’s guaranteed to make your muscles melt. Throw on a plush robe, grab a seat by the crackling outdoor firepits, pour a glass of robust red, and let the cozy vibes take away all memory of those winter blues.

An added bonus for all you culturistas, the lodge is just minutes away from world-class art at Mass MoCA and The Clark, as well as epic skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing at Berkshire East. That’s right, whether you’re visiting for culture, adventure, or just the après-anything scene (hi, have we met?), Blue Vista delivers the perfect winter escape - no sunscreen required.

So go ahead, book that “faux Florida” getaway you never knew you needed. Your muscles - and your wallet - will thank you!

Just because February is in the rearview doesn’t mean romance has to be. At Newport’s Castle Hill Inn, love is always in the air - especially with their “Retreat to Romance” package, designed for couples who appreciate the finer things in life as much as they do each other!

Start your swoon-worthy stay with sweet treats waiting in your room (pro tip: book a Beach Cottage for the kind of ocean views that’ll make your heart skip a beat). Then, let the relaxation begin with a couples massage at The Retreat at Castle Hill by Farmaesthetics - because nothing says “I love you” like de-stressing from life together.

When it’s time for dinner, Aurelia at Castle Hill - fresh off its Five Diamond AAA award - will treat you to an intimate six-course feast that’s basically a love letter in culinary form. And the indulgence doesn’t stop there - each morning, you’ll wake up to a gourmet breakfast (we highly reco the signature lobster hash), followed by Castle Hill’s exclusive afternoon tea, reserved exclusively for house guests.

If there were ever a perfect excuse to escape to Rhode Island’s most romantic spot, this is it. So go ahead, book that romantic getaway you’ve been putting off for way too long; you bring each other, and let Castle Hill Inn handle the rest.

As the season finally starts to loosen its grip on New England with warmer days (ok, slightly warmer days), there’s only one thing on our minds: maple syrup season! If you’re looking for the ultimate way to indulge in that liquid gold this spring, there’s no better place to visit than St. Johnsbury, Vermont—a.k.a. the “Maple Center of the World.”

Home to Maple Grove Farms of Vermont (the largest maple syrup packer in the U.S., for all you keeping score at home), this charming Northeast Kingdom town is a mecca for maple lovers. Tour the Maple Museum, learn about the syrup-making process, and - most importantly - taste the goods. But the real highlight? The annual Kingdom Maple Festival on Saturday, April 19. A can’t-miss celebration of Vermont’s sweetest tradition, expect a pancake breakfast dripping in fresh maple syrup, a street fair filled with maple-infused treats, and a Maple Menu Takeover that turns local restaurants into syrupy wonderlands.

So grab your brekky- and brunch-loving besties and meet us for the sweetest road trip to Vermont you’ll ever experience. We promise - your breakfast game will never be the same!