Friday, May 18, 2007

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For a truly extravagant fantasy getaway where imagination meets indulgence, reserve one of the 18 stunning private cottages at the Winvian Resort in Morris, Connecticut. Located on 113 beautiful acres of forest and fields in the Litchfield Hills, about two and a half hours from New York City, this sprawling luxury resort was built by heirs to the Merrill Lynch fortune. The grand main house features a restaurant, a bar, and a spa that are exclusive to guests. The cottages are set apart on their own secluded lots and each are whimsically and impeccably designed by a different architect and appointed with the finest of amenities.

Choose an enchanting night 35 feet above the forest floor in your very own grown-up treehouse, a two-story suspended structure that sways gently in the wind. Treat yourselves like royalty in the Mark Twain inspired “King Arthur’s Court,” which features a majestic herringbone fireplace and a bathroom of granite slabs that resemble Stonehenge. For a true flight of fancy, enjoy chilled champagne and a romantic simulated ride over the New England countryside in a restored 1968 Sikorsky Sea King helicopter housed in your own private hanger.

The sky’s the limit at this elite playground, and that goes for the prices as well. Cottages at the Winvian start at $1450 a night for a couple, including all meals, full bar, and unlimited use of all of the resort’s facilities—including the spa. Still, even if you stay only a single night, it’s sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget. Their website alone is worth exploring to see which cottage style fits the two of you best. You may find that you need to plan a few more nights at the Winvian after all. Just think of the money you’ll save on airfare, even if you decide to take the chopper.