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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to cozy up with your beau than with a romantic rendezvous that doesn’t involve transferring to the E train, TSA or canceled flights?
New Yorkers got the memo, according to Airbnb research. They found that more people than ever before are opting for second home and short-term rentals that are within driving distance of home.
“We’re seeing a large increase in stays within 200 miles or less — which is essentially a tank of gas — with locals rediscovering everything new and romantic within their radius,” said Haven Thorn, a spokesperson for Airbnb, who noted that the platform is also orchestrating romantic experiences like a couples’ photo shoot in Minnewaska State Park (inset above).
To help you score a house for the hottest winter day of the year within Uber-ing distance from your decidedly unromantic studio apartment, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest love nests on the market right now.
Luxury Catskills Farmhouse, New York
If “gently cascading waterfall” sends romantic shivers down your spine, and if the words “built-in wood-fired pizza oven” warm your heart, then this luxury farmhouse nestled in Eldred, NY in the Catskills is sure to help you ignite that spark.
The five-bedroom, three-bath home (above), has massive floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at a secluded grove of pine trees.
Other features include a master suite with a plush, king-size bed, open beams with a fireplace, a bathroom with a hand-chiseled Italian marble basin from the 1700s and a veranda that overlooks a babbling brook.
The valiant Valentine’s Day farmhouse costs between $1,338 to $2,602 a night.
Zen Xcape lake house, New Jersey
What says Valentine’s Day getaway better than a hot tub nestled into an all-glass room overlooking a lake?
Zen Xcape, a private getaway in northern New Jersey that describes itself as having “the rustic charm of a contemporary American lake house, the simple elegance of an Asian-inspired spa and the stylish flair of a New York City loft.”
The three-bedroom home boasts panoramic water views, a five-burner stove and, who could forget, a solarium with a hot tub. The house is perched on Wawayanda Mountain and comes with breathtaking views.
This lakeside love nest will set you back $299 a night, on average.
Water Forest retreat, Connecticut
Love, like water, runs deep.
If getting down and dirty with nature, appeals, the Water Forest Retreat (right) in Norwich, Conn., is a great option. Cozy up in the “Octagon,” a grownup yurt that comes with not much more than a bed and a cozy electric fireplace.
Who needs television or Wi-Fi when you can stare into one another’s eyes and the driftwood chandelier with “fairy” lights, shells and crystals on the ceiling? The only catch is that the bathroom comes in the form of an outhouse. So, get ready for cold, dark encounters with the unknown wilderness if nature calls. The chance to have your partner’s undivided attention costs $120 a night.
High-flying treehouse, Connecticut
Relive adolescent make-out fantasies in this grownup Treehouse at Bluebird Farm in Willington, Conn.
Perched two stories above the ground, tickling maple and oak trees on this 40-acre farm and animal refuge, this one-bedroom, one-bath treehouse will win you over with its rustic-chic charm. Cozy up to the firepit or on the memory foam mattress.
Cooking a meal is probably out of the question, with a tiny kitchenette and not a lot of legroom, but enjoy the sprawling grounds, including a gazebo, country store and farm animals. Do note that no matter how much body heat you conjure with your lover, it may not cover the winter chill. The owners warn that the water lines tend to freeze and there’s no guarantee of heat.
The treehouse starts at $129 a night.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
If escaping New York — and the tri-state area — is priority No. 1, but international flights bring you down, here are two domestic options on the other sexy side of the country.
Love is like a rock, California
Rock-hard exterior and a soft, private interior — that’s what this mid-century California desert ranch offers. If you’re willing to hop a flight from the East, or if you live in the West, this unique and intrinsically romantic getaway is worth consideration.
In addition to stunning views of Joshua Tree Forest, the luxury two-bedroom, three-bath house comes with a hot tub, bar and vintage vinyl to help set the mood. To stay warm on those cold desert nights, if your love doesn’t heat the scene enough, enjoy the elegant, erect Malm fireplace on the property.
The boulder abode will set you back between $1,074 and $1,650 a night.
Amber fields of grain, Montana
If making love from the innermost workings of a Midwestern agricultural silo or harvesting grains fulfills a life-long fantasy, this home is the one. Even if cylindrical hunks of metal don’t immediately scream romantic getaway, these reclaimed metal silos in the big Montana skies are a unique, luxury getaway you won’t soon forget.
The “rustic meets modern”-style allows you to feel like you’re camping in Big Sky Country, but with the amenities you’ve come to expect with a luxury stay. The silos feature “camping-chic” interiors, exposed beams, mid-century furnishings and a loft king bedroom with high-quality cotton linens.
The chance to live like a sexy farmer will set you back more than a wave of grain, starting at $1,475 a night.
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