Make a Glamorous Escape this Fall to 6 Luxury Travel Destinations

The arrival of the autumn season always fuels our wanderlust. The toughest decision? Where to go, and for how long. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a weekend escape or a true holiday, for a romantic vacation, or a family or adventure trip, we’ve got ideas on where to go: the best, most glamorous luxury travel destinations for the fall season this year.

Fall is a perfect season for luxury travel – the weather is temperate almost everywhere in the world, and the fall foliage can make for stunning scenery. Whether you’re looking for a rustic hideaway or a sophisticated city vacation, there are lots of great options. After talking with travel experts and well-traveled friends, we’ve curated a list of 5 of the best luxury travel escapes in the world for the Fall season. For even more ideas, have a look at our top picks for luxury travel in September, October and November. Our round-up of perfect weekend getaways just a short drive from New York City. And don’t forget about Shelter Island!

As the weather turns, many of us just want to get into warm clothes and cuddle up under a blanket. But fall is a great time to travel! And you won’t be alone. Over 60% of Americans said they plan to travel this fall, compared with 54 percent of respondents in 2021, according to TripAdvisor. Brian Hoyt, a spokesman for TripAdvisor, said, “Travel is not going to be one of those things that they pull back on. They’re still going to travel even knowing that they’re going to spend more than the year before.”

Whether you want to truly experience the peak of fall foliage or if bliss for you is an escape to somewhere warmer there are plenty of perfect fall luxury vacation destinations. Here are a few places, all over the world, for a marvelous fall excursion, even if its just for the weekend.

6  glamorous luxury travel destinations perfect for a getaway this fall

1. London

There’s never really a bad time to be in London, and we think autumn is one of the best. There are art fairs (Frieze London and Frieze Masters). New theater openings. Lovely fall foliage in the numerous parks across the city. And this fall, there are some marvelous new hotel openings.

For instance, for the first time since its inception in 1906, Britain’s iconic Old War Office in Whitehall will open its doors to the public in late September. Raffles London at The OWO will debut in the space with 120 rooms and suites and three fine dining restaurants. There will be a new Guerlain Spa and Pillar Wellbeing complex. In addition, there will be 85 private residences – and a collection of 9 independent eateries.

In mid-September, the new Peninsula Hotel London opens on Grosvenor Place in Belgravia. The long-awaited and newly-built property is situated near Hyde Park Corner and Wellington Arch, and just steps away from Kensington Gardens.  The hotel will feature 190  guest rooms and suites, a spa, and a retail arcade Among its bars and restaurants is the rooftop restaurant Brooklands, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi. And Canton Blue, headed by Cantonese chef Dicky To. The eatery is said to be inspired by a trading junk that sailed from Hong Kong.

Mayfair will see the arrival of 1 Hotel Mayfair on Berkeley Street, near Green Park. And the opening of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair – Hanover Square, the second London property from the luxury group. So whether you return to your beloved favorite hotel (for us, it’s the Beaumont in Mayfair) or try a hot new arrival, there are plenty of reasons to plan a trip across the pond this autumn.

2. Wine Country, South Africa

Many people will trek to wine country in northern California this fall. Or to the vineyards of France. But for something a little different, why not pay a visit to South Africa’s wine region?

Babylonstoren, the enchanting boutique farm hotel in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, is now home to four new luxury experiences. This fall we see the opening of a dedicated Coffee Roastery. A Gelato Room, featuring handcrafted, seasonally flavored gelato using milk from the farm’s own herd of water buffalo. The enhanced Garden Shop will showcase plants, bespoke tools, and an array of books. And the newly expanded Lekker Room – which takes its name from the word ‘tasty’ in Afrikaans – will now feature an in-house nut roaster, alongside homemade jams, spreads and pastries.

3. Capri

This summer saw the opening of Hotel La Palma in Capri, the first Oetker Collection Masterpiece Hotel in all of Italy. And the fall might be the best time to visit – the weather will still be balmy, and the crowds will be noticeably thinner. The original property, which first opened over 200 years ago, is now home to culinary offerings curated under the direction of Chef Gennaro Esposito, who helmed a 2-Michelin star restaurant in Naples for two decades. With a rooftop pool and restaurant, la dolce vita seems well within reach here.

4. New York

There’s always something new in Gotham – and since they write songs about the beauty of autumn in New York, why not visit and find out what the latest hot spot is?

There are an unusually high number of new luxury hotels in Manhattan this fall. Consider the Ritz Carlton in NoMad, which Conde Nast Traveller notes features “a José Andrés restaurant . . . a lobby with hand-blown Randy Zieber light fixtures and an arboretum’s worth of potted plants.”

Or hang with the cool kids on the Lower East Side at 9 Orchard, a 5-star property in the highly buzzed about Dimes Square. The Ned NoMad has taken over the space occupied previously by the NoMad hotel on Broadway in the Flatiron District, and the glamour quotient remains high. The property also doubles as a membership club, with the rooftop space reserved exclusively for members.

Finally, the legendary Parisian brand Fouquet has landed in Gotham with the new Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York in TriBeCa.

So many options . . . so little time. That’s always the issue with a trip to New York.

5. Scotland

For a very different kind of luxury, there is nothing quite like Autumn in Scotland. Stunning golden foliage, fresh seasonal produce, and mild temperatures to make spending time the great outdoors a pleasure. We love Edinburgh, and this is a lovely time to visit.

If the countryside is more your vibe, from September through November, guests at Gleneagles can discover the joys of field archery lessons by the banks of Laich Loch. Share an “owl experience” with one of Scotland’s native owls. Take an evening walk along the moors and woodlands. And view the galaxies against the dark sky in a Star Gazing class. The 850-acre property offers over 50 other activities in addition to these – including some “me time” at the spa.

6. Somerset, England

If you ask us, the perfect autumn has to include an apple orchard or two. So imagine our delight when we learned of the fun and quirky Somerset tradition of Apple Day. This year’s festivities are on October 21st and 22nd, and you can join in a refined, luxurious celebration of all things apple at boutique hotel The Newt in Somerset. From apple fête games to cider tastings to pressing your apple juice, this is a unique way to connect to local orchards and the great outdoors. The Newt also has an on-site beehive offering honey tastings. Let’s see, fresh-picked apples and local honey – all we need is yogurt and granola and we’re ready for the perfect breakfast. Learn more here.

best luxury travel destinations this fall

That’s our take on where to go this autumn: the best luxury travel destinations for a glamorous Fall season vacation escape, whether you’re seeking romantic time, family time or adventure. We hope this list has provided you with some inspiration – its time to book your stay, dear reader.