One of the more welcomed cultural side-effects of the pandemic is the widespread adoption of remote work. If the only job-related tool you need is a laptop, why not pack up the car and seek a change of scenery for a while? Read on for our selection of the best WFR (work from resort) destinations – all a drivable distance from New York City.
The outdoorsy town of Massanutten, Virginia, sprung up around a ski resort with year-round appeal. Situated in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, a scenic region which stretches for 200 miles across the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges, Massanutten offers visitors access to powdery ski slopes, hiking trails, river rafting, and wineries (in case you haven’t heard, Virginia has an underrated vino scene). When it comes to accommodations, Massanutten Resort is one of the best and largest in the area – 6,000 acres of ski runs, waterparks, golf courses, spas, and farm-to-table dining options vying for your post-workday attention.
On the banks of the Potomac River, just south of Washington DC, you’ll find Oxon Hill – a sweet suburb known for its vibrant waterfront boardwalk and giant ferris wheel. If you want to be able to dip into the sights and sounds of the capital before returning to the refuge of a resort, make The Wyndham National Harbor your base. Spend hours steeped in American history and modern politics, then come “home” for a dip in the pool, a massage at the spa, or a sunset walk along the river.
If you’re craving a horizon, consider the well-heeled coastal city of Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is a yachting hot spot during the summer, but the town shines in its off-season, too, with festivities popping up all through the holidays. Thoughtfully designed Club Wyndham Long Wharf comes with amenities to make your stay magical – including a heated outdoor pool and hot tub – and doesn’t look out of place alongside the opulent colonial architecture for which Newport is famous.
Club Wyndham Kingsgate is five minutes from the town of Williamsburg, the historic heart of Virginia. Delve into the past with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, then revel in the state’s modern attractions, from wineries to artesanal boutiques. If nature is what you’re craving, explore the city’s hiking/biking trails, including Powhatan Creek Trail, Historic Jamestown Bike Trail, and Freedom Park – all within easy reach of the resort.
Perhaps you don’t particularly want to leave the city, but you do want to leave your home for a while (productivity isn’t the easiest with so many domestic distractions around, is it?) Get some much needed headspace for that big work project with a staycation at Club Wyndham Midtown 45. When you need to downshift for the evening, treat yourself to a massage at the spa, hit the fitness center, or head to the outdoor lounge for a drink among the bright city lights.