Updated on August 4, 2015

Looking for a weekend escape to get out of town this summer?  Using Starwood SPG points?  Me too.

 

If you didn't make plans for the 4th of July, here's your chance to make up for it.

Here are 9 short and long weekend getaways that are planned for you.

Starwood, my favorite chain, doesn't have too many hotels in the rural areas near New York City but there are a few good options that are cheap (using points) and good jumping off points to all things outdoors.  Excluding the major cities, this covers virtually all the Starwood hotels in the rural northeast with easy access to the outdoors.  Why Starwood?  I try to stay there whenever possible because:

a) its my favorite chain – they treat their platinum members well!
b) I have lots of Starpoints, so a hotel room is free of very cheap
c) I would like to maintain platinum status for all the wonderful upgrades they provide.

Even if you plan to sleep in a tent some of the nights, or if you have a long drive, it might be worth driving up the part or all the way the night before and getting some sleep and getting an early start.

 

HOTELS INCLUDED IN THIS ARTICLE:

1) Four Points by Sheraton, Scranton, PA  (Poconos)
2) The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Manchester Village, Vermont
3) Sheraton Syracuse, Syracuse, New York
4) Four Points by Sheraton Manchester Airport, Manchester, New Hampshire
5) Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
6) Westin Portland Harborview, Portland, Maine
7) Four Points by Sheraton Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
8) Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center, Burlington, Vermont
9) Four Points by Sheraton Bangor Airport, Bangor, Maine

 

THE WEEKEND GETAWAYS:

Each getaway is organized by approximate driving time from New York City Midtown (zip code 10036).

 

3 hours drive or less

 

1) Four Points by Sheraton, Scranton , PA
Price: 3k pts vs $103 (Cash and points $35+2000 pts)
Distance: 2 hours 30 min (119 miles)
To do:  Everything outdoors is available as well as a racetrack and casino
Comments:  No need to go far.  This Four Points just opened May 2014, and is a little over 2 hours away, making it an easy weekend trip.  And its super cheap!  Only 3k points or $35+2000 points!

 

 

4 hours drive or less

 

2) The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Manchester Village, Vermont
Price: 16k pts vs $600 and up (Cash and points $110+6000 pts)
Distance: 3 hours 45 min (215 miles)
To do:  Surrounded by mountains.  Here are some summer activities in the area.  The hotel offers some interesting things to do in town like the Range Rover Driving experience, Orvis Shooting School, and Orvis Fly Fishing School.  There was a School of Falconry which has closed down (I regret not doing that last year when I was there).  Go hike Mount Equinox which is walking distance from the hotel then enjoy their spa/pool/gym when you get back.
Comments:  This one is not cheap at all but its a great property if you have extra points.  I wouldn’t pay the cash rate though.

 

3) Sheraton Syracuse, New York
Price: 7k pts vs $200+ (Cash and points $55+3500 pts)
Distance: 4 hours (250 miles)
To do:  Close to the finger lakes and lots and lots of outdoor activities.
Comments:  A nice combination of outdoor things and a fun college area.  You are getting 3 cents (paying full points) or 5 cents per point (cash and points) value!

4) Four Points by Sheraton Manchester Airport, Manchester, New Hampshire
Price: 3k points vs $132 (Cash and points $35+2k points)
Distance: 4 hours (241 miles)
To do:  On the way to several mountains and forests such as White Mountain National Forest.  Here are some state parks in the area.
Comments: Super cheap and a great value when using cash and points or even full points.  Stop here on the way to go hiking or use it as your base to explore on a multi-day trip.

 

 

5 hours drive or less

5) Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Price: 10k points vs $309 (or $75+5000 pts)
Distance: 4.5 hours (261 miles)
To do: Its a port town with lots of things to do including many outdoor activities.
Comments: Amazing value with cash and points- your points are worth over 5.5 cents each!

 

6) Westin Portland Harborview, Portland, Maine
Price: 10k points vs $409 (Cash and points $75+5k points)
Distance: 5 hours (311 miles)
To do: Hike 30 connected trails for over 50 miles.  Discover Portland.  Check out the foliage in the fall.
Comments:  Enjoy a port town with lots of outdoor options.  Using points will get you fantastic value for your points – almost 5 cents per point (using points only) or 7.5 cents per point if you can book using cash and points which was only available for weekend dates in May 2015.

 

 

7) Four Points by Sheraton Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Price: 10k points vs $346 (cash and points $75+5k points)
Distance: 5 hours (275 miles) (could easily be longer with holiday traffic)
To do: 25 free things, whalewatching, biking, lighthouses, Marthas Vinyard and Nantucket Islands and the ferry schedules to get you there.  You can even skip the traffic and take a ferry from NYC/NJ for only $240+ round trip per person!  Wow – the most expensive ferry I’ve ever seen!
Comments:  Amazing value using cash and points – you get ~6.5 cents value per point.  Even the full points rate gets you ~4 cents per point (with tax the room will cost you about $400). Surprisingly – there are cash and points rates available almost every day now through April 2015!

 

 

6 hours drive or less

8) Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center, Burlington, Vermont
Price: $275 or 7000 points (Cash and points – not many options for weekends)
Distance: 5 hours 30 minutes (300 miles)
To do: Next door to Lake Champlain, hiking, fishing, boating, 200 miles of lakeshore to enjoy, green mountains of Vermont, Tripadvisor’s top things to do, get a tour of Ben & Jerry’s factory
Comments:  A great value when using points – over 4 cents per point.

 

7 hours drive or less

9) Four Points by Sheraton Bangor Airport, Bangor, Maine
Price: $160 or 7000 points (Cash and points $55+3500 points)
Distance: 7 hours (440 miles)
To Do: Acadia National Park is close which I would love to visit.
Notes: This one is far.  If you want to visit Acadia, this may be a good option to stay for one night on the way or as a base to explore the area.  This would require an extended weekend to be worth it for me.

Ready to plan your trip?

Step 1: Decide how far you’re willing to drive and choose and book a hotel above
Step 2: Rent a car if you need one and if you use Avis use the Avis 3rd weekend night free coupon here
Step 3: Pack a bag and go enjoy the summer outdoors.

 

No Starwood spg points?  Click here for Starwood American Express offers.

I spent all this time researching these places so I think I might go away every weekend as a reward!  Where to start?  If you do decide to go, let me know which one you chose.