Luxury fall travel: 9 places to stay in the United States

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(CNN) — Upon arrival at the Old Edwards Inn in North Carolina, you'll be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne.

If you're tired from your travels, you can take it to your room, linger in the rainfall shower before you step onto the bathroom's heated marble floors and into a plush robe. But we recommend enjoying your bubbly in the garden, where you'll have stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains drenched in the reds and yellows of the season.

"Mother Nature breaks out all the stops for fall here," says Amanda Sullivan, the hotel's marketing director. "Even a leisurely drive or a simple trek through the forested trails is taken to a whole new level."

In many places throughout the United States, the next few months are a perfect time for an escape: The air is crisp, the crowds have thinned and mesmerizing colors abound.

There's no need to rough it while taking in the autumn leaves. If you'd like to enjoy a luxurious vacation this fall, here are nine hotels to consider.

1. Old Edwards Inn and Spa: Highlands, North Carolina

As cooler temperatures bring autumn leaves around the United States, there's no need to rough it. Here are nine hotels that celebrate fall in style.

This European-style property, which consists of a historical inn, upscale lodge and 25 cottages, sprawls across several acres in downtown Highlands, about two hours southwest of Asheville.

It's a seamless blend of historical and modern, with a wood-paneled library, antique furnishings and Old World décor alongside sinfully soft Frette linens. Upscale amenities include clay tennis courts, a challenging golf course, heated mineral pools and a farm-to-table restaurant with an award-winning wine list.

The spa is also a big draw, with saunas, steam rooms and a solarium. Some of the hotel rooms even adjoin the facility, so you'll never have to change out of that fluffy robe.

If you manage to tear yourself away from the hotel grounds, the area's hiking trails are a must in the fall. Or, visit during the Highlands Food and Wine Festival from November 9 to 12, where tickets to the main event ($100) will get you oysters, small plates, drinks and live music.

2. Lake Placid Lodge: Lake Placid, New York

For a quintessential fall experience, head straight to the Adirondacks, a protected area in northern New York that's bigger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Park combined.

Most striking from the water, this gorgeous stone and wood retreat is the only hotel located directly on the shores of Lake Placid. The entire property highlights the work of local artisans, and each of the 30 rooms and cabins are individually decorated in Adirondack style with comfy fabrics, hand-built beds and elaborate hand-laid fireplaces.

Its location allows easy access to boating, hiking and mountain biking, and every evening through mid-October, the lodge offers a free tour aboard its 35-foot mahogany Hacker-Craft or pontoon boat. If you visit October 7-8, you'll be able to...

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