How to Create the Perfect Romantic Cabin Getaway
Does your relationship with your significant other need a pick me up? An escape from the busyness of life to a quiet place in nature may just be what you need. We aren’t relationship experts, but we have been married for almost thirty years and dated for over four before that, so we do know some things. Here’s how to create the perfect romantic cabin getaway!
Picture the Perfect Romantic Getaway
Every successful trip starts with a mental picture of what you want it to look like. Vague ideas of warm feelings, physical intimacy, and a crackling fire somewhere aren’t good enough. Do you want to have uninterrupted time to talk about your relationship, your family, or your future? Or do you just want to do something fun together after a long, tough spell? Whatever it is, let it guide when and where you pick your stay for your perfect romantic cabin getaway.
Pick a Date Together
While this seems obvious and easy, when both of you are busy, communication can be less than stellar. A surprise getaway may seem fun, but they are hard to execute. It’s better to plan elements of surprise within the trip, so don’t assume anything about your mate’s schedule and tell them you are planning a little romantic getaway. Then, sit down as a couple with your calendars and pick a date that works for you both.
Procure a Cabin
When you envisioned your romantic escape, did you picture a modern luxury cabin with sleek decor in the Smoky Mountains, a rustic log cabin with a stone fireplace in the woods, or a cozy cabin with a fully equipped kitchen and hot tub on a lake? What do you think your loved one would prefer? Where would they feel most comfortable? The perfect romantic cabin getaway starts with reserving a cabin that both of you would enjoy AND doesn’t require long travel.
Predict What They Want
Just as you should choose a cabin based on what you know your mate would want, think about all they might like to do and eat while on this little romantic adventure. Make a list of activities and meals they like, while noting which of those you also enjoy. In order to create the perfect romantic cabin getaway, you have to be willing to plan more heavily for their wishes over your own. If you aren’t confident you know what they’d want, ask.
Plot and Plan
Now that you have a date, a cabin, and a list of your beloved’s favs, now’s the time to plan the meals and activities. Decide which meals you will cook in, and which you will eat out based on what restaurants are in the area. You can research the cabin area’s restaurants online, or ask the owner of the cabin, if renting from a resort or private owner, as they most likely know what restaurants in their area are good. Based on the cabin and area amenities you find from the cabin’s website or other search, make a list of possible activities that line up with your partner’s preferences.
Put the Wheels in Motion
Now, take those preliminary lists and start your preparations. Any meals you plan to cook yourself, make a shopping list. Include your partner’s favorite special treats like gourmet chocolate, wine, and unique snacks. Look into hours of operation and ticket availability for activities. If necessary, ask your partner if they’d really like to do such and such before putting down any money.
Prepare Your Provisions
Go shopping for the items on your list online and/or at local stores with enough lead time to prepare stuff without your partner peeking, if you want there to be some elements of surprise. Let them know what you don’t want them to see or know about, and what you want them to help you prepare, to help create the perfect romantic cabin getaway. Any food prep that you can do beforehand, to make your meal prep easier at the cabin, is a good idea. However, if you don’t have time, don’t sweat it, a little cooking together in the kitchen, without life’s normal interruptions or demands, can be romantic, too.
Possible Meal
Pasta Pomodoro for Two
Here’s one of our favorite, super easy meals that you can make for your romantic cabin getaway! It makes enough for four, so you’ll have enough for leftovers :)
Ingredients:
1 16-24 oz. jar of your favorite pasta sauce, depending on how saucy you want it. We love Rao’s (You can get it here on Amazon, which throws a couple of pennies our way, or at most grocery stores. It is spendy, but sooo good)
6-8 oz. of penne or rotini pasta
1 small package of regular, turkey, or vegan pepperoni, or 1 cup of pre-cooked Italian sausage
8 oz. of shredded mozzarella cheese. If dairy free, we recommend Violife over Daiya
Parmesan cheese for topping, preferably the shredded kind, but grated from the green can works, too
Preparation:
Boil and drain the pasta. While the pasta is boiling, heat up the sauce in the microwave in a glass or ceramic baking dish. Pour the pasta into the baking dish and stir. Then sprinkle the cheese over the sauce. Place the pepperoni or sausage on the cheese evenly and overlapping if you want it meatier. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and then pop it in the oven on broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown and the pepperoni starts to get deliciously crispy. Enjoy with a small salad, maybe some green beans, and a glass of wine. Or beer. Or whatever tickles your fancy.
Pack
Once you purchase and prepare everything that you need, start packing. Anything that you don’t need before you leave and isn’t perishable can be packed and set aside. Make a list of what you need to pack last minute, like the toiletry items you use daily. Wrap any gifts you want to bring along. The more you do beforehand, the less stressful and smooth your departure will be. Leaving home is an underrated, but important, part of the trip because it affects the trip’s tone. So in order to create the perfect romantic cabin getaway, do not skip this step.
Proceed to the Cabin
The journey to your cabin destination is an important component of the perfect romantic getaway. If you or your partner is upset, frustrated, or stressed, things aren’t going to magically be better when you arrive. Make sure you plan the trip well so that you don’t get there starving and cranky. Have some of those unique favorite snacks and beverages handy. If the trip will go over a meal hour, plan a stop at a nice restaurant along the way. Listen to your favorite music together or an entertaining audible book. Time really speeds by when you listen to a good book! Check out this one that is funny and about saving a relationship HERE on Amazon (if you decide to buy it, we’ll get a small commission that doesn’t affect your price).
Provide an Itinerary
After you get to the cabin and unpack, give your significant other the list of things to do that you made earlier. Ask them if there’s anything they want to add or skip. If neither of you feels like doing anything outside of the cabin at that point, that’s fine! Sometimes you just want to chill, and you should definitely make time for just relaxing. However, before deciding not to do something out of the ordinary, ask yourselves if you will regret more not doing it than doing it. If your partner is more adventurous than you and wants to do something you’re not excited about doing, compromise by doing that adventurous thing for a set time limit in exchange for a quiet activity of your choice for a set time limit.
Pamper Each Other
It’s the little extra things that you don’t normally do that stick out when you create the perfect romantic cabin getaway. Some of these extras include: breakfast in bed, wine and chocolates in a bath or hot tub, a foot rub, or a couples massage. If you don’t want to pay a local massage therapist, consider taking turns massaging each other. A massage gun is a handy tool for giving a massage without tiring yourself out. We have the one similar to the cheaper version shown here on Amazon (where we get a small commission for the referral). It really does a great job on sore muscles!
Play
Whether it’s a game of darts at a local bar or game room of the resort, a board game in the cabin, or geocaching in the area, make time to do something silly and fun. Try not to get too competitive about it or that can take an uncomfortable turn. Consider a game of questions that sparks conversation like Would You Rather or BestSelf Intimacy cards. We’ve had some fun, and enlightening, conversations from games like these.
Photo journal
Make sure to take lots of pictures of your romantic cabin getaway! Sometimes the act of setting up a good photo can be a fun, or hilarious, activity in itself. Granted, if one of your goals is to disconnect from technology with this escape, then make sure to go old school and pack one of those disposable cameras, or this sweet camera, to replace your trusty phone. No photo is off limits on this weekend, so have fun :).
Positivity Please
While no photo has to be off limits, there are some things that should be. If you want to create the perfect romantic cabin getaway, you need to pass on negative emotions and comments. Deep conversation is good, and there may be hard things that come up, but how you talk about those things is important. If your talk starts to turn negative, take a step back and ask kind questions or let it go. Proving your point is not as important and mutual love and respect.
Pack Up
All good things must come to an end, but they don’t have to be stressful. Make sure you put everything you don’t need in the car well before check out time so you don’t have to do everything all at once and feel rushed to get out. Savor your last hours at the cabin and take those last pictures.
At Campfire Bay Resort, from fall to spring, you can check out as late as 5pm, if no one is checking in that day, so you can take your time packing up. If you haven’t ever done a romantic cabin getaway, or it’s time for another one, we welcome you to book a stay with us soon!
