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The 10 best hotels in the world for seeing fall foliage in 2026, ranked

From a Montana ranch spanning 2,000 acres to a Japanese onsen operating continuously for 1,300 years, the best hotels for watching fall foliage

Credit: The Shelbourne Hotel

10 of the best hotels for seeing fall foliage

Fall is arguably the best time to travel. In most places, the weather turns crisp, crowds thin out, and, most importantly, leaves shift into brilliant shades of red, orange, and amber. That combination makes a cozy spot worth seeking out for the kind of trip built around sitting back and watching it all unfold, less a tropical resort and more a moody, historic hotel with a sprawling lawn and a cozy bar.

The 10 hotels below appear on Lonely Planet, covering the best hotels for seeing fall foliage, with recommendations drawn from a range of contributors who have stayed at each property firsthand. They span four continents, from a centuries-old Dublin institution to a 1,300-year-old Japanese onsen and a Montana ranch spanning more than 2,000 acres, giving travelers a genuine range of settings for chasing peak color this year. Price points and atmospheres vary considerably too, from grand historic hotels that have hosted presidents and royalty to quieter, more remote cabins tucked deep into a forest, meaning the list works equally well for a milestone splurge or a low-key countryside escape.

History runs through much of this list, whether that means the Omni Homestead's role in hosting 24 U.S. presidents or Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan's status as the world's oldest operating hotel, run continuously by the same family for more than a millennium. Several properties also emphasize hands-on outdoor activity over passive scenery-watching, since Cameron House's seaplane excursions and The Meadows on Rock Creek's fly-fishing waders both let guests experience the surrounding foliage actively instead of simply admiring it from a window. Wellness and relaxation round out the list too, from Saint Anne's Spa's hydrotherapy pools to the private hot springs found at several of the more remote properties, giving travelers plenty of ways to unwind alongside the seasonal scenery, whether through movement or through stillness once the sun starts to set on another crisp autumn evening.

1. The Shelbourne warms Dublin evenings by a lobby fire

Credit: The Shelbourne Hotel

The legendary Horseshoe Bar at The Shelbourne ranks among the coziest spots to spend a fall evening in Dublin, housed within a sophisticated, historic property that has served as a mainstay for more than 200 years. Even travelers who can't secure a room should still stop by for a drink. Just across the street, Dublin's bright fall colors show off in hues of red and amber across St Stephen's Green, the city's most atmospheric park.

By day, the historic, tree-lined Georgian streets surrounding the Shelbourne invite a leisurely stroll, with vintage shopping spots such as Jenny Vander scattered nearby. By night, the city's many pubs offer plenty of options, though heading back to the Horseshoe Bar or curling up by the lobby fireplace both make for a fitting way to close out the day.

Travelers $TRV -0.49% hoping to soak in the full seasonal effect should time a visit to St Stephen's Green for the late afternoon, since the park's foliage tends to glow most vividly as the light softens before sunset.

Centuries-old prestige paired with genuine coziness sets The Shelbourne apart from more purely modern luxury hotels, since the Horseshoe Bar's atmosphere depends as much on decades of history as it does on the drinks themselves. Travelers hoping to shop vintage nearby should check opening hours before setting out, since several smaller boutiques around the hotel keep shorter, more limited schedules than the larger retail stores in the city center. This small check saves a wasted trip for anyone hoping to bring home a specific vintage find. It also leaves more time to browse without feeling rushed before the shops close for the evening. This small courtesy also helps shopkeepers plan their evening around expected foot traffic. It costs nothing to check ahead and prevents a wasted trip to a closed storefront. This courtesy call rarely takes more than a minute or two. It rarely disrupts the flow of an already relaxed afternoon walk.

2. Omni Homestead welcomes presidents amid peak color

Western Virginia's rugged mountains, sprawling farmland and charming towns make for a genuine fall lover's dream, particularly once autumn shades set in across the landscape. While a scenic train trip suits the season well, the ultimate getaway is the famously historic Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, built in 1892 and hosting 24 U.S. presidents over the decades.

Surrounded by the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains, leaf peeping runs best in early October, and guests can experience it through the resort's many activities, including biking trails, horseback riding, a top-ranked golf course, and the resort's signature warm spring pools.

This pairing of presidential history and considerable natural beauty sets the Omni Homestead apart from newer resorts built purely around amenities, since more than a century of hosted history adds genuine weight to a stay here beyond the mountain views alone.

Travelers $TRV -0.49% hoping to catch peak foliage should plan specifically around the first two weeks of October, since the surrounding mountains tend to hit their most vivid colors during that narrow window before leaves begin dropping. Golfers hoping to combine leaf peeping with a round on the resort's top-ranked course should book tee times well in advance, since the pairing of prime foliage and championship golf draws considerable demand during the same narrow October window. This early planning also helps golfers pair a preferred tee time with the best foliage-viewing hours. It also lets you build the whole trip........

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