8 Irresistible Sleepovers For Adults

Because kids shouldn't have all the fun.

Remember sleepovers? Spending the night away from home was an adventure when we were kids, but growing up doesn’t have to end the fun. Try an adult “sleepover” in a different city, or in an unusual place, like a cave or a treehouse, and let that inner child come back out to play. Most of these places welcome kids, too--real kids.

glamping

Firelight Camps, La Tourelle Resort and Spa

Photo by: Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

The Kitano Hotel, New York, N.Y.

Instead of buying a pricey airline ticket and flying for hours to Japan, check in at The Kitano Hotel New York for an authentic Japanese experience. This boutique hotel is the only Japanese-owned hotel in town. Book the 17th floor Tatami Suite, and choose from twin beds or futons. You’ll also find all-natural wood floors, Tatami mats and shoji (sliding doors) with rice-paper screens. You'll also have a soaking tub and separate washing area, as in a traditional Japanese bathroom. Soundproof windows let you overlook Park Avenue while muting noise from the streets, so your stay can be tranquil and refreshing. Dine at the hotel restaurant, Hakubai, on multi-course Kaiseki cuisine (once enjoyed by Japanese nobility), or visit the serene tea ceremony room.

Kitano Hotel

The Kitano Hotel New York, Tea Ceremony

Photo by: The Kitano Hotel New York

The Kitano Hotel New York

Shaker Village, Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Adult sleepovers can take you to a different era, as well as a different place. At Shaker Village, about 40 minutes from Lexington, guests explore the lifestyles of 19th-century Shakers. This 200-year-old village features 13 restored Shaker buildings and private cottages, complete with reproduction furniture and original hardwood floors. Because it's a working village, it also offers tours, talks, exhibits and activities, so you can learn about organic gardening, paddle a canoe or kayak in the nearby Kentucky River, go horseback riding, and more. At mealtimes, try tomato celery soup, corn pudding, fried chicken and other seasonal dishes made with fresh garden produce at The Trustees’ Table.

Shaker Village

Shaker Village

Photo by: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village

Shaker Village

Photo by: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Kokopelli’s Cave, Farmington, N.M.

Indulge your childhood fantasies of going underground at Kokopelli’s Cave, in northwestern New Mexico. This man-made, 1,700 square-foot cave is carved into the cliffs, giving you spectacular views of the La Plata River valley some 300-feet below. The cave itself lies 70 feet below the surface, and features the comforts of home, such as electricity, a complete kitchen, living room furniture and comfortable bedding. Inside the cave, the temperature stays a pleasant 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and the grotto-like bath has a waterfall shower and Jacuzzi. You’ll need to be physically fit to get here, since you’ll have to backpack in and navigate a sandstone path to the cave entrance.

Ever play cowboys and cowgirls? Try out your boots and spurs at the Double F River Ranch, a working cattle ranch near Fort Worth (if you want to--you don't really need them). Book a room in the 50-year-old farmhouse or in the safari tent, Sundancer on the Brazos, which is heated and air conditioned, and has a full bathroom, kitchenette and more. Although the ranch sits on 350 acres, you’re within 10 minutes of a golf course, shops and restaurants. Use your “sleepover” to go fishing or tubing, race a radio-controlled boat on Comanche Creek, soak in a wood-fired hot tub or just relax with a book and a cocktail.

glamping

Double F River Ranch Tent

Photo by: Double River Ranch

Double River Ranch

glamping

Double F River Ranch Tent

Photo by: Double River Ranch

Double River Ranch

USA Today once called the Thunderbird one of the 10 best retro hotels in the country. This “hippest hotel in Savannah” has a '60s vibe, thanks to groovy amenities like hot popcorn at check-in, complimentary Moon Pies on your pillow, vintage décor and grab-and-go Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast. Dogs can romp in the inn’s enclosed run and enjoy treats and bedding in rooms that are pet-friendly.  You can choose from one of 42 rooms where the couches and coffee tables are fun, Mad Men colors like bright red, bold yellow, and turquoise. Yes, the inn also has the modern stuff, like Wi-Fi and television, and the friendly staff is glad to point out local things to see and do.

Go glamping when you rent one of two tree house cabins on a gated property in the Finger Lakes Region. Both have private bathrooms with showers, and one has an upper deck overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake, while the other offers a balcony with scenic views. Air conditioning and heating keep you comfortable in the treehouses, and you’ll have a satellite TV and access to a communal kitchen with an oven, microwave and other features. After the sun goes down, sit around the fire pit on the beach or kick back on the big, lower deck and pretend you've left civilization and escaped to the woods.

treehouse cabins

Treehouse Cabins

Photo by: Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

Glamping isn’t just for the kid in you; combine it with a stay in the Finger Lakes wine country, and enjoy adult beverages at a sleepover at Firelight Camps. These luxury tents, located on the grounds of La Tourelle Resort and Spa, have hardwood floors, safari-inspired furnishings and private balconies. After a nap in a forest hammock or a hike into Buttermilk Falls State Park, you can unwind with a treatment at the spa or stroll through the surrounding vineyards. Of course, you can have a camp fire and s’mores before bedtime.

Firelight Camps, La Tourelle Resort and Spa

Firelight Camps, La Tourelle Resort & Spa

Photo by: Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

If you enjoy whimsy and fun, eclectic, fanciful places and things, a visit to The Inns of Aurora is in order.. Book a sleepover here in one of four delightful rooms where the hand-painted features are from MacKenzie-Childs, a brand known for its signature black and white patterns and its colorful tableware and décor. Take a short drive to MacKenzie-Childs' restored Victorian farmhouse for a free tour, where you’ll see antiques mixed into playful displays of its products. Tip: The Inns of Aurora are a great play to stay if you want to shop at MacKenzie-Childs' annual Barn Sale. The date is announced only a week or so in advance, to discourage shoppers from camping out for weeks (yes, really). Check the MacKenzie-Childs website for more information, but it's thought to be scheduled for this July.

The Inns of Aurora, Rowland House, MacKenzie-Childs Room

The Inns of Aurora, Rowland House, MacKenzie-Childs Room

Photo by: Walter Colley/The Inns of Aurora

Walter Colley/The Inns of Aurora

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