Today on the blog I’m sharing all about my stay at Getaway House! Just an hour and a half from Boston, you too can “get away from it all” and stay in the tiny houses at Getaway House. This stay truly blew me away and it’s something I recommend any city dweller (or anyone!) do at least once. Make sure to keep reading for a special discount code for savings on your own stay!

When I first moved to the city five years ago, it used to scare me. You see, I grew up being surrounded by woods. We were lucky that trees surrounded our entire home. I grew up making forts in the woods with my brother and the neighbors, climbing trees (more like attempting to 😉 ), riding bikes, and building our own “bike jumps” complete with scrap wood and hammers and nails. I remember being a child and being awoken to the annoying sounds of crows cawing in the early hours. We would see deer, rabbits, owls, and woodpeckers to name just a few. It seems so simple looking back now.

My first year in the city and my first time ever living outside of the state of Maine, I lived just off Route 9 in Framingham for a year before living in Boston. If you live around Boston and know Route 9, then you know. I would hear cars at all hours – and horns weren’t infrequent. While laying in bed at night, lights would often flash by my window. I remember thinking how annoying it was to not have complete and utter darkness; that I couldn’t even really see the stars anymore compared to life in Maine. When looking up into the night sky, you’d be lucky to see a few because of the lights surrounding you. The slightest sounds would awaken me. I often felt on edge because of the noise and lights. Noise pollution as my dad would call it.

And yet flash forward five years, and I’ve become accustomed to those once “little annoyances.” The sounds and lights tell me that others are near and even when you’re alone, you somehow feel close to those around you even if you don’t exactly know them. The truth is, I’ve become accustomed to life as a “city girl.” The lights and noises have become a comfort. Now, when visiting home, I find myself on edge over the complete silence and total darkness. I find myself scared that there’s nothing surrounding me. I even had my mom put blinds on my childhood bedroom windows even though all that surrounds this room outside are trees. It’s funny how our “normal” can change. How something that once felt like home can become something different. If anything it shows our flexibility as humans. But it’s still funny to think about!

Because of my experience living in both places, it seems as though when I’m in the city, I long to be in the “country,” and yet when I’m home and nothing surrounds me, I long to be in the city where all of the action is. One thing I’m working on is being content in the present. Enjoying the exact seconds, minutes, and hours I’m in and not longing to be somewhere different, whether it’s my past or something in the future. I’m sure some of you struggle with this as well.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Getaway House which is just an hour and a half from Boston, an hour from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and is also an hour and a half from Portland, Maine. I don’t want to give away the exact city because that’s half the fun (you can Google it if you’re really curious), but it’s located in New Hampshire. Don’t worry, you find out the exact city it’s in before you book. There are also Getaway House locations just outside of NYC, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles. PS. Use the code BRUNCHONSUNDAY25 for $25 off your stay!

Getaway House: A Weekend Escape From Boston

So what exactly is Getaway House? Getaway House – also known as the “Tiny Houses” are cabins where you can truly get away from it all. Think of it as cabin but for those who may not consider themselves the camping type. You still have most of your current luxuries – electricity, a bathroom (including a shower), a stove top to cook on, heat/air conditioning, a really comfortable bed, and snacks – what Getaway House calls “provisions.”

You also get an ultra comfortable bed complete with sheets, pillows, and a light comforter. There are pots and pans, plates, glasses to drink out of, mugs, and even shampoo/conditioner, body wash in the shower. In fact, don’t pack your own because they are the large refillable types of bottles in the shower so you will have plenty of what you need.

Getaway House forces you to get back in touch with nature and to be in tune with the simple things in life. There is no WIFI, there’s limited cell phone service (depending on your carrier) and no tv! At first it sounds like a millennial nightmare, but then once you start embracing it, you realize how great it feels to be TRULY present for one of the first times you can probably ever remember.

Each cabin has it’s own campfire located just outside the cabin with fire wood, fire starting materials, and a lighter is located inside your cabin. Our first night we stopped at the grocery store just before getting there so that we could buy all the fixings to make hot dogs and sausage. So good and the type of thing I miss living in the city. We poured wine in mugs and bundled up next to the fire. So much fun.

FAQs About Getaway House

Is there heat?
This was one of my first concerns since we were going in the middle of December (aka it’s cold!). Yes, there is heat and air conditioning. Since it’s a tiny cabin, it heats up very quickly. We found that we didn’t really need the heat on during the day, but you’re free to choose and have control over the heat/AC via the thermostat. I highly recommend going during the winter. The snow covered back drop was the most beautiful view ever!

Is it similar to camping?
Sort of, but in my opinion, this is WAY better! There’s heat/air conditioning, hot water, electricity, a stove top to cook on, running water via a sink and shower, you have a toilet in your cabin, plus you have a mini fridge and they provide a selection of snacks (pay for what you use similar to a wet bar in a hotel) like s’mores ingredients, coffee grounds to make pour over coffee, cookies, pasta and marinara sauce, and so much more.

Did you feel creeped out in the woods/can you see right in other people’s cabins?
In my opinion, Getaway House has an awesome set up. You’re close enough to the other cabins that you don’t feel alone or scared and like you’re alone in the woods, but you’re also far enough away where you don’t feel like people are staring at you/you’re being watched. The “large window” of the cabins always faces a direction where people aren’t driving/able to stare at you so we didn’t feel weird about it. There’s also blinds for all windows!

Did you get cell phone reception / is there WIFI?
I hate to burst your bubble, but there’s no WIFI. But that’s kind of the point. The major goal of Getaway House is to get you away from it all; to encourage you to enjoy being present in the moment away from everything that causes stress. I have Verizon and I did get cell phone reception though! There’s also a phone in the cabin for emergencies. Do yourself a favor and just don’t check your email for one weekend. Your body will thank you 😉 .

How do you check in/check out?
The day of your check in, you’ll receive a text with your cabin name and your cabin key code. You do not need room keys or to physically meet someone to check in/check out. You get into the cabin based on the key code that is sent to you.

Is there a group stay option?
There are two person capacity cabins (where I stayed) and also cabins that can accommodate up to 4 people (and have bunk beds!). We kept saying that it would be even more fun with another couple, so if you have adventurous friends, DEFINITELY book together!

Is it good for kids?
I would reach out to Getaway House for their official opinion/rules about this, however, in my opinion, it would be great for kids ages 7-8 and above. Keep in mind that there is a 4 person occupancy maximum.

Anything special I should bring?
There’s nothing that really sticks out except games. We had a pack of cards already in our cabin, but if we were staying with other people, I would highly recommend bringing your favorite games like What Do You Meme, Cards Against Humanity, and any of your other favorite games. I recommend wine! It makes anything more fun. 😉 I also recommend bringing an extra throw just incase you decide you need it, however, you are provided with sheets, pillows, and a light comforter. Also, bring comfy clothes and fleece pullovers. Save the booties and heels for another weekend because you won’t need them here. I brought my slippers because I don’t go anywhere without them ha!!

What should I do in the area?
Should you decide to leave during the day, Portsmouth, New Hampshire is about an hour’s drive and makes the perfect day trip with lots of great restaurants. We made the trip and loved it. There’s also a brewery (Blasty Bough Brewing Company) located nearby, but we unfortunately didn’t get the chance to visit. If you want a unique and fun local experience, we went to Umami Café twice and it’s about 15-20 minutes from Getaway House. It’s very much a dive bar meets town hall type of situation but everything is homemade and made fresh to order. It’s not IG worthy in the slightest but sometimes those are the best and most memorable places. For my hometown people who read here, picture it like Myrtle Street but if they had a large restaurant! I had delicious Chicken Fried Rice one night and then had such a yummy breakfast the next morning. They also have great coffee (tons to pick from). There’s live music and you just get the feeling that you’re hanging out with your neighbors. It’s awesome!

Would you ever book a trip with Getaway House?! Luckily for you, I have a coupon code. Use the code BRUNCHONSUNDAY25 for $25 off your stay!

Full Disclosure: I was a welcomed guest of Getaway House. As always, all opinions are my own.