By Contributor,Wendy Altschuler

Copyright forbes

Whether you’re looking for a romantic couples’ retreat or a family-friendly getaway, a cabin stay is an ideal vacation.

Autumn, with its kaleidoscope of hues, crisp air, and pumpkin flavored lattes and treats, is just around the corner. Whether you’re craving an indoor haven, complete with wood burning fireplaces, ambient lighting, thick rugs and even thicker novels or you’re seeking an active getaway where you can go snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, or forest bathing in chillier temps, a cabin retreat will most certainly scratch the itch.

But how can you narrow down the plethora of choices and select a weekend in the woods that matches your particular tastes and panache? What amenities, “red flags”, architectural styles, or specific locales are important for you and your family to consider? Are you looking for a rustic or luxury cabin? Do you want to be alone-alone or have restaurants and shopping located nearby?

Keep reading to discover what questions you should be asking yourself when choosing the perfect cabin getaway for this fall.

Location, Location, Location

Whether you want something close to home, or you’re willing to travel far, you’ll appreciate a cabin getaway this season.

The very first decision you’ll need to make is where you want to go. Would you like a cabin getaway that is within driving distance or are you willing to book a flight and travel to the most ideal picturesque destination? You’ll likely have to take into consideration how much time you have to travel and whether you’re looking for a quick two or three-night stay or a week-long sojourn.

In the Wisconsin village of Kohler, for example, you can book a stay in a woodsy retreat next to the Sheboygan River in one of the well-designed properties in the Kohler Cabin Collection. The best part? You’ll have access to all of the wonderful amenities at the award-winning and oh-so-lovely The American Club should you decide that you’d like to indulge in a nice meal, spa treatment, or outdoor activity like ice skating or snowshoeing.

Size Matters

With so many shapes and sizes to consider, you’ll have to consider how many vacationers are in your crew before booking your stay.

You’ll have to deliberate on the cabin size when booking your retreat. How many overnighters will be in your crew? Would a bunk house with beds lining the walls be appropriate for the kids in your family? How many adults need their own room or en-suite bathroom? Will you be traveling with a multigenerational family and need rooms that are on the first floor for those with limited mobility?

A highly rated cabin stay, where you can choose from luxury accommodations of various sizes to suite your group, is Paws Up Montana. Not only will you be in a gorgeous destination, surrounded by forests of deliciously smelling Ponderosa Pines, Douglas firs, and Engelmann spruces, common in the Blackfoot River Valley, but also, you can choose from diverse activities like horseback riding and cattle drives, ATV tours, hiking, fly fishing, and so much more.

Luxury or Rugged—How Much Do You Want to Spend?

A cozy fireplace and room for everyone is a must when planning your fall cabin getaway.

Staying in affordable cabin lodgings has its own romantic charm in many cases. There’s also the ease of travel to consider when you have little kids in tow.

Many rustic cottages can be found on Airbnb or other well-vetted rental sources like Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway), a collection of tiny homes located in beautiful destinations across the country, which provide the perfect setting to connect with your family in a real way, without video games, laptops, iPads, or other modern distractions.

Have you always wanted to rest your head in remote backcountry accommodations, where you’ll enjoy easy access to the outdoors, yet you don’t want to really rough it?

Enter Eleven, curators of hyper-personalized guided outdoor adventures that utilize off-the-grid luxury lodgings in sought-after destinations including Iceland, France, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Bahamas, Colorado, and Alaska. Finally, you can have the big adventures that you’ve always dreamed of, ones you may even have to physically train for ahead of time, yet you can indulge in creative chef-driven meals, soak in a hot tub with a star and planet-filled sky for entertainment, and utilize the services of professional and highly capable guides.

Off-the-Grid or Fully Connected

Is it important to get some work done while on vacation or do you want a fully unplugged experience? Connectivity is something to consider.

Some may consider the lack of Wi-Fi or connectivity to be a “red flag”, something to be avoided at all costs. You’ll have to think about how disconnected you want to really be on your vacation. However, if there’s truly no access to the internet, you may want to consider this the ideal time to have a digital detox and truly lean in to hanging out with your loved ones.

If the cabin doesn’t already supply indoor activities like cards and board games, books, and music players, you may want to pack your own. Of course, it’s always a good idea to dress for the weather and plan on spending copious amounts of time in the outdoors, hiking, exploring, and sitting around the campfire with s’mores in hand (pro tip: a peanut butter cup is a perfect s’more addition).

Many of the properties in the Juniper Holiday & Home lineup have loads of activities for families and couples on hand like pool tables, outdoor grills, access to the lake or swimming pools, or nearby hiking and walking trails. You can be as fully connected or disconnected as you choose with so many activities and amenities on offer.

What to Pack for Your Family and Your Pets

As pets are a part of the family, it’s fun to bring them along for the adventure.

When booking your cabin accommodations, you’ll need to look at what amenities are offered so you know what to pack. Is there a swimming pool? Will laundry services be available? What dining options are on site or nearby? Does your rental have a fully stocked kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave? What is the terrain like—should you pack hiking or rain boots? Does your vacation home have linens and towels included?

Finally, if you’re bringing along your pets, you’ll need to check in advance to be sure they’re allowed, checking for weight requirements as well. Make sure you bring a comfy bed for them to sleep on, food and water bowls, treats, leashes and anything else that will help them be comfortable throughout the stay.

At the end of the day, the point is to connect with your loved ones, enjoy some time in the outdoors, and recuperate in a comfy cabin that offers just the right amount of amenities and comfort. If you do a bit of research beforehand, you’re more likely to have the experience that is just right for you.

Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions