Are you in the mood for an urban escape, a short getaway to relax and recharge? Head to the Opus Westchester, a luxury hotel by Marriott (the Autograph Collection) in the heart of White Plains’ downtown. The hotel, nestled between two residential glass towers is close to restaurants, stores and the shopping malls. It is also about half an hour away from several neighboring attractions and the Hudson River mansions.

The hotel is a destination in itself, a place where you can spend a lazy weekend, away from your daily routine. The hotel has a large fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and glass walls overlooking downtown and a green park. Next to the gym you can enjoy the hotel’s rooftop heated pool, the perfect place to swim a few laps or just lounge with a book on a chaise.

The hotel features 146 guestrooms including 38 luxury suites the rooms are large, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the downtown. Rooms are tastefully decorated with modern accents and lighting soffits, wall mounted TV screens. The supersized bathrooms are all marble and glass with double sinks, enclosed rain showers, separate WCs plush robes and slippers.

For dining, the hotel offers three venues: Kanopi, BLT Steak and the Opus Lounge

We loved the hotel’s Opus Lounge, located off the lobby, a space with cozy sitting areas where you can enjoy a la carte breakfast, cocktails in the afternoon and a well-designed menu with small but creative dishes ranging from Quinoa salad to Filet mignon medallions and macaroons.

If you stay longer than a day you can visit the neighboring Westchester and Hudson River attractions: The Westchester Mall, Bronx Zoo, Hudson River Museum, Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate, Lyndhurst, New York Botanical Garden, Van Cortlandt Manor,