Room at the Inn: a sampling of Indiana winter getaways.

• Author: Tricker, Jennifer
• Position: Hotels & Resorts: Inn at Aberdeen

NEED A BREAK FROM the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Seeking a winter retreat for the whole family? Indiana has a wide selection of cozy inns and B&Bs for a little pampering and relaxation. Below is a sampling from around the state.

The Inn at Aberdeen, Valparaiso. The most popular package offered at the Inn at Aberdeen, Valparaiso, according to proprietor John Johnson, is the "Dinner & Romance," which includes an overnight stay at the inn plus a voucher that can be used at a number of local eateries, including the upscale Bistro 157.

The spa package is a close second and includes lodging for two, a visit to the Designer's Club Salon & Day Spa and dinner for two at a choice of restaurants. "If you want to get packed in mud or chocolate," says Johnson of the spa, "this is the place to go."

All rooms feature a Jacuzzi for two, and all but one have a fireplace. For breakfast, guests choose from fruit parfait, fresh breads and rolls or muffins, with Belgian waffles, French toast or Egg Strata as an entree. This is complemented by the inn's own fresh ground and brewed gourmet coffee or juice. "If they insist, they can have a bowl of cereal instead," Johnson says, "but I don't get too many takers on this one."

Guests are allowed free rein of the house including the library's stash of books, games and puzzles to enjoy by a warm fire. The solarium, which Johnson describes as a place "where the heavens have opened up," is especially favored by guests as a great place to start the day The warm sunlight on a cold winter morning offers a welcome retreat to read the newspaper with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea.

Great for families, the Alloway suite is the largest with a private balcony, oversized Jacuzzi, sofa bed, living room and kitchenette. Some families also opt for the Aberdeen suite with an adjoining room.

Oliver Inn, South Bend. From the moment you pull into its stately circular drive, the Oliver Inn in South Bend will gently nudge you back into the grandeur of another time. The elegant 1886 Victorian home is a treasured historic landmark.

Many who visit are history buffs, so it is understandable why Venera Monahan, co-owner, feels the most popular package is the "Three Mansions in One Trip." After an initial tour and history of the house, most people are intrigued enough to check out the other nearby landmarks in South Bend's downtown historic district, including the Studebaker Mansion next door, where you can use a $35 certificate...