New England escapes where leaving is optional.
By Kelly Chase
For some travelers, the perfect getaway isn’t about a jam-packed itinerary—it’s about arriving and never wanting to depart. From the Maine coastline to the Berkshires, New England has a collection of exceptional hotels and inns stocked with everything needed for a luxurious escape.
NEL chose these destinations that transform a simple stay into an unforgettable retreat, with thoughtfully designed, spacious suites, world-class amenities, and immersive experiences. Each of these locales has unique features such as:
- Sanctuary (Rooms that encourage relaxation)
- Cuisine (Culinary excellence just a few steps away)
- Hospitality (Service that makes guests feel welcome)
- Extracurricular (The fun stuff!)
Maine
Cliff House
591 Shore Road, Cape Neddick, Maine
Overlooking Maine’s rocky coastline is the Cliff House in Ogunquit. Here, guests will enjoy two restaurants, a café, two outdoor pools (one that stays heated in winter), a hot tub, a movie theater, a driving range, and daily activities that vary from organized games to classes with the hotel’s resident artist. The on-site spa is 9,000 square feet, complete with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Available treatments include massage, hydrotherapy, seasonal facials, and more.
The Signature Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Suite features two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a living room, all wrapped in a refreshing coastal design. The Weare Cottage is a standalone retreat with three bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area, and views of Bald Head Cliff from its multiple terraces.
When guests do decide to leave their rooms, there are plenty of dining options, including the Tiller, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and Nubb’s Lobster Shack, a more casual seafood spot. If the weather cools or changes, which is sure to happen in New England, the SeaGlobes at Nubb’s lets guests dine outside in temperature-controlled tents, complete with cozy blankets and Bluetooth speakers.
If guests want an adventure, they can book a special fishing or lobstering excursion. The Tiller prepares and serves the guests’ daily catch for dinner.
Hidden Pond
354 Goose Rocks Road, Kennebunkport, Maine
“Hidden Pond is a place where time slows down, and guests can truly relax without ever needing to leave,” says Jana Bissonnette, General Manager at Hidden Pond Resort. Located in beautiful Kennebunkport, Hidden Pond feels tucked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On-site, guests have access to three dining options, two heated pools, and yoga classes in the fitness studio.
The Cottages and Bungalows are standalone accommodations with fireplaces, screened porches, outdoor showers, and plenty of privacy. “Families love our one-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages, where kids can explore nature while parents unwind by the fireplace or on the screened porch,” says Bissonette. “The Hidden Pond bungalows are perfect for those who want a peaceful, private escape surrounded by trees.”
Guests can have takeout delivered directly to their cottages but will likely want to follow the tree-lined paths to the on-site dining options. Earth, the signature farm-to-table restaurant, has dishes made with fresh ingredients picked from the property’s gardens. For a casual meal, there’s lunch at Farm Bar, served poolside, and a seasonal food truck.
“For fun, there’s a balance of relaxation and recreation,” says Bissonnette, who mentions the Tree Spa, yoga, and pools. For adventure seekers, there are biking and hiking trails, guided nature walks, creative workshops, and lawn games for families. Golf carts and beach cruisers are available for exploring at one’s own pace. This year’s new dog-friendly accommodations allow the family pet to come along.
Massachusetts
Canyon Ranch
231 River Street, Lenox, Massachusetts
Canyon Ranch, an all-inclusive spa resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, is a 100,000-square-foot retreat that promises guests a deep dive into wellness. The recently renovated spa facilities feature two lounges, whirlpools, a cool-dip plunge pool, and a European-inspired steam room. Guests have access to personalized bodywork treatments, from Ayurvedic therapies and skin-care treatments to deep-tissue massages.
The resort’s larger suites have king or double beds, an adjoining living room, and two bathrooms. In the restaurant, Chef Julien Ardouin, who trained in two Michelin-star Parisian restaurants, offers tasty, healthy meals that are freshly prepared and free from additives. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Culinary Rebel is a cafe stocked with healthy sandwiches, smoothies, and more. The Demo Kitchen hosts hands-on culinary classes so guests can pick up pro tips during their stay.
With two climate-controlled pools, over 30 daily classes, from yoga to cycling, and various activities, Canyon Ranch offers something for everyone seeking relaxation, fitness, and wellness.
Wequasset
2173 Massachusetts Route 28, Harwich, Massachusetts
Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod provides room to roam—27 coastal acres, to be exact. “Guests can explore our picturesque grounds along charming brick pathways that wind through lush landscapes,” says Jamie McPhee, the resort’s experiential marketing manager. “But it’s not just the facilities that make Wequassett stand out; it’s the unique experiences we offer.” There are five restaurants, two outdoor heated pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and activities like sailing, fly-fishing, and beach bonfires.
The Round Cove Suite is over 1,000 square feet and features multiple bedroom configurations so guests can book a one-, two-, or three-bedroom. The suite has a gas fireplace, marble bath, a separate living room for entertaining, a half-bath for added convenience, and a large deck where guests dine al fresco while enjoying views of Round Cove.
Regarding dining, Wequasset has a variety of establishments, including the signature five-star restaurant Twenty-Eight Atlantic, run by executive chef James Hackney. Hackney partners with local fishermen and farmers to craft a menu that celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Other bars and restaurants include Outer Bar, Thoreau’s, LiBAYtion, The Verandas, and The Sill. Fun events like whimsical-themed teas, from Alice in Wonderland to SwifTea, and exclusive culinary events, such as Supper Club and Soirée on the Bay, are planned throughout the year.
Wequassett’s tennis courts and three pickleball courts are staffed by pros who offer group and private lessons and clinics for all skill levels. The kids will stay busy, too: The resort has a renowned children’s program with rotating themes, from coastal studies and scavenger hunts to culinary adventures.
Connecticut
Winvian
155 Alain White Road, Morris, Connecticut
Winvian is a Relais & Chateaux resort set on 113 acres in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. The property has 18 privately situated cottages and one one-bedroom suite, each with its own playful design. All are outfitted with fireplaces, sitting areas, porches, and amenities like oversized jetted tubs and rainfall steam showers. The Camping Cottage has indoor and outdoor fireplaces, the Artist Cottage has an attached artist’s studio, and the Music Cottage has a vibrant modern design.
The AAA Five Diamond award-winning restaurant, run by executive chef Chris Eddy, is a short walk away. Eddy’s menus feature ingredients grown on the resort’s three-acre farm and in its four greenhouses so that guests can enjoy seasonal flavors year-round. Maggie’s Tavern is a more casual option, where guests can cozy up to the bar for lunch, dinner, and drinks.
Winvian has a seasonal pool, an award-winning spa, and an on-site sauna. It also offers fun activities like stained glass workshops, fencing lessons, painting classes, and chocolate and wine tastings. If guests choose to venture out, each cottage comes with mountain bikes for exploring the surrounding woods and lakes.
New Hampshire
Pickering House
36 Ridge Road, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
When a historic property in downtown Wolfeboro was up for sale, residents Peter and Patty Cooke began to imagine the possibilities. Patty owns Wentworth Style, a renovation and construction firm, and has successfully transformed many historically sensitive buildings. Still, she and her husband, Peter, who worked in commercial real estate, had never run a hospitality business. Two years later the project was finished, and a few years after that, recognition poured in from some of the country’s prestigious travel magazines. “We built this based on what we want to see when we stay at a place: great service, great accommodations, great food,” says Patty. “We want our guests to be wowed.”
The inn has 10 spacious rooms, each with its own personality, plus a fireplace, heated bathroom floor, and upscale amenities. Guests can wake up to a gourmet breakfast at the Pickering Kitchen, and there are snack and refreshment stations throughout the inn. Another big attraction to the inn is the Pavilion restaurant run by Chef Chris Viaud, a James Beard Nominee. The culinary team also hosts dinner series in the barn connected to the inn. They do special dinners, cooking demonstrations, and other collaborations with chefs and distillers.
Rhode Island
Weekapaug
25 Spray Rock Road, Westerly, Rhode Island
The Weekapaug Inn is a Relais & Chateaux resort in Southern Rhode Island that overlooks Quonochontaug Pond. One of the main attractions is its proximity to the sandy shores of Weekapaug Beach. However, there are loads of activities in the summer months, including yoga and wellness classes, crafts, evening s’mores by fire pits, paddle boarding, kayaking, and boat excursions.
The inn was built in 1899 and rebuilt in 1939 after the 1938 hurricane. A 2012 renovation introduced modern-day luxuries while maintaining the inn’s vintage charm. There are 27 rooms available, including four suites. The Carriage House Suites are standalone one-bedroom units with kitchen, living, and dining areas, a soaking tub, and a furnished deck with views of the pond and salt marsh beyond. Pet-friendly accommodations are available if guests want to bring a furry friend (although there are weight restrictions on pups).
Guests can dress up for a fine-dining experience at the restaurant or choose a more relaxed meal at the bar. There are seasonal establishments like the Deck and the Bathhouse. The weekly barbecues and lobster boils have become a beloved tradition during the summertime.
The inn has shuffleboards, bocce courts, and a croquet lawn. In the summer, guests can enjoy the pool and the sandy beach. A stay at the inn also means access to sister properties for wine tastings, cooking classes at Ocean House’s Center for Wine and Culinary Arts, and spa treatments at Ocean and Harvest Spa.
Vermont
Twin Farms
452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard
Twin Farms is an all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux hotel in Barnard, Vermont. The farm spans nearly 300 acres of woods, meadows, and mountains. On the property, guests will find hiking and biking trails, and a nine-acre pond for swimming, fishing, and paddleboarding. In the winter, there is cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking.
Twenty unique accommodations are spread throughout the property, from treehouses to clapboard cottages. Each has a theme and offers fireplaces, outdoor space, and privacy. The Chalet has a hot tub on the screened-in porch and views of Mount Ascutney, and the Studio has two levels, vaulted ceilings, and a secluded deck with views of the wilderness.
All meals, drinks, and snacks are included. Vegetables, herbs, maple syrup, and honey are produced on the property’s farm, and most other items, such as meats and dairy, are sourced locally, so the dishes change with the seasons. Chef Nathan Rich prepares rotating tasting menus in the main dining room, and Twiggs is the casual alternative. Don’t feel like leaving your cottage? Guests can opt for room service and order meals, drinks, or snacks anytime, including pizza or freshly made popcorn. Another fun option is the hotel’s private picnics: Guests pick a spot on the property, and the hotel staff sets up a small feast and comes back to clear it.
The farm has a variety of fitness classes, from paddleboard yoga to one-on-one training sessions. There is a spa with facials and massages (although treatments are not included in the price). A one-mile hike takes guests to a labyrinth walk, where they will find a stone heart in the center. The Shou Sugi Ban House has a 104-degree saltwater pool wrapped in windows that capture the surrounding forest.
