Nothing says charm quite like New England.
The region is warm and inviting, beckoning visitors from all over the country to make a trip to embrace crisp weather and that famous New England charm.
While the draw in the summer is a no-brainer (Think warm, sunny days with close proximity to the country’s best lobster rolls), the region’s allure is most inviting during fall and winter. Oversized fireplaces, leisurely meals and endless spa days with no agendas are no doubt the main attraction.
Still, today New England leads the way when it comes to understated luxury, continually delivering unforgettable travel experiences in the colder months when the crowds have subsided.
Here is our list of the must-visit luxury properties in New England this fall and winter.
Inn by the Sea
If you need your vitamin-sea fix in the colder months, head to the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, just minutes from the lively city of Portland. The family-friendly property has 62 guest rooms as well as one- and two-bedroom suites. While the hotel pool is a central fixture in the warmer months, come fall the property transitions to the colder weather with cozy seating, fire tables for small plates and cocktails paired with seasonal menus. The luxury spa also offers fall specials complete with treatments such as a pumpkin-infused changing-tides scrub, organic earth and sea facial, and hydrating aroma wrap.
The Beatrice
For those seeking a boutique hotel within a vibrant city, The Beatrice in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, is calling. The 47-room property celebrates the holidays all December long with a special la dolce vita holiday suite adorned in holiday décor — complete with a lit tree, decorating station, and treats and a wine flight from Bellini Providence and access to the Bellini Rooftop, the members-only club onsite. For those who love to snack, The Beatrice offers an amenity known as the snack attendant. Guests can fill out a survey before arrival based on their “snack sign” — sweet tooth, antipasti aficionado or snack fanatic.
The Mayflower Inn & Spa
The Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut, makes for an ideal fall or winter getaway. This newly renovated country retreat, now part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, draws crowds to its destination spa, The Well. Spanning 20,000 square feet and nestled in the hotel’s 58-acre property, The Well offers services including customized skin care and bodywork treatments that strengthen the mind-body connection, as well as expert-led classes that blend traditional and innovative approaches to mindful movement. A signature experience at The Well is The Integration Detox, which combines heat, full-body lymph drainage, movement and meditation to support detoxification and leave you feeling refreshed.
Greydon House Nantucket
Looking to check out of reality this winter? The Greydon House in Nantucket has you covered. One program allows people who check in for a stay longer than 14 days to leave their phone at the front desk and pick it up upon departure. While being off the grid, guests can partake in wellness retreats in partnership with Lavender Farm Wellness that include massages, private yoga, functional-medicine consultations, and juice and veggies cleanses.
The Wequassett Resort & Golf Club
This popular Cape Cod destination resort is now open year-round. The once seasonal property is opening its doors for the holiday season, complete with an enchanted winter-at-Wequassett experience. The Christmas-themed event will showcase 120 decorated Christmas trees, huts with hot cocoa, cookie making, and gingerbread-house building at Mrs. Claus’s Cottage. The property will also host special events including Broadway-themed weekends and packages in partnership with the jewelry company Sydney Evan that features a three-night stay in a suite, sea charm necklace, porcelain jewelry tray, private plane ride over Cape Cod, followed by a facial and massage for two.
Kennebunkport Captains Collection
Looking for a hotel alternative for larger groups? Check out the Kennebunkport Captains Collection in Maine, a grouping of four iconic captains’ homes just outside Kennebunkport’s Dock Square that opened in 2021. Each mansion varies in design but also shares resort amenities like breakfast, a sprawling lawn and 24-hour guest services. What’s best about these properties is that they are steeped in the tradition of the region’s seafaring families and showcase the ethos of the coastal Maine town.