Accommodation · Hotels · Massachusetts · North America · Regions · Rhode Island · USA
Top 3 luxury properties in New England
England on the East Coast of the USA has never been more popular. Boston, New England’s gateway city, is served daily by a three international airlines from London, and with a flight time in the much more manageable time bracket of 7 hours, getting there is straightforward and simple.
New England offers a varied choice of accommodation, with much of the charm of the region lying in its historic inns, boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. They add subtle yet refined personal touches which make stays notable and homely.
I’ve stayed in simple rooms through to luxurious, refined country mansions in a number of the numerous villages scattered across the region. Offering unrivalled stays with owners who pride themselves on giving guests the very best New England experience, these are my favourite three luxury stays.
The Vanderbilt Grace, Newport
Built in 1909, this beautiful Newport mansion offers luxury accommodation tucked away on a quiet street. It’s just a couple of minutes from the bustling harbour and cobbled streets which are lined with boutiques and designer fashion stores.
The hotel has 33 rooms and suites each with their own layout. On my last visit, a spiral staircase in my suite lead up to a private entrance to the rooftop. From here the views overlooking the city’s colonial rooftops and whitewashed church spires were spectacular.
Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod
Another coastal property, this time overlooking the Atlantic, Chatham Bars Inn is one of the best known resorts in one of the smallest and in my mind, prettiest villages on Cape Cod. The style and design is classic and defines a “picture postcard” setting. The main building feels very grandiose and reminded me of the Great Gatsby with its expansive lounge, veranda and dining room, all boasting panoramic stunning views.
The resort has every facility you could want and offers boat trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. My room was in a characterful cottage which are found scattered across the grounds. With all the things to do, it could have felt busy and a bit overwhelming but the elegance found in the rooms and the amount of space around the property makes Chatham Bars a truly fantastic luxurious, relaxing stay.
The Wheatleigh, Lenox
Finally, the Wheatleigh in Lenox epitomises the Massachusetts’ Berkshire flair. Making your way up the drive of the main house, if not for the lack of vineyards, you’d be forgiven for thinking you might be in Florence. The 16th century Italian-style building, set in 22 acres of land and surrounded by lakes and mountains gave it a very rustic New England feel, deeply rooted in classic style and luxury. A quick dip in the outdoor heated pool makes for a very nice introduction to the scenery – stay here in the autumn and you will be surrounded by fiery coloured foliage that this region is so well-known for.
There are a range of things to do and see nearby that one should not miss, including the nearby ski resorts, which offer a whole host of activities year-round.
Craig Burkinshaw is a Founder Director of Audley Travel.
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With rich colonial heritage, a reputation for excellent dining and a varied and memorable scenic canvas, visiting the area of New Did you enjoy this article?
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