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The Best Luxury Resorts to Visit in New England

These best resorts in New England range from Gilded Age properties to grand estates.

Luxury resorts in New England exude a cozy and lavish ambiance amid the mountains, forests, and coastlines of the six states that comprise this region. Open seasonally or year-round, luxury New England inns or hotels reflect the charm of their waterfront or woodland surroundings. Some of these top-tier lodgings, dating back to the late 1800s, still evoke their grand yesteryears while catering to today’s travelers. Others are newcomers. Here are some of the best resorts in New England. 

With COVID-19, each state in New England lists COVID-19 updates, restrictions, and guidelines relating to travel on their state government websites, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is best to continue to read up on potential updates. If arriving internationally to the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists information on entry requirements on their website. As for your place of stay, check with the resort directly about their COVID-19-related protocol.



1 OF 19

White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection

WHERE: Kennebunk, Maine

This historic reimagined inn holds 27 guest accommodations, along with a swimming pool and a AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star restaurant with a focus on contemporary New England cuisine. Some guest rooms at White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection are inside the property’s original farmhouse or amid a garden setting, with suites containing gas fireplaces. A short distance from the inn, five waterfront cottages give guests a sense of privacy amid their cozy spaces. The luxury inn’s high-ranking spa provides treatments inspired by its coastal environment and some massages incorporate heated stones sourced from the Kennebunk River. Among other experiential outings, their Concierge can schedule a visit to Spring Creek Farm for seasonal ecology walks and horseback riding.

2 OF 19

Hidden Pond

WHERE: Kennebunkport, Maine

Hidden Pond is tucked away in 60 acres of pristine birch forest that gives off the feeling of a secluded wilderness hideaway. Choose to stay in either two-bedroom cottages, one-bedroom bungalows, or treetop lodges, with each having a unique interior design and styles and amenities such as outdoor rain showers. “The From Away Lodge,” a fashionable autumn Maine-inspired lodging, was created in partnership with menswear designer Todd Snyder; 20 luxe one-bedroom bungalows are influenced by Snyder’s trips to the coasts of Maine, via countryside, mountainside, and seaside.  Other features at this New England resort include a fitness studio, an adult-only pool and one family-friendly pool, two food and beverage spots, and two organic gardens. The Tree Spa has three treehouse-inspired treatment rooms eight feet above the ground. With dining, Earth is a farm-to-fork freshness restaurant. Keep busy at one of the best resorts in New England, with many recreational sports (think hiking, biking, and kayaking) and kid-friendly activities (movie nights and bonfires with s’mores).

3 OF 19

Cliff House Maine

WHERE: Cape Neddick, Maine

Dating back to 1872, this luxury New England coastal resort between Ogunquit and York has reopened after an extensive renovation, with the second phase completed in fall 2017. Cliff House Maine now holds 186 guestrooms and 40 luxury suites plus a standalone New England cottage. The views alone are noteworthy as the property is spread across 70 acres of oceanfront bliss atop Bald Head Cliff. Food and drink choices include a signature “farmer to fisherman” restaurant, a bar with regional beers and craft cocktails, a Bard Coffee Co. + Market, serving Bard Coffee, and Nubbs Lobster Shack, along with an over 9,000-square-foot oceanfront spa. Book some tee time at the adjacent Cape Neddick Country Club’s 10-hole semi-private golf course. Or head out further with a day trip to Portland or for shopping in downtown Kennebunkport.

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Twin Farms

WHERE: Barnard, Vermont

Rustic and refined, this adventure-driven Vermont retreat is set on the grounds of a 1795-era farmhouse once owned by Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis. With 20 accommodations, ranging from suites to private uniquely designed cottages, the luxury resort wins guests over with its all-inclusive rate that covers meals and activities, of which there are plenty. In fall 2022, Twiggs, a contemporary addition to the Main House, became the Farm’s first new dining option since its opening 30 years ago. In the summer, Twin Farms is in its optimal form with mountain biking excursions—complete with a box lunch to go for the ride—ax throwing, archery, canoeing and fly fishing. Recently, the property has more than doubled the number of picnic sites, set against the backdrop of the Green Mountains or lush vibrant forest, to allow guests to enjoy casual-style dining; a converted lift shack with a private deck is among them. The menu-less dining experience on the farm features fine local ingredients and inspired cocktail creations. Or head out on an activity such as playing tennis or pickleball or going on a picnic at one of the best resorts in New England.



5 OF 19

Woodstock Inn & Resort

WHERE: Woodstock, Vermont

The Woodstock Inn & Resort is one of the resorts built by business tycoon and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, who purchased this 18th-century inn in 1967. Since its reconstruction, the luxury New England resort has been expanded four times with revisions to its guest rooms and public spaces. These days, this central Vermont inn holds 142 guest rooms, adorned with local artwork and handcrafted furnishings, and two year-round and two seasonal restaurants. A LEED-certified spa offers rejuvenation through a hot tub soak, a plunge in an outdoor pool or a Scandinavian sauna, or reflecting within a four-season courtyard. Experience a lemon verbena hydration wrap and a citrus espresso detox involving a body scrub. Take in fresh mountain air through 12 tennis courts, an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing program, and trails groomed for alpine, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Or visit the Billings Farm & Museum, a half-mile down the road.

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The Essex Resort & Spa

WHERE: Essex, Vermont

Established in 1989, The Essex Resort & Spa was run by the New England Culinary Institute but would be rebranded two decades later. The culinary roots of this New England luxury resort remain through cooking classes and workshops offered for guests at their onsite Cook Academy, plus inspire the decor of the 120 guestrooms and suites. On the other side of the kitchen, the Tavern is a lowkey pub with an all-day menu and a curated tap list of many local beers. The Junction is more upscale but without being pretentious, with its open kitchen and changing menu depending upon what comes from its vegetable and herb gardens. The Spa at Essex provides tranquility with warm wood and natural stone surroundings plus day passes to their facilities. The resort is around a 20-minute drive to Burlington, where outings can range from a tour of the Ben & Jerry’s Factory to ski resorts such as Smugglers’ Notch.

7 OF 19

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina

WHERE: Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Situated between the Long Island Sound and Connecticut River, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina has quite the accommodations. A lighthouse suite makes for a place of your own amid the marina, with a living room, kitchenette, and dining room. Other options include 80 elegant guestrooms in the boutique property’s original inn, two luxury guesthouses, and seven vacation villas. Its restaurant, Fresh Salt, has indoor and outdoor dining with an upscale casual setting and sourcing from local farmers, fishermen, and food artisans; there’s also the Choo Choo Lounge on the lobby level. The spa has two saltwater pools along with treatments including a hydrating rose wrap. A shuttle service runs to and from Old Saybrook’s Amtrak station. It’s adjacent to Fort Saybrook Monument Park. Go shopping or dining along Old Saybrook’s Main Street, catch a performance at the The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, or wander around Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam.



8 OF 19

Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

WHERE: Washington, Connecticut

Once a late 1800s schoolhouse that was purchased by a former student in 1920 and converted into an inn, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection has 35 guest rooms spread across four buildings–the Mayflower House, the Speedwell Cottage, the Standish Cottage, and the Allerton Cottage. Guest rooms at this luxury New England resort reflect the idyllic vibe of New England country living with four-poster beds, and some suites have private balconies. Also, at this 58-acre estate, THE WELL at Mayflower Inn applies East-meets-West healing practices amid facials and body treatments, and fitness classes. The cuisine is just as rustic with Connecticut farm ingredients applied to Tap Room’s pub fare and the Garden Room’s indoor and outdoor fine dining.



9 OF 19

Winvian Farm

WHERE: Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

In Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, this 113-acre Relais & Chateaux property reflects the Nutmeg State with a 16th-century manor that is now a designer suite and 18 cottages – many recently updated – designed by 15 different architects who were commissioned to bring the latter to life with their versions of all things Connecticut and woodsy. Each cottage at this top New England resort has a unique theme, from rustic barn-like structures to whimsical lodgings such as a greenhouse, a Treehouse, and a restored 1968 Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican helicopter. Winvian Farm’s restaurant’s seed-to-fork menu is crafted through a working farm with three acres and four greenhouses supplying items 70 percent of the year. A second dining venue, Maggie’s Tavern, recently opened and provides a delicious casual menu with items also sourced on the farm. A 5,000-square-foot spa provides a farm-meets-urban oasis with body and facial treatments. Get some recreation via a heated swimming pool or onsite cross-country skiing and hiking or visit the neighboring 4,000-acre White Memorial Foundation park.

10 OF 19

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

WHERE: Newport, Rhode Island

Amid Newport’s historic mansions, off of the banks of the Easton Bay, The Chanler at Cliff Walk arguably has the best ocean views. Completed in 1873 as a summer retreat for Congressman John Winthrop Chanler and his wife, Margaret Astor Ward, this Gilded Age estate has become a luxe hotel and restaurant with 20 rooms designed to reflect different historical periods or themes. Their interiors mirror English Tudor, Victorian, Greek Revival, and Mediterranean styles. The restaurant Cara presents rotating tasting menus by Michelin-trained Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski and his culinary team. Seasonal dining includes a luxury yurt dinner, a wintertime hot chocolate bar, and picnics on the expansive Cliff Lawn during warm-weather months. Guests can make use of a complimentary Cadillac car service to go around town, a fantastic amenity for one of the best resorts in New England. Be sure to visit Newport’s historic mansions such as The Elms and Rosecliff. 



11 OF 19

Weekapaug Inn

WHERE: Weekapaug, Rhode Island

With sweeping views of the Quonochontaug Pond and beyond that the Atlantic Ocean, this family-friendly Weekapaug Inn originated in 1899. Reopened in 2012, the inn sports a red shingled, Cape Cod style, with 33 guest rooms, including four Signature Suites and two Carriage House Suites. Accommodations feature feather-top beds with Matouk linens, and the luxury of a complimentary pantry with snacks, coffee, and other items throughout the day. Enjoy New England coastal cuisine at The Restaurant or at the Bar’s bistro-style menu by the fireplace. Seasonal alfresco dining is also offered. Take an outdoor excursion with an in-house naturalist or water and land-based activities. Or venture offsite to the coastal town of Westerly or to attractions such as the Watch Hill Lighthouse.



12 OF 19

Ocean House

WHERE: Westerly, Rhode Island

Ocean House has a lengthy history on the shores of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, with this original Victorian gem dating back to 1868. Rebuilt from the ground up, the new Ocean House reopened in early 2010, poised to exceed expectations with its grand service and style. With 49 guestrooms and 20 signature suites, the beachfront property exudes New England luxury at every turn. The estate’s amenities include a private beach with butler service, croquet, and squash courts. Guests can have complimentary access to Mercedes-Benz vehicles for a spin through town, or onsite wine and cooking classes. Perhaps drive to see the Flying Horse Carousel, which is the oldest continuing operating one of its kind in the U.S., or Napatree Point or East Beach. The Bistro restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while The Coast operates Wednesday through Sunday for dinnertime. Its Secret Garden champagne bar with breakfast service in the summer and Gondola Village is a cool weather pop-up featuring French cuisine and Veuve Clicquot.



13 OF 19

Mills Falls at The Lake

WHERE: Meredith, New Hampshire

Amid the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Mills Falls at The Lake is made up of four distinctive inns. First, Church Landing has an Adirondack vibe with 70 designer guest rooms with lakefront balconies and cozy fireplaces, along with a fitness center, two indoor/outdoor pools, The Lakehouse Grille Restaurant, and Cascade Spa & Salon. It also has a mobile accessibility king-sized room. Aligning Meredith Bay, the Bay Point property has a contemporary nautical theme with 21 rooms with unobstructed lake views, and the LAGO Restaurant. The Chase House provides a cottage retreat with two suites and 21 rooms with lake views. Inside a resorted 19th-century linen mill and with a tumbling 40-foot waterfall, The Inn at Mill Falls has 54 rooms, can suit families with its indoor pool, and is adjacent to the Mills Falls Marketplace, with shops and eateries. Away from this luxury New England resort, Gunstock Mountain has ziplining and a mountain coaster with views of Lake Winnipesaukee, while the Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery hosts daily guided tastings.



14 OF 19

Wentworth by the Sea, a Marriott Hotel and Spa

WHERE: New Castle, New Hampshire

Along the island of New Castle, Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel and Spa was constructed in 1874 by the Campbell family. Yet the Victorian “wedding cake” looking building that guests see today was created by ale tycoon Frank Jones, starting in 1888. Once among many grand hotels in New Hampshire, the property welcomed significant guests throughout the 20th century.  In 1905, it hosted Russian and Japanese delegates negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War; over the decades, it would welcome Harry S. Truman, Gloria Swanson, Prince Charles, and other celebrities and dignitaries. Saved from demolition in the early eighties, Over 90 years later, the historic hotel reopened in 2003. Its 161 rooms are split up into doubles, bi-level Little Harbor Marina suites, and three Flag Officer Suites, one in each of the hotel’s Victorian towers. The SALT Kitchen & Bar is adorned with an original hand-painted ceiling mural; their seasonal Latitudes is a marina-side restaurant. Portsmouth is a short drive away, with its downtown having many shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the Strawbery Banke Museum.



15 OF 19

Omni Mount Washington Resort

WHERE: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Few resorts in the country can compare to the grand style of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, a landmark set amid New Hampshire’s White Mountains. It continues to be a luxury New England resort and family destination with an incredible roster of daily activities year-round. Including their 269-room Spanish Renaissance-style Omni Mount Washington Hotel, operating since 1902, and the Omni Bretton Arms Inn, a circa 1896 inn, the resort has introduced a Presidential Wing through a $90 million renovation and expansion project. The new wing holds 69 guestrooms and suites with mountain views from private balconies and opulent baths with soaking tubs. For signature treatments, their spa applies local alpine botanicals. There’s also a new main dining room at the main hotel and a seasonally-open observatory bar. Set amid its 800,000 acres, summer activities for all ages can involve mountain biking, guided hiking, fly fishing, and scenic gondola rides. During wintertime, the resort offers winter zip-lining, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, terrain parks, ski and snowboard schools, and ski groups. Or go offsite to Crawford Notch State Park or for a ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway.



16 OF 19

The Nantucket Hotel & Resort

WHERE: Nantucket, Massachusetts

With a rich history dating back to 1891, The Nantucket Hotel & Resort remains one of Nantucket Island’s oldest operating hotels. Having undergone a complete renovation in 2012, the property features 44 guest accommodations, and its Breeze restaurant prepares breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner servings of contemporary coastal cuisine. The hotel’s Nantucket Club provides guests and locals with a workout spot, including a hot tub, sauna, children’s program, and two seasonal outdoor pools, one for families and the other for adults. The hotel is located within easy walking distance from downtown shops and restaurants, Brant Point Light, Steps Beach, and Jetties Beach. Guests who arrive by ferry receive complimentary shuttle service to and from the hotel. Guests can enjoy antique fire truck rides around town. There are many events in spring, summer, and autumn, from April’s Daffodil Weekend to nightly s’mores from early July through the end of August. It’s also an easy walk to Downtown Nantucket and Children’s Beach.  Shuttles make runs to Jetties beach. 



17 OF 19

Canyon Ranch Lenox

WHERE: Lenox, Massachusetts

Opened in 1989, this Canyon Ranch location is described as an all-healthy and all-inclusive immersive New England luxury resort emphasizing transformative experiences. Set along 120 woodland acres in the Berkshires, with the 19th century Bellefontaine Mansion as its center point, Canyon Ranch Lenox hosts activities for every season. Think kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, forest bathing, and indoor and outdoor tennis. In 2022, its spa reopened with a new look inspired by its natural surroundings and with renovated community areas such as a cold dip pool and a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. At its Health & Performance Center, guests can meet with physicians, nutritionists, and other advisors relating to mind, body, and spirit. There are also classes on cooking healthy, along with chefs preparing fresh and seasonal specialties. After a workout or consultation, rest comfortably among one of the property’s 126 guest rooms within its hotel complex.



18 OF 19

Chatham Bars Inn

WHERE: Chatham, Massachusetts

On a quarter-mile private beach, the Chatham Bars Inn was originally a luxe hunting lodge for wealthy Bostonians in 1914. In the present day, amid a 25-acre property, this resort holds 217 rooms and suites in the historic Main Inn and surrounding cottages, with views of Chatham Harbor, the Atlantic Ocean, or the inn’s exquisite gardens. The spa has neat features such as a relaxation room, a Zen Garden, and an outdoor adults-only pool. Up top, 12 adults-only luxe spa suites hold oversized hydrotherapy tubs, saunas, steam showers, and fireplaces. Different restaurants round out the resort’s culinary aspect, from dining al fresco on the Veranda to STARS’ farm-to-table approach to modern coastal-inspired classics to Sacred Cod, an upscale tavern sourcing from the inn’s farm produce and regional fisheries to the summer favorite, Beach House Grill nestled on the sand and featuring classic fare such as clambakes, chowder, and lobster rolls. Guests can also experience all aspects of the Cape via private cabana rentals, complimentary bike rentals, three Har-Tru tennis courts, a six-wicket croquet court, boating, and Kids’ Crew daily programs. Or leisurely walk along a private quarter-mile beach with views of Aunt Lydia’s Cove. 



19 OF 19

Harbor View Hotel

WHERE: Edgartown, Massachusetts

Originally constructed in 1891, the Harbor View Hotel stands guard overlooking Edgartown Lighthouse and Chappaquiddick Island on the iconic corner of North Water Street and Starbuck Neck in one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most exclusive and historic residential neighborhoods. A complete renovation of the entire property was completed in 2021. The historic building holds true to its New England coastal charm; the chic Roxana building will make you feel like you have stepped into the stateroom of a private yacht or book one of the Captain’s Cottages, ideal for families or those seeking privacy. The Presidential Sky Wing offers a VIP experience unlike anything on the Cape and Islands, with configurations up to an expansive four-bedroom suite. Relax at an outdoor saltwater pool with cabanas available for rent and order from the Roxy Pool Bar. Bettini, a casual restaurant, follows an island farm-and-sea-to-table philosophy. Their Mercedes-Benz Drive program loans out these cars for use for up to three hours, or see the island by bike with their complementary complimentary bicycle rentals. Head into Edgartown Village for shopping, step onto Fullerton and Lighthouse beaches and visit the seasonally-open Edgartown Lighthouse.