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For “Heading North” (season 4, episode 13), Weekends with Yankee visited Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont, an exclusive country resort steeped in romance and history. In a region as beautiful as New England, every escape has the potential to become something special, from an adventurous weekend of mountain camping to a sun-filled stay at an oceanfront cottage. If you’re dreaming of a truly indulgent experience, New England has plenty of those, too. Inspired by our visit to Twin Farms, here are eleven more New England luxury getaway destinations that all guarantee a memorably pampered experience.
Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont Photo Credit : Courtesy of Twin Farms
Think of Twin Farms as the ultimate all-inclusive country escape. Each room, suite, and freestanding cottage in this central Vermont resort comes with a wood-burning fireplace, museum-quality artwork, and a handcrafted Stave jigsaw puzzle for you to keep; some cottages also include a screened-in porch, natural-stone hot tub, or 18-foot-high cathedral windows. Farm-to-table gourmet meals are individually prepared, and activities on the resort’s 300 acres include everything from biking and boating in summer to skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Plus, there’s a luxurious spa on-site offering massages and facials.
With almost 360 degrees of ocean and river vistas from its perch on New Castle’s Great Island, Wentworth by the Sea is a grand hotel in every sense of the word. A longtime summer stopover for East Coast socialites and high-level politicos, the Wentworth boasts guest rooms that are awash in light and water views. The hotel spa offers full-body makeovers (will it be the couples’ massage, the chocolate peppermint body scrub, or both?), its two restaurants make for delectable dine-in options, and, for those who really want to splurge, the expansive Marina Suite ups the fancy ante with access to a private pool.
Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island Photo Credit : Courtesy of Ocean House
In a class all its own, Ocean House offers architectural splendor, Atlantic views, and a level of service that should be experienced by everyone who appreciates superlatives. Drinks on the veranda are the perfect entrée to this Gilded Age hotel, meticulously rebuilt to preserve as many original 1868 features as possible. You won’t want to leave, and the perks of staying include every imaginable amenity, from private beach to nature-inspired spa to indoor saltwater lap pool. Learn from chefs, play croquet or squash, hear live music, savor made-to-order mini doughnuts — every activity is destined to linger in your sense memory.
Set high atop a cliff of black volcanic boulders between York and the sandy beaches of Ogunquit, Cliff House has enjoyed an osprey’s-eye view of the ocean since opening in 1872. Recent renovations went beyond mere restoration to create a sleek contemporary hotel with every imaginable creature comfort and an ambitious spa for beauty and wellness treatments. All 226 rooms and suites come with private terraces and those same incomparable views that have been the resort’s calling card since Ulysses S. Grant was president.
Subtle changes make Connecticut’s most iconic luxury property a place to rediscover. Participate in such bespoke experiences as a cheese-making class at a family farm, or unwind in this 58-acre estate’s outdoor lounge areas. Staffers seem to almost intuit guests’ needs, delivering a poolside lunch or appearing with a snuggly wrap as soon as it gets chilly on the garden-view dining terrace. And it’s not unusual to have the world-class spa practically to yourself.
Winvian Farm in Morris, Connecticut Photo Credit : Winvian Farm
This over-the-top private resort had tongues wagging the minute it debuted in 2007. Its 18 lodging options are one-of-a-kind architectural gems that range from the Helicopter Cottage, which boasts a bar and entertainment center inside a fully restored 1968 helicopter, to the Treehouse Cottage, a two-story structure situated 32 feet off the ground, atop a tree. Winvian is a Relais & Chateaux property (as you’ll soon realize at dinner, a four-course feast), and it’s no surprise that it books out all cottages and the grounds for weddings in summer.
The village of Warren provides a classic Mad River Valley backdrop for this Relais & Chateaux gem, which offers nine sumptuous rooms and two suites. From the folk murals of the Calvin Coolidge Room to the antique sports gear of the Ski Suite, no two lodging options are alike, but most do have stunning custom fireplaces. Menus at the inn’s restaurant are built around locally sourced meats, produce, and cheeses.
Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire Photo Credit : Courtesy of Mountain View Grand
One of the grandest of the grand hotels that still dot the landscape of northern New England, this Victorian-era retreat has been generously updated for the 21st century. Relax in the infinity tub while soaking up White Mountain views, surrender to a hot-stone massage in the “tower spa,” or chip away at that handicap on the hotel golf course. However you choose to amuse yourself during the day, when evening comes be sure to grab a well-deserved drink on the sprawling veranda.
With rooms and villas evocatively furnished to transport guests to distant eras and places, plus exclusive amenities like butler-drawn aromatherapy baths, in-room spa services, and ocean-view fine dining, this Newport mansion turned boutique hotel has always over-delivered. In 2016, the Chanler added New England’s only fleet of Tokyobikes to its lineup of enticements. Specifically engineered by a small Japanese startup for leisurely city touring, they’re free for guests who want to pedal to area shops, restaurants, and sights with stylish ease.
A Berkshires country estate turned five-star hotel, Blantyre has seen its historic glamour polished to a high gloss under passionate new ownership (its principal buyer first fell in love with Blantyre on a visit more than three decades ago). A multimillion-dollar renovation in 2019 refreshed the decor and expanded the spa; new dining options include a French bistro and, for high-end fare, a formal dining room called the Conservatory. One thing that won’t change: guests being pampered like Gilded Age grandees.
See More:Where to Stay in the Berkshires for Every BudgetBoston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts Photo Credit : Boston Harbor Hotel
There are plenty of excellent reasons to spend the night here, but the most compelling might be the panoramic views of Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. From your spacious guest room — replete with Frette linens and done up in elegant shades of blue — you can watch yachts, ferries, and sailboats glide along, and even witness the drama of weather as it rolls in. In the summer, head down to the harborside restaurant and terrace for the popular “Summer in the City” outdoor entertainment series.
Just steps from the ski lifts, the Lodge at Spruce Peak sets a posh but down-to-earth standard for luxury lodgings. Rooms in the sprawling timber-frame structure complement creature comforts with hop-to-it service and homegrown touches … and if you’re lucky, someone might just slip you an invite to the subterranean Line House speakeasy for an evening of hobnobbing and custom cocktails.
