Best New England Historic Inns | Criteria

How did we choose our “bests” from all of the notable 18th-century lodgings in New England for our feature story, Best New England Historic Inns? To start with, we used the following criteria: 1. Age. Had to be standing before 1799. 2. Comfort. We appreciate a bit of luxury with our history. 3. Historic ambience. The details and renovations still evoke the 18th century. 4. Food. The better the meals, the higher the rating (but we precluded inns that are primarily restaurants). The B&Bs we chose are handy to local dining; you can’t live on breakfast alone. 5. Setting. What you see around you is important. 6. Things to do. Seasonal celebrations, outdoor pursuits, and shopping, including open studios and craft fairs, are all considerations at this time of year. 7. Value. After foliage comes the low season, right up until Christmas week. We looked for substantial savings on rooms and meals and packages with nearby ski resorts and restaurants. 8. Hearths. Real wood fires are rare and fabulous, but gas and electric also count. 9. A storied past. We love hearing tales of an inn’s history and its place in local lore. 10. A nice library. Books, magazines, and DVDs all help guests downshift and stay put.