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Historic & Grand Hotels in New England


New England has a deep and wonderfully varied history from the Pilgrims to the present. Much of that history is alive and on display at comfortable historic inns and Grand Hotels -- a few that have been welcoming travelers since before America was a country. If these walls could talk, they would tell stories of rich ship owners, farmers, or outdoor explorers who built hotels in the mountains and along the shores.

Looking for historic lodging in a specific state? Click here for:

Connecticut - Maine - Massachusetts
New Hampshire - Rhode Island - Vermont



Historic Lodging in New England
Summer Outdoor View - Inn at Diamond Cove - Portland, ME
Inn at Diamond Cove

22 McKinley Court Portland, ME, 04109 Phone: 207-805-9836

Island retreat a must for those seeking exceptional stays and a sense of history

History buffs are in for a treat when they stay at the Inn at Diamond Cove, just off the coast of Portland on Great Diamond Island. The luxury inn, with 22 elegantly appointed island condos and amenities from a heated outdoor pool to tennis courts, a hot tub and a yoga studio, is housed in the former barracks of Fort McKinley, part of the country’s coastal defense system during the Spanish-American War. It overlooks the former parade grounds. Before that, it was an artists’ retreat community, where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Harriet Beecher Stowe visited. The inn has been restored with careful attention to historic details, preserving its original character (You can dine in the delightful restaurant housed in the former quartermaster’s storehouse overlooking the cove).
Exterior View 500x250 - Watch Hill Inn - Westerly, RI
Watch Hill Inn

38-44 Bay Street Watch Hill, RI, 02891 Phone: 877-394-8903

Warm hospitality is still the watchword at this historic New England village inn

Iconic New England charm that has endured the test of time: You will find that and so much more at the elegant Watch Hill Inn, in the heart of bustling downtown Watch Hill village. The inn, established in 1845 by the son of the village’s first lighthouse-keeper, has played host to Henry Ford, Clark Gable, Andrew Mellon and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and today welcomes its guests with the same superior accommodations and warm hospitality. Meticulously renovated in 2006 and 2013, its 21 chic, suite-style accommodations feature stainless steel kitchens, spacious living areas and luxurious bedding as well as lovely water and village views. Guests enjoy continental breakfasts, evening wine-and-charcuterie gatherings and amenities in nearby sister including a pool, spa and private beach.

Visit our sister properties - Ocean House Resort - Weekapaug Inn
Room #5 with Fireplace 500x250 - Harbor Light Inn - Marblehead, MA
Harbor Light Inn

58 Washington Street Marblehead, MA, 01945 Phone: 781-631-2186

Architectural and decorative touches celebrate inn’s rich heritage

So much about the Harbor Light Inn takes you back to an earlier, more relaxed time: chandeliers, polished brasswork, hand carvings, the chimes of a mantel clock. In its guest rooms, some exposed beams date back to the early 19th century, and fireplaces (some traditional, some gas) harken back to the comfort to be had unwinding before a fire. When you stroll into town for shopping and dining, you’ll notice a variety of architectural styles (and colors!) in the houses, some of which go back to this seafaring town’s 17th century. A walk through Old Burial Hill provides not only a magnificent view of the harbor, Old Marblehead, MA and the sea but also the resting place of 600 Revolutionary War soldiers.
Fireplace & Billiards - Adair Country Inn & Restaurant - Bethlehem, NH
Adair Country Inn and Restaurant

80 Guider Lane Bethlehem, NH, 03574 Phone: 603-444-2600 Toll-Free: 888-444-2600

Renowned inn, a popular couples’ retreat, began a century ago as a wedding gift

At the Adair Country Inn & Restaurant, a serene couples’ retreat halfway between Boston and Montreal, history begins with a romantic gesture. The country estate was built in 1927 by Frank Hogan as a wedding gift to his only daughter, Dorothy Adair Hogan. Transformed over the years into one of the region’s most renowned country inns, it has hosted presidential hopefuls, Supreme Court justices, governors, senators, famous actors and sports figures. Visitors are inspired by its scenic Bethlehem, NH grounds, walking trails and colorful gardens, designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of the man who designed New York City’s Central Park. Today, its 11 stylish rooms, some with four-poster feather beds, or original furnishings, or deep soaking tubs, provide a haven for those seeking a respite from the stresses of modern life.
Sunset View - Hotel Viking - Newport, RI
Hotel Viking

One Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI, 02840 Phone: 401-847-3300 Toll-Free: 800-556-7126

Gilded Age romance meets modern luxury at this historic Newport hotel

When you step into the lobby of the Hotel Viking, you are stepping into history. The hotel, perched in the very geographic center of Newport, RI, amazed the public when it opened its doors nearly 100 years ago in 1926, and it continues to amaze guests who enjoy its sumptuous suites with touches that honor its past, from clawfoot tubs to marble fireplaces and rich, velvet tapestries. You can still see the original key boxes behind the front desk and the brass letterbox in the lobby. But the hotel, a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, has all the modern amenities that make a stay there memorable, from an on-site spa and indoor pool to a fabulous restaurant and rooftop bar with views of Narragansett Bay.
Colorful View 500x250 - Ocean House Resort - Watch Hill, RI
Ocean House Resort

1 Bluff Avenue Watch Hill, RI, 02891 Phone: Toll-Free: 877-346-9442

A century and a half after its opening, inn still the quintessential summer retreat for guests

When the Ocean House opened its doors to guests in 1868, it became, for them, the quintessential summer home by the sea. Generations came then, as they do today, to savor ocean breezes, superior service and comfortable accommodations. Today’s luxury inn, newly constructed in 2004, replicates the warm yellow exterior, and the welcoming hospitality, of its predecessor – but with so much more! Ocean House guests not only enjoy its private beach, with cabana service, but its world-class spa, croquet lawn, putting green, saltwater lap pool and fitness facility, fine dining and accommodations that have made it one of Forbes Magazine's "Most Luxurious Hotels & Spas", and one of the top 100 hotels in the world, according to Travel + Leisure readers.

Visit our sister properties - Weekapaug Inn - Watch Hill Inn
Entrance Couch - Hotel on North - Pittsfield, MA
Hotel on North

297 North Street Pittsfield, MA, 01201 Phone: 413-358-4741

Rich heritage and vibrant modern sensibilities make this boutique hotel a must when visiting the Berkshires

At the Hotel on North, they say that whispers of the past echo through the corridors. The hotel, a combination of two 19th-century buildings that used to house the legendary menswear and sporting goods emporium Besse-Clark©, honors its heritage with a birdcage elevator where you can sip cocktails, exposed brick walls that date back to the 1880s, tin ceilings, decorative columns and a few charming quirks you won’t find in modern buildings. Each of its 45 rooms is unique, featuring artwork and furnishings that reflect the work of Berkshire artists and artisans. Modern amenities include day passes to next door’s fitness center, lockers for ski equipment, delightful lounge areas and the popular Berkshire Palate restaurant, serving creative dishes for lunch and dinner.
Music Room - Rabbit Hill Inn - Waterford, VT
Rabbit Hill Inn

48 Lower Waterford Road Lower Waterford, VT, 05848 Phone: 802-748-5168

Luxury boutique inn honors its rich history of welcoming guests with warm hospitality

At the Rabbit Hill Inn, Vermont’s premier luxury boutique inn, there is a long history of providing warm hospitality to travelers. The inn opened in 1795, providing comfortable lodging and good food to tradesmen and loggers working on the Connecticut River. It expanded in the middle of the next century, adding the Federal-style parlor and sitting room still enjoyed by happy guests today. You’ll also find Chippendale sofas, hand-hewn beams and wide-plank floors in some of the inn’s rooms and suites. But while the inn honors its history, its modern amenities – spa tubs, fireplaces, private balconies overlooking the White Mountains and private sundecks – make it a true luxurious experience. And that includes candle-lit dining at the celebrated 24 Carrot restaurant.
We have availability for the eclipse, with special Moon cocktails, appetizers, and dinner.
Summer Front View 500x250 - The Griswold Inn - Essex, CT
The Griswold Inn

36 Main Street Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-1776

Longstanding heritage of hospitality at this Revolutionary War-era inn

The heritage of hospitality at the Griswold Inn began when the first visitors were welcomed in 1776 and proudly continues today with first-rate service, comfortable accommodations and fine dining. One of the oldest continuously operated inns in the United States, the Griswold, in a picturesque and historic seaport village, offers guests a choice of 34 unique rooms, furnished individually with antiques and period reproductions. The inn hosts an impressive collection of maritime art and illustrations as well as a collection of firearms used in the War of 1812. Guests can dine in the Tap Room, attached to the inn in 1801 after being rolled down Main Street by a team of oxen.
Westbrook Suite - Westbrook Inn B&B - Westbrook, CT
Westbrook Inn B&B

976 Boston Post Road Westbrook, CT, 06498 Phone: 860-399-4777

Vintage bed-and-breakfast inn a timeless classic for today’s travelers

Timeless, elegant and oh-so-welcoming: That sums up the essence of the Westbrook Inn Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1876 by a local sea captain as a gift to his daughter and her new husband, the inn also has been a boarding house and guest house. And it has never lost its atmosphere of romance and comfort, which guests will find in everything from vintage-inspired rooms and gorgeous gardens to delightful (and delicious) tea experiences the first Tuesday afternoon of each month. A complimentary gourmet hot breakfast is served in the vintage dining area each morning, to be enjoyed at individual tables in the garden room or on the fieldstone patio. Area activities include everything from steam train excursions and island cruises to biking, kayaking and strolling down to the beach.
Naulakha New Spring View - The Landmark Trust USA - Dummerston, VT
The Landmark Trust USA

707 Kipling Road Dummerston, VT, 05301 Phone: 802-254-6868

Historic homes, examples of a century of architectural styles, available for vacation rentals

Lovingly restored historic homes, representing a variety of architectural styles from 1802 to 1915, are offered to lucky vacationers by the Landmark Trust USA. The five Vermont properties are each distinctive, many with original furniture or decor or period pieces. Among the vacation rentals is Rudyard Kipling’s Naulakha, built for the author in 1892 and where you can sit at the desk where he penned “Captains Courageous,” “The Jungle Book” and parts of the “Just So Stories.” Kipling’s charming Carriage House is also available. On the picturesque and historic Scott Farm, visitors can stay in the cozy 1915 Sugarhouse or four-bedroom Dutton Farmhouse. The Amos Brown House, built in 1802, which retains much of its original detail, offers immediate access to hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing.
Publick House Historic Inn On the Common Exterior Sturbridge MA
Publick House Historic Inn On the Common

277 Main Street - Route 131 Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508-347-3313 Toll-Free: 800-782-5425

Gracious Sturbridge inn honors its 18th-century history, offers modern amenities

Don’t settle for the ordinary when you can have a truly revolutionary vacation. The Publick House Historic Inn, which has welcomed guests since 1771, honors its heritage with everything from the antiques and period reproductions in the original inn’s comfortable rooms and suites to the post-and-beam ceiling and wide plank floors held together by cast nails in the Historic Tap Room, the inn’s original dining room, where hearty comfort food is a specialty. Enjoy a drink by the fire at Ebenezer’s Tavern, with its vintage brass beer taps and rum barrels. Modern amenities at the lovely inn include an outdoor pool, a fitness room and spa. And you’ll want to visit the famous Bake Shoppe, with its irresistible pastries, fresh-baked breads and decadent desserts.
Waterfront Lodging 2019 - 16 Bay View Hotel - Camden, ME
16 Bay View

16 Bay View Street Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: 844-213-7990

See the stunning transformation of an industrial building into a boutique hotel steps from harbor

You’ll feel like a part of history when you stay at 16 Bay View. Located in the heart of bustling Camden, ME, just footsteps from its scenic harbor, the luxury hotel was transformed from a 100-year-old industrial brick building into a one-of-a-kind 21-room hotel. You can still see some of the exposed original brick in a select few suites, with massage tubs, double-sided gas fireplaces and harbor views. Travel back to a more relaxing time in the Vintage Room, to enjoy small plates and signature cocktails by the fire. Or head up to The View, Camden’s iconic rooftop bar and restaurant, with stunning water and park views. Accommodations come with an expansive continental breakfast and passes to the local YMCA, with an indoor pool and rock-climbing wall.

Visit our sister properties - Lord Camden Inn - Grand Harbor Inn
'Front of House I Love' - Inn at Tanglewood Hall - York Harbor, ME
Inn at Tanglewood Hall

611 York Street York Harbor, ME, 03911 Phone: 207-351-1075

Once a lumber baron’s summer cottage, this luxurious inn welcomes travelers seeking ideal seaside vacation

The romantic Inn at Tanglewood Hall has its origins in the 1880s, when it was built as a summer cottage for Chicago lumber baron Alexander Coburn Soper and his wife, Mollie Eliza Pope. The bed-and-breakfast inn, a York Historical Society Decorator Showcase in 1994, has been restored to its 19th-century grandeur, with six exquisite guest rooms, a wraparound veranda, grand staircase and gorgeous woodland gardens with whimsical fountains. Period antiques can be found both downstairs and in classic rooms and suites, all with gas or electric fireplaces, silky sheets and room to stretch out and plan your day on the nearby beach, in the seaside village or engaging in coastal activities from sea kayaking and harbor cruises to beachside arcades and concerts.
Front View of Thayers Inn - Littleton, NH
Thayers Inn

111 Main Street Littleton, NH, 03561 Phone: 603-444-6469

Many changes over the years at historic 1850 inn, but warm hospitality still remains

Plenty has changed since Thayers Inn, known at the time as Thayer’s White Mountain Hotel, opened its doors in 1850. But plenty has remained, too, including the inn’s renowned hospitality, first-class accommodations that now include family suites and kitchenettes, and its location close to the shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes and bars of friendly Littleton, NH. The historic inn’s slanted doors and crooked floors are testament to its heritage as a sought-after vacation spot for presidents (Grant, Pierce, Nixon, Carter and George H.W. Bush) and other famous visitors, including Bette Davis, Henry Ford and P.T. Barnum. The Greek Revival building is still the heart of the town, even if stagecoaches no longer bring guests from the train depot! It’s a short drive, now, to skiing, amusement parks and other activities.
We have availability for the eclipse.
Summer Exterior View - Stonehurst Manor - North Conway, NH
Stonehurst Manor

3351 White Mountain Highway North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-3113 Toll-Free: 800-525-9100

Tradition of elegance and glamour continues in this luxurious hotel in the mountains

Built as a summer estate in 1872 for the inventor of the power loom, the Stonehurst Manor continues that tradition of elegance – and idyllic escape – with luxurious lodging, superb dining and amenities that encourage visitors to both relax and enjoy the great White Mountains region. Rooms, suites and secluded condos offer a variety of comforting features, from fireplaces to whirlpool baths, opulent bedding and breathtaking mountain views. Breakfast and dinner in the Wild Rose Restaurant is complimentary, and the vintage Library Lounge beckons guests to enjoy a cocktail by the fire before dinner. There’s a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, life-size chess game in the landscaped lawn, gorgeous gardens and access to a network of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Exterior Sunset View - Weekapaug Inn - Westerly, RI
Weekapaug Inn

25 Spray Rock Road Westerly, RI, 02891 Phone: 877-394-8902

Hospitality amid scenic surroundings reflects this inn’s origins and earliest ideals

The aura of warm hospitality that surrounds the Weekapaug Inn comes to it naturally: It was a hallmark of the original 1899 inn. The Buffums family wanted to make their inn a welcome retreat for guests, rebuilding it in a secluded enclave by a salt pond after the 1938 hurricane. The inn was totally renovated in 2012 with an eye toward preserving its storied past while providing a host of modern amenities and activities from a lap pool and private beach to kayaking and nature walks. Each room is still unique in layout, furnishings and views, a tribute to earlier guests who requested their same rooms year after year. Each room also has been fitted with a vintage piece – a furnishing or textile – from the old inn.

Visit our sister properties - Ocean House Resort - Watch Hill Inn
Exterior Porch View 500x250 - Deerfield Inn - Deerfield, MA
Deerfield Inn

81 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA, 01342 Phone: 413-774-5587

Tradition of warm hospitality still greets visitors to this charming 24-room inn, built in 1884

When the Deerfield Inn opened its doors to guests in 1884, they came by stagecoach, carriage and horseback to enjoy the inn’s warm hospitality. Today, that tradition continues, with uniquely appointed rooms, most with period reproduction furniture and antiques, hearty meals served by a crackling fire in Champney’s restaurant and tavern, and a comfortable front porch with a ceiling still painted robin’s egg blue. The original hayloft door is still at the inn, the horse weathercock still turns and floors in the main inn still offer unexpected turns. Stroll down Main Street past gorgeous 18th- and 19th-century houses or get up close and personal to the historic town’s roots at the Flynt Center of Early American Life or Memorial Hall Museum.

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