New England > All New England > Specialty Lodging > Historic Hotels in New England

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.

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

Inn at Diamond Cove

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

Former fort still holds a special place in the buildings of this luxury island retreat

The Inn at Diamond Cove does more than celebrate its history — the island retreat has repurposed it. The captivating sanctuary was once the site of Fort McKinley, part of the nation’s coastal defense system toward the end of the 19th century. Today, its former barracks are now the inn; its post exchange is now a fitness room; the McKinley Grove, overlooking the cove, is now the site for breathtaking wedding ceremonies. Even the creative cocktails at the Lobby Bar + Cafe are named for the fort’s former batteries. One thing hasn’t changed, though: You still get to the island via boat, today a short scenic cruise from Portland, ME’s Old Port district. Inn amenities include bike and kayak rentals, a yoga studio, tennis courts, heated outdoor pool, game room and fire pit.

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.

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

Discover the Adair Country Inn during your trip up to the White Mountains for a memorable lodging experience that is rich in history. The scenic estate, with gardens originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers of NYC’s Central Park, sits on a lush 182 acres. Originally built in 1927, the Inn maintains the elegant charm of a bygone era, offering spacious rooms thoughtfully decorated with antiques, several with a featherbed and fireplace. Join guests or request a private tour with one of our knowledgeable staff to learn even more about the Adair’s notable history during your stay.

Front Garden View - Publick House Historic Inn - 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.

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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. Recently named a AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning hotel!

Visit our sister properties - Lord Camden Inn - Grand Harbor Inn

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

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.

Lang House on Main Street

360 Main Street Burlington, VT, 05401 Phone: 802-652-2500 Toll-Free: 877-919-9799

Burlington bed-and-breakfast inn honors its past while providing modern-day comfort

With its 11 guest rooms distinctively designed with antique and modern furnishings, the Lang House on Main Street honors its past, which began in 1881. The Queen Anne Victorian home was built for lumber businessman Frank Dudley, on land once owned by Ira Allen, the University of Vermont founder and legendary Vermont Green Mountain boy. Converted to a comfortable bed-and-breakfast in 2000, it still features some of the original design features like stained glass windows, gorgeous woodwork, soaring ceilings and plaster detailing. The two guest rooms in the 1851 Carriage House have simple woodwork and a cottage vibe. A sumptuous breakfast is served each morning at the inn, which is close to many Burlington, VT attractions, including the shops and restaurants of the bustling Church Street Marketplace.

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.

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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.

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.

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, ME 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.

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

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

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.