My Five Favorite New England Inns

With the arrival of spring, my thoughts invariably turn to the dune-fringed coastline, wooded hills and idyllic villages of New England. As a British friend once remarked, "In July and August, I can't imagine why Americans would want to go anywhere else in the world."
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With the arrival of spring, my thoughts invariably turn to the dune-fringed coastline, wooded hills and idyllic villages of New England. As a British friend once remarked, "In July and August, I can't imagine why Americans would want to go anywhere else in the world."

For more summer travel recommendations, feel free to download a complimentary issue of the Hideaway Report. As always, I travel incognito and at my own expense in search of truly enchanting experiences.

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My Five Favorite New England Inns
The Wauwinet(01 of10)
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Ultimately, its location is what makes The Wauwinet so special. Set on a peninsula between Nantucket Bay and a surf-swept Atlantic beach, the inn is virtually surrounded by water, and the breeze never loses its sea-salt tang. © Wauwinet. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
The Wauwinet(02 of10)
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True, Wauwinet accommodations tend to be on the small side — Bayview Bedrooms #301, #302 and #303 on the third floor are the most desirable — but the public areas are inviting, and the seafood and New American cuisine in Topper’s restaurant are invariably delicious. © Wauwinet. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
Wheatleigh(03 of10)
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Given its Italianate grandeur, describing Wheatleigh as an “inn” is stretching the definition just a tad. But as there are just 19 rooms and suites, the designation is perhaps semi-justified. © Wheatleigh. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
Wheatleigh(04 of10)
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Located in Lenox, Massachusetts, and surrounded by 22 acres of parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Wheatleigh offers second-floor Junior Suites with balconies that afford memorable views of the wooded landscape. © Wheatleigh. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
Twin Farms(05 of10)
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Centered on a 1795 farmhouse that was Sinclair Lewis’ wedding gift to his wife, Dorothy, Twin Farms is a magical Vermont retreat with just 20 distinctive lodgings, surrounded by 300 acres of meadows and woodlands. © Twin Farms. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
Twin Farms(06 of10)
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Chef Ted Ask’s seasonal, locally sourced cuisine is deservedly renowned, as is the 30,000-bottle wine cellar at Twin Farms, which contains a collection of Bordeaux dating to 1810. © Twin Farms. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
The Pitcher Inn(07 of10)
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Set beside a stream in the charming Vermont village of Warren, The Pitcher Inn has just 11 distinctive accommodations (two of which are two-bedroom suites housed within a barn). © The Pitcher Inn. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
The Pitcher Inn(08 of10)
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My favorite rooms are “Lodge,” “Mountain,” “Trout” and “Ski,” but most feature antique furniture, woodburning fireplaces and Jacuzzi baths. © The Pitcher Inn. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
The White Barn Inn(09 of10)
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Just five minutes’ walk from the center of Kennebunkport, Maine, The White Barn Inn offers 26 rooms, suites and cottages with a thoroughly traditional ambience. (The 12 rooms in the Main House are the smallest, while the most lavish accommodations are provided by the recently renovated May’s Cottage.) © White Barn Inn. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.
The White Barn Inn(10 of10)
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While I appreciate the inn’s sophisticated comfort, the highlight of my numerous stays at The White Barn Inn has invariably been dinner in the justly acclaimed restaurant. There, chef Jonathan Cartwright presents specialties such as pan-seared day boat scallops with a Port wine reduction, and lobster with homemade fettuccine and cognac butter sauce. The accompanying 27-page wine list is superb. © White Barn Inn. Download a complimentary Hideaway Report.

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