Regional Roundup: Gorgeous Boutique Hotels To Try Throughout The Northeast

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Hey again everyone! I am so excited to highlight our next regional roundup of stunning boutique hotels. As I mentioned in the Southeastern Regional Roundup post (you can read about those features HERE!), I absolutely love finding ways to blend together design, hospitality and travel. Having first discovered this love in design school, I soon found a passion for ways that I could celebrate boutique hotels who sought to combine gorgeous aesthetics,  local treasures and warm hospitality to become a home away from home for the excited, but potentially weary, traveler. A well designed environment can have such a profound impact on our wellbeing, even beyond what we consciously realize and so frequently, people take vacations to recover and explore. By providing a beautiful and restorative environment, boutique hotels provide an opportunity for travelers to experience local culture while gaining much needed rest. To me, a great stay can be the launching point for a most engaging vacation experience that will leave the heart and soul much refreshed.

As my last post highlighted lovely hotels throughout the Southeast, I thought it was only appropriate to next turn our attention to the Northeast as I begin to want an escape from the intense summer heat. Whether you are hoping to find a great spot to explore fall foliage or you want to squeeze in one more vacation before school begins, I hope these 10 gorgeous boutique hotels will inspire you to explore the Northeastern portion of our country as much as they have inspired me.

The George 

Set in the heart of Montclair, New Jersey, The George is a boutique hotel gem only 12 miles west of New York City featuring 31 rooms. Originally built as a private home in 1902, The George was transformed into a boutique hotel in 2012 by husband-wife team, Steven Plofker and Bobbi Brown. This hotel features various breakfast selections, a well equipped gym, complimentary wine in their library, as well as restaurant recommendations and offerings to make your stay even more enjoyable. The modern furnishings, Union Jack touches and exposed brick walls balance with the historical Georgian paneling and molding details throughout the hotel. Whether you are touring the portraits of various famous people named “George”, enjoying a morning coffee or lounging in the library, The George will provide you a lovely stay. 

The Claremont Hotel

For a quieter retreat, check out The Claremont Hotel located in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Offering a wide variety of amenities ranging from a swimming pool, spa and several onsite restaurants to yoga, boat tours, and a croquet court, The Claremont Hotel has everything you need for a relaxing getaway. Similarly, they offer several types of accommodations perfect for couples, families and friends including their main historic hotel, ocean view cottages, woodland view cabins and signature houses. Each space is beautifully crafted with delicate patterned textiles, rich wood tones and both moody and airy color palettes that blend coastal and mountain vibes. Decorated within the true grand millennial style, The Claremont Hotel is historic, fresh and beautiful while offering local experiences of both the Atlantic Ocean and Acadia National Park.

The Ludlow 

Nestled into the Lower East Side, The Ludlow Hotel oozes with eclectic New York personality. This 184 room boutique hotel blends eclectic glam with industrial chic vibes in such a way that they have been noticed by Vogue, Conde Nast Traveler and Monocle. Offering an onsite restaurant, The Dirty French, private dining rooms, a Garden Patio and large lounge spaces, The Ludlow provides a unique take on experiencing NYC with spaces to intermix with the hustle and bustle while also providing a calm retreat from a skyrise terrace. The large black glass paned windows and steel arched supports in the Garden Patio provide an industrial flair to the Ludlow, while the mosaic tiled bathrooms, brass accents, beamed ceilings and soft textiles ease any harsh lines. Overall, this boutique hotel offers a gorgeous backdrop to experience New York City like a local.

The Kennebunkport Captains Collection

While the Kennebunkport Captains Collection is not your typical boutique hotel in that it is owned by the regional Lark Hotels Group, it does exude local Maine charm. Located in Kennebunkport, Maine, The Kennebunkport Captains Collection (KCC) is a collection of four historic Maine homes (William Jefferds House, James Fairfield House, Acton Patterson House, and Nathaniel Lord Mansion) previously owned by local sea captains of Captain Daniel Walker’s family. Unified into one entity in 2021, this boutique hotel village features 45 rooms throughout the homes. Filled with the history and character of this Maine seaport, each home offers a unique aesthetic while breakfast, a drawing room, gardens and spa treatments are available at the Nathaniel Lord Mansion. Original art, working fireplaces, historic character and eclectic finds make this boutique hotel the perfect place for a Maine retreat.

Castle Hill Inn 

For another oceanside retreat, check out Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island. After serving as a private home, impromptu naval officer base and summer hotel, the Castle Hill Inn now is a year round haven of charm and grace. A part of the Relais & Chateaux family, Castle Hill Inn  consists of 40 acres that allow for bike riding, nature tours, fishing demonstrations, astronomer led beach bonfires, yoga, yacht rentals and so much more.  Each of their rooms and cottages are designed in the quaint New England coastal style that leans in heavily to the white beamed ceilings and bead board walls,  dreamy cedar shake siding and crisp nautical color palettes. This boutique hotel most certainly offers an old-world experience of the New England coast. 

The Merchant

Originally designed by Samuel McIntire and built in the 1780’s as home to Joshua Ward, a sea merchant and privateer, The Merchant is nestled into the heart of Salem, Massachusetts. In its day, Salem was the New England hub of oriental trade, creating an extremely wealthy city. It is this history, with all its twists (George Washington stayed in this house), turns (they say there are ghosts in the area) and mysteries (the Salem Witch Trials), that feeds The Merchant and creates for an eclectic and dynamic boutique hotel. Rich paneling, bold colors and  fun patterns now adorn this historic treasure. A daily breakfast offers the perfect start for a day of exploration, while the private baths with heated floors beckon guests back to retire after a long day. The Merchant definitely marries history with modern luxury into one exciting experience.

GrayBarns

Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, GrayBarns boutique hotel sits proudly on the Silvermine River. Once a functioning grist mill, an artist outpost, a stagecoach stop, a textile factory, a speakeasy and later a tavern,  this boutique hotel is rich with history and beauty that has evolved over the years. After being bought by the Glazer Group in 2015, the GrayBarns grounds now boast the Silvermine Inn, The Tavern, Barn, Mercantile, GrayGoods shop, fitness studio, fly fishing guides, spa, yoga and many lovely acres to immerse yourself into a quiet retreat. Outfitted with 6 king suites within the Inn and several studio apartments for short or long term stays within the Mercantile building, GrayBarns boutique hotel has a contemporary rustic aesthetic with beam features, reclaimed wood floors, luxurious velvet upholstery and a soft natural color palette. Set only about an hour from NYC, this boutique hotel provides an idyllic countryside experience, while maintaining the modern comforts and aesthetics for a relaxing vacation.

Block Island Beach House

Set on Block Island, Rhode Island, the Block Island Beach House boutique hotel is a treasure to find. With the only beachfront hotel rooms on the island, the Block Island Beach House allows for an oceanside vintage experience. Composed of two locations, The Surf (built in 1873) and The Gables (formerly The Gables Inn), this boutique hotel offers an onsite restaurant, beach bar, pool, rentable Polaroid cameras, complimentary beach chairs, and much more to facilitate your dreamy New England island adventure. While The Surf rooms have a more vintage eclectic beach vibe with spool beds, antique surfboards and vintage rugs, The Gables rooms have a light and airy aesthetic with grass cloth wallpapered ceilings, lush drapery and dynamic light fixtures. Each space provides a modern look at beach days gone by while still allowing for an attractive and laid back environment for visitors both now and in the future.

Edson Hill

For another quiet retreat, check out Edson Hill in Stowe, Vermont. Set on 38 picturesque acres, this boutique hotel features 22 guest rooms and has earned numerous awards from Trip Advisor, Diners Choice, Gold Barn Honor etc. Just a few minutes outside of Stowe (known for their great winter sports!), Edson Hill Country Inn offers hillside cottages, main guest rooms, a pool, onsite restaurant, fishing ponds, horse barns, and a large network of trails for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing or fat biking. Whether you are coming for a weekend or a week, in summer or winter,  you will be sure to enjoy the large fireplaces, wood accents and cozy color palettes that adorn each space at Edson Hill.

Blind Tiger Guest House

Last, but certainly not least, is the Blind Tiger Guest House set within Portland, Maine. Originally built as a private home of Joseph Holt Ingraham in 1823 but later turned into a private speakeasy, private school, rectory and church office, this Federal style mansion offers not only a touch of history, but also panoramic views from it’s rooftop cupola. While the Blind Tiger no longer functions as a speakeasy, it does feature a billiard room in the lower levels that used to house the cellar. Similarly, the design of the Blind Tiger is a modern historical take that blends rich colors, antique furniture, modern light fixtures and mid century touches into a cohesive and dynamic environment. With such rich history and attractive design, the Blind Tiger should definitely be added to your list of places to stay. 

Final Thoughts

Wow! What a list of gorgeous retreats throughout the North East. While there certainly were many more options I wish I could have added, these 10 boutique hotels were some of my favorites in the ways that they married design, hospitality and travel. If you have had the privilege of trying one of these lovely options before, what were your thoughts on your stay? They definitely have inspired me for my future adventures and I hope one day I will be able to enjoy warm coffee on crisp days full of autumn leaves exploring New England, its boutique hotels and all that it has to offer. 

Happy traveling!

Chloe

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