Guests can discover affordable luxury at select New England hotels.
It’s been said that “luxury comes at a cost.” That may be so, but some New England hotels are bucking the trend by offering a luxurious experience for $300 per night or less. Guests of the following hotels can expect the red carpet treatment from the moment they arrive by an attentive staff whose professionalism often goes beyond the call of duty, along with upscale accommodations and fine dining.
Rooms feature hardwood floors and gas burning fireplaces.
Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
An elegant beach front resort, Inn by the Sea captures the imagination of discerning travelers from the moment they arrive. Beach suite guest rooms offer privacy paired with water views, outdoor patios and decks, along with large gathering rooms with hardwood floors and gas burning fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens and king-sized bedrooms. Guests enjoy a mile of unspoiled sand beach, ocean views, the fireplace lounge with creative craft cocktails and local spirits, captivating regional cuisine in ocean View Sea Glass restaurant, a full service SPA with sea inspired treatments along with close proximity to the shopping, sporting and cultural activities of Portland’s urban chic small port city. Nightly smores are also popular at the Inn’s outdoor campfire. Other outdoor activities include walking the beach, visiting the nearby lighthouses, discovering the many wooded trails in the adjacent State Park or enjoying the Cliff Walks at Portland Head Light or Two Lights State Park on the edge of the sea.
The Inn’s Sea Glass restaurant has panoramic ocean views from inside the intimate setting, or guests may enjoy craft cocktails and small plates at fire tables on the seaside outdoor deck. Guests may opt for meals next to the fire in the fireplace lounge. Regionally-sourced menus are skillfully created by Chef David Brown with a concept of food for all. Chef Brown focuses on seasonality and quality of ingredients, with a clean, uncluttered cooking style featuring recipes that support the natural flavors of the food. The Inn’s deep wine cellar includes 350 labels and over 2,000 bottles that pair well with creative menus. The Inn has won the WIne Spectator’s Award of Excellence for many years.
Traditional rooms and garden suites are available for under $300 all winter. However, until early spring from Sunday through Thursday, guests are invited to tender a donation of $35 to Habitat for Humanity and receive half off the regular rate which brings the cost well below $300 for a traditional room and below $300 for loft suites and garden suites.
Guests are treated to casual warmth and contemporary comforts.
Hotel Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
With an average room rate of $199, guests can enjoy an authentic Vermont experience exuding casual warmth and contemporary comforts. There are 125 guest rooms that feature indulgent bedding, as well as luxury shower and bath areas with organic amenities especially created by the local aromatherapy experts at Lunaroma. Hotel Vermont is the Burlington home of Hen of the Wood Restaurant, long a Vermont favorite, featuring delectable farm-to-table cuisine by acclaimed Chef Eric Warnstedt.
Juniper, the hotel lounge, serves breakfast, specialty coffees, small plates, local beer and wine along with Vermont inspired “carbon-negative” cocktails that represent all of Vermont’s eleven micro-distilleries. Off the lobby, an outdoor terrace and adjacent fire pit overlook Lake Champlain, as well as the Harbor Terrace. This space is Burlington’s first green roof and garden, featuring bronze sculptures by native Vermont artist, Richard Erdman. Hotel Vermont offers two water view function rooms for meetings and events of up to 80 guests.
Church Street is a popular gathering spot for visitors.
Burlington is one of New England’s most charming towns. Church Street, the famed pedestrian street running through the middle of downtown, features a wide array of shops and restaurants. From quaint boutiques to thrift stores and vintage shopping, the Church Street Marketplace and the Essex Experience offer a nice combination of both locally owned stores and national chains. Burlington is packed with talented makers creating handcrafted pieces from waxed canvas bags to mid-century modern birdhouses.
Guests indulge themselves at this elegant hotel.
Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel & Spa, New Castle, New Hampshire
Home to 161 luxury rooms, including hotel doubles, bi-level little harbor marina suites, junior suites with fireplace (one-bedroom) and three turret suites, this elegant hotels features rates that start around $249/night for king and two queen bed guest rooms. Discerning guests can treat themselves to pampering spa services, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness and business centers, on-site marina and intimate restaurants with imaginative cuisine.
Latitudes Waterfront features local ingredients skillfully prepared.
The hotel also offers three different on-site dining locations, including:
SALT Kitchen & Bar:
Celebrate American dining and craft cocktails at Salt Kitchen and Bar, a re-imagined restaurant experience combining the Wentworth’s historic charm with a keen eye for contemporary style.
Latitudes Waterfront:
Enjoy some of the region’s best waterfront dining in the casual atmosphere of Latitudes Waterfront. Open seasonally, this restaurant’s bistro-style menu features local ingredients prepared with flair.
Latitudes Sky Bar:
Wind down the day at Latitudes Sky Bar, a bar and waterfront restaurant serving craft beer, specialty cocktails, mocktails and wines of every hue.