Best New England B&Bs
From chef-made breakfasts of just-caught lobster to elegant guestrooms with Atlantic views, New England inns offer a boatload of delights for B&B travelers. Below, discover some of the most outstanding B&Bs New England has to offer.
Cliffside Inn, Newport, Rhode Island
When traveling to Newport, it’s only fitting to stay in a mansion by the sea used as a summer home by scions of the past. Cliffside Inn, a meticulously restored Victorian manor house, was originally built in 1876 for Maryland governor Thomas Swan. The elegant house retains much of its Gilded Age grandeur, with lots of antiques, pretty bay windows, a timeworn library filled with old books and a wide wrap-around porch. Ample over-the-top extras, from complimentary wine and cookies upon arrival (the proper way to unwind after a long journey) to a free wine reception in the afternoon, elevate the experience.
Coveside Bed And Breakfast, Georgetown, Maine
When every room has water views, free homemade cookies abound and a soft sandy beach is a stone’s throw away, we’re left with little reason not to consider Coveside Bed and Breakfast for our next Maine getaway. This inn, which sits atop a rocky cove on the New England seacoast, is a former fisherman’s cottage built more than 100 years ago. A breakfast of local ingredients (think Maine lobster and farm-sourced cheeses) is prepared by innkeeper Carolyn Church, a Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef. Head to Coveside during summer to take advantage of proximity to perfectly sandy Reid State Beach. (The property is closed but will reopen Memorial Day weekend 2017.)
The Inn At The Round Barn Farm, Waitsfield, Vermont
With more than 200 acres of forests, flower gardens, meadows and glassy ponds, the Inn at the Round Barn Farm is, unsurprisingly, a popular spot for weddings in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. But with its luxurious rooms and locally sourced breakfasts, the property is a great choice for romantic getaways, wintertime ski vacations and relaxing weekend escapes too. A range of amenities, from in-room fireplaces to sizeable whirlpool tubs, helps travelers unwind in style. (Guests particularly love the steam showers in the bathrooms.) Wake up to a complimentary chef-cooked breakfast served in a bright sun room—and don’t miss the inn’s freshly pressed apple cider and Vermont maple syrup.
Inn At Sunrise Point, Camden, Maine
At Inn at Sunrise Point, all the requisite elements for your quintessential New England vacation are in place: Adirondack chairs beside the sea, working fireplaces, hot Maine-roasted coffee and wild Maine blueberries served at breakfast, and private decks with endless Atlantic views. Guests love the inn’s luxe complimentary amenities, including Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, bottled water, freshly baked cookies, and a multi-course breakfast served in a sun room with panoramic water views. Our advice? Leave your window open at night and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
The Maple Leaf Inn, Barnard, Vermont
The aptly named Maple Leaf Inn is nestled amidst acres of maple trees in Barnard, Vermont, not far from Woodstock. With its wood-burning fireplaces, big whirlpool tubs, outdoor fire pit, heated bathroom floors and nearby snowmobile and snowshoe trails, the property is perfect for a wintertime escape. And Killington—the largest ski resort in New England—is 30 minutes’ drive from the inn. During warmer months, retreat to a rocking chair on the wrap-around porch with a good book and a glass of wine, or look for hummingbirds, deer, moose and foxes around the inn’s 16 forested acres.
Steamboat Inn, Mystic, Connecticut
Since Steamboat Inn sits right on the edge of the Mystic River, guests get plenty of opportunities to enjoy direct water views. Set your wood-burning fireplace ablaze and watch the boats go by via the floor-to-ceiling windows in your guest room. This boutique inn is located in downtown Mystic—walking distance from shops, restaurants and the famous Mystic River Bascule Bridge. Complimentary afternoon sherry, freshly baked treats and local apple cider are served in afternoons, and bikes are available for guest use at no additional cost.
Sugar Hill Inn, Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
From its white porch swings with mountain views and waterfall-fed swimming pool to the property’s private decks and fireside two-person jetted tubs, Sugar Hill Inn promises a bounty of places to sit back, relax and breathe in fresh mountain air. When you’re not gazing at majestic White Mountains vistas (with a glass of innkeeper-curated wine in hand if you desire), head to the dining room to indulge in local cuisine. The property’s breakfasts, lunches and dinners wow with the best ingredients New England has to offer: Vermont cheeses, Sugar Hill maple syrup, and garden-grown herbs and berries. Complimentary tapas are served during the afternoon, and rooms are equipped with Nespresso machines.
Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont
Head to Rabbit Hill Inn’s atmospheric fire-lit dining room for a gourmet meal of local seafood and Vermont-brewed beer. Then spend the night in one of the inn’s 19 guestrooms, where pretty mountain views, whirlpool tubs and fireplaces set a tranquil scene. Guests at the inn while away afternoons playing board games by the fire, indulging in complimentary tea service or—when the weather is warm—reading on the covered porch or hiking nearby trails. In the morning, an expansive breakfast that includes a buffet as well as your choice of a hot made-to-order entree will fuel your Vermont adventures.
Topside Inn, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Topside Inn overlooks the gray blue waters of Boothbay Harbor from the lofty vantage of a green hilltop. Request a bay-facing room to enjoy sea views from the privacy of your cozy window seat or king-size bed. Rooms have adorable nautically themed décor, and innkeepers Mark and Buzz make sure all the necessary extras— from bottled water and snacks to sunblock and bug spray—are on hand for guests. Breakfast is a highlight of the Topside Inn experience. Guests can look forward to a locally sourced three-course meal of dishes such as eggs Benedict with lobster or potato hash with smoked duck and local farm eggs.
Union Street Inn, Nantucket, Massachusetts
This elegant Nantucket inn—a former whaling captain’s home that was restored in 2013—offers a luxurious and stylish base for visitors to the tiny island. As the only Nantucket guesthouse offering a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, Union Street Inn provides an impressive morning menu of fresh fruit, just-baked breads and hot entrees such as eggs Benedict or blueberry pancakes. The property is set right in town, so it’s a good place to stay if you plan on exploring Nantucket by foot.