10 NEIRA Members Named Best Luxury Hotels in New England

The coastal resorts of Maine and Massachusetts offer breathtaking oceanfront settings paired with extensive amenities, making them perfect destinations for beach and family travel.

• Wequassett Resort & Golf Club (Cape Cod, MA)
  Named one of the best luxury 5-star resorts in New England, Wequassett Resort & Golf Club is an opulent Cape Cod seaside getaway set on 27 pristine acres overlooking Pleasant Bay. Its accommodations feature coastal accents and private balconies. Culinary excellence centers on fresh local bounty, notably at the signature restaurant, twenty-eight Atlantic, housed in a historic 18th-century sea captain’s home. The resort also offers a waterfront pool, tennis courts, and golf.

• The Mansion at Ocean Edge (Cape Cod, MA)
  This luxurious 5-star hotel near Cape Cod features a Victorian-style mansion and villas right by the water. Guests of The Mansion at Ocean Edge receive VIP access to a private, breezy beach with full services. The retreat is packed with activities, including an 18-hole private golf course, and offers various culinary options from al-fresco dining to traditional pubs.

   

• Cliff House Maine (Ogunquit, ME)
  Serving mesmerizing ocean views from 70 acres near Ogunquit’s beach since 1872, Cliff House Maine is a top choice for a luxury resort in Maine. The resort features 226 nautically inspired rooms, many with scenic private terraces. The wellness experience is world-class, including three pools, a rejuvenating spa, and a 24-hour fitness center. Dining includes the main space, The Tiller, and the famous Nubb’s Lobster Shack, which serves Maine’s renowned lobster roll.

   

• Inn by the Sea (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
  Located on a mile of unspoiled Crescent Beach, Inn by the Sea is an award-winning oceanfront retreat just minutes from Portland. This upscale resort is renowned for its luxuriously appointed suites, many with gas-burning fireplaces and fully equipped kitchens. The resort boasts a LEED Silver-certified Spa and the oceanfront Sea Glass Restaurant, which has earned accolades for its regional seafood dishes and wine cellar. The property is also famously pet-friendly, even offering the chance to meet and adopt foster dogs.

   

• Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham, MA)
  A Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel on Cape Cod, Chatham Bars Inn occupies 25 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This iconic resort, which has been a landmark since 1914, offers various accommodations, including Spa Suites with hydrotherapy tubs. Guests can access a quarter-mile private beach with cabana service, enjoy boating adventures like whale watching, and savor meals at five distinct dining venues, including STARS and The Sacred Cod Tavern.

For travelers seeking a historic city stay or island tranquility, New England offers several distinguished luxury boutique inns.

• Harbor View Hotel (Martha’s Vineyard, MA): This iconic 5-star hotel on Martha’s Vineyard offers 117 nautical accommodations and a heated outdoor pool. Its acclaimed fine-dining destination, Bettini Restaurant, specializes in refined contemporary American cuisine.

   

• Castle Hill Inn (Newport, RI): Situated on a 40-acre peninsula in Newport, Rhode Island, this Relais & Châteaux hotel offers luxury across an historic mansion and various houses. Guests can relax on the private white sand beach and enjoy the world-class culinary experience at Aurelia, known for its six-course tasting menu.

   

• The Whaler’s Inn (Mystic, CT): Located in the heart of Mystic, Connecticut’s maritime village, this premier inn comprises six historic buildings. Its on-site restaurant, The Shipwright’s Daughter, is award-winning, offering a modern tide-to-table dining experience.

   

• The Abner Hotel (Litchfield, CT): This new luxury boutique hotel in Litchfield, Connecticut, is uniquely situated in a historic 1752 county courthouse. It features the signature restaurant, The Courtroom, serving tavern-style dishes, and offers drinks at The Parlour and the seasonal rooftop bar, Verdict.

For those who prefer inland scenery and wellness in the mountains, Vermont offers an iconic luxury resort.

• Woodstock Inn & Resort (Woodstock, VT): Considered one of the best luxury resorts in Vermont, the Woodstock Inn & Resort is a timeless retreat nestled in the Green Mountains. The property features a destination spa, an 18-hole golf course, and serves farm-to-table dishes across its multiple restaurants, making it an excellent base for various outdoor activities.