Connecticut Beaches For Social Distancing

Summer at the beach in Connecticut should be all about crystal-clear waters sprinkled with boats, families smiling, white sandy beaches and awesome food and beverage services at your fingertips. The Water’s Edge Resort & Spa in Westbrook offers that perfect summer balance – along with luxury comforts and historic seaside charm only steps from all of summer’s wonderful adventures.

The resort has close to 100 guest rooms and suites in the main hotel that is only steps from the water. There are an additional 68 seaside villas, and four- and five-bedroom beachfront cottages available. The hotel’s newest addition adds another 20 luxury two-bedroom villas that are elegantly furnished with high-end touches and have immediate beach access. All rooms are only a short stroll from the beach.  

Dining at the Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is second to none. The resort’s three unique dining options – Seaside Bistro, Sunset Bar & Grill, and Datillo Fine Italian – each have their own distinctive menu. Seaside Bistro is upbeat and the ideal spot to snag an inventive cocktail, blended drink or that perfectly dry martini. A favorite for Happy Hour, a light dinner or late night, the bistro is well-known for its signature crab cakes and tasty lobster pizza.

Datillo Fine Italian presents an authentic taste of Old-World Italy, complete with a rich menu and hearty wine selection. The beautifully renovated restaurant overlooks the water and serves up one of the best Sunday brunches around.

The Interlaken Inn in Lakeville is one of the more distinctive summer destinations in the Southern Berkshires/Litchfield Hills area of northwestern Connecticut. True to its name, the resort sits between two Twin Lakes – Wononskopomuc Lake and Wononpakook Lake. Surrounded by amazing natural scenery, rolling hills and winding country roads, the hotel’s 86 guest rooms make for a perfect beach getaway without fighting the crowds on the busy coast.

The Interlaken Inn is only a short drive to the Berkshires, excellent outlet shopping, remarkable fine dining, cultural events, local attractions and plenty to do outdoors. Some of the more popular outings include vineyard tours, wine and tea tastings, sailing on Twin Lakes, boating at Lakeville Grove, discovering Kent Falls State Park, or exploring the many trails, live animals and exhibitions at nearby Sharon Audubon.

Morgan’s at the Interlaken Inn is a great place to fuel up for a big morning of adventure, or the ideal end to any day. The restaurant has a seasonal menu organized by two executive chefs that’s the talk of the region. Morgan’s only uses locally sourced ingredients from local vegetable farmers, grass-fed ranchers and cheese artisans to craft a lineup of truly creative American cuisine that incorporates flavors from around the globe.

Bright yellow and beautiful, the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook is the quintessential New England harbor resort. Less than a stone’s throw from the water, the stately seaside inn overlooks a beautiful marina just near where the Connecticut River flows into Long Island Sound. The hotel is surrounded on three sides by water – the North Cove, the South Cove and the Connecticut River.

Rooms at the Main Inn come stocked with all of today’s modern perks like free Wi-Fi, mini refrigerators, European pillowtop mattresses, supple linens, whirlpool tubs, luxurious bath robes and chic Italian tile in the bathroom. Some rooms have a private balcony, fireplace or enhanced water views. The newest addition to the resort – called Three Stories and Tall Tales – is just across the street from the Main Inn and have dining areas, private balconies and fireplaces.

The most intriguing residence at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina is the Lighthouse Suite. Sitting right on the docks at the marina, the Lighthouse Suite has sweeping views of the water and has been named the “Most Romantic, Over-the-Top Guest Suite” by Connecticut Magazine.

Families, singles and romantic couples alike rave about the world-class golf and incredible boating adventures in the Old Saybrook region. Those who are more adventurous should try an eco-cruise, deep-sea fishing, biking, hiking or tennis. To take it down a notch, relax with some quaint antique shopping in the area, visit a cute local coffee shop or café, or simply relax by the pool with a good book or your portable device. When it’s time to dine, don’t miss Fresh Salt, the hotel’s innovative and tasty restaurant.

The 32-room, fist-class Madison Beach Hotel on the shores of Long Island Sound is the epitome of tranquil coastal elegance. The resort harkens to an era gone by, featuring classic New England design highlighted with furnished balconies with spectacular views of the water, a rejuvenating spa and an incredible on-site restaurant and dining experience.

A popular spot for destination weddings, the extravagant resort has plenty of function space and picture-perfect views. Common spaces include everything from a communal dining table near the impressive wine selection to comfy beach chairs only steps from the water.

Families of all ages, romantic couples and single travelers can get their fill of fun activities like antiquing, bike riding along the coast, canoeing and kayaking in the sound, or exploring the thirst-quenching Connecticut Wine Trail. There’s also fun hayrack rides and sleigh rides, depending on the season, as well as hiking, sailing, tennis, fishing and championship golf.

The Sounds of the Sea Spa at the resort is a refreshing retreat for a group of girlfriends, romantic couple, or individual who needs a little spoiling. Guests can visit the spa year-round to indulge in a long list of pampering.

The Wharf presents fine dining at its best. Indoors, guests can dine on hand-selected wines, homemade craft cocktails, tap brews and a refined menu with local ingredients while enjoying sweeping views of the sound. Porch dining at The Wharf allows guests to smell the refreshing sea air while dining on delightful cuisine or sipping a flawless beverage.

The shores of Greenwich Harbor, Smith Cove and Indian Harbor are peppered with elegant hotels, but it’s hard to beat the DELAMAR Greenwich Harbor for across-the-board brilliance. The upscale resort has 75 rooms and seven luxury suites and an unparalleled sophistication only minutes from metropolitan New York City.

With roots dating to 1902, the full-restored DELAMAR is richly contemporary with a tasteful nod to Old World luxury on Connecticut’s Gold Coast. The entire resort has clean lines, soothing color schemes and elegant common spaces with an open, airy design and stunning marble floors. Guest rooms have private balconies and waterfront views.

The hotel has a fitness center and an on-site spa with a full slate of services. Guests can receive a relaxing couples massage and individual treatments or pick up the latest skin products. Some guests book at the DELAMAR just to visit the spa and nothing else. (Well, maybe the dining…)

The stylish l’escale restaurant (means “port of call”) is as close to dining in Southern France as you can get in southeastern Connecticut. The Mediterranean restaurant’s impeccable menu includes delicious plates like gnocchi primavera, Scottish salmon, prime New York steak bearnaise, and a creative Maine lobster fettuccine. The hotel’s impeccable ambiance includes 200-year-old stone terra cotta tiles from Provence, a wrought-iron covered waterfront terrace, and a wood-burning fireplace that sets the mood perfectly.

Known for its scenic waterfront location, spotless guest rooms, exceptional dining and accommodating staff, the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina is a great home base for discovering the Mystic Country. The award-winning inn offers 16 nautically themed guest rooms that are beautifully appointed and have all today’s modern conveniences like air conditioning, fireplaces, cable TV and Wi-Fi, along with superb amenities like free on-site parking and private balconies with views of the marina and water.

The recently remodeled inn is just around the sand bar from Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound by boat, and only a short walk or drive from excellent dining, arts and entertainment at any one of the eclectic towns in the region. The village of Niantic has fabulous boutique shopping, bookstores, a movie theater and wonderful restaurants and pubs. Nearby Mystic has a popular seaport, Olde Mistick Village and the fun Mystic Aquarium. Other popular day trips include shopping, antiquing and exploring the nearby towns of Old Lyme, East Lyme, Waterford, New London and Groton.

Guests at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina can enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet each morning at the hotel free of charge before heading out for a full day of biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing or tennis – just to name a few. Or, guests can relax on the hotel’s wraparound porch or explore the lovely flower gardens.