The Best East Coast Hotels

Dog-friendly, fitness center, outdoor activities, spa, event spaces, complimentary cars available for use

The 20 suites and cottages at Twin Farms are some of the most exclusive accommodations in the world, contributing to countless awards and accolades, including the Forbes “Hotel of the Year” award for 2020. The Twin Farms experience begins when you enter the vast 300-acre property, and every aspect of an all-inclusive resort is somehow a tribute to the stunning natural beauty of this remote part of central Vermont. Between the main house, two adjacent buildings, and 10 cottages there are 20 different suites, each exquisitely decorated in a different style and featuring fine art from the hotel founder’s vast collection.

A central part of a stay at Twin Farms is the dining experience. Guests enjoy three plated meals a day, which can be served in a number of dining areas around the property, as a picnic, or in private rooms. There are no menus, meals are constructed based on the freshest seasonal and local ingredients available, and the staff sommelier selects wines from the property’s 15,000-bottle collection to pair with lunch and dinner.

The hotel takes the fullest advantage of its natural setting in the incredible range of activities on offer. In warmer months, guests can play tennis, go fly fishing, go mountain biking, or take a private bee tour with the property’s beekeeper. In winter, skiers can ditch the lift lines and ski at one of the six groomed trails on the property, available exclusively to guests. Every aspect of a stay at Twin Farms is curated to the most luxurious extent possible, but there also is a unique thread of creativity and whimsy throughout the dining, décor, and recreational offerings.

Pet-friendly, pool, spa, fitness center, children’s programs, event spaces, meeting spaces

If you know someone who grew up going to Maine, they’ve almost definitely waxed nostalgic to you about their memories of vacationland. Spruce Point Inn is just the kind of place where these lifelong memories are forged, as the many families that have made this highlight of their summers for decades will attest. The property sits on 55 acres of Downeast Maine’s rugged coastline, and guests have their choice between 85 rooms, suites, cottages, and townhouses—all decorated in a tasteful Maine color palate, and many featuring ocean views.

In an age when it feels like kids are more plugged in than ever, a stay at the Spruce Point is all about unplugging and enjoying nature. Land activities include swimming in the hotel’s oceanside outdoor pool, biking, tennis, and, of course, making s’mores at the nightly campfire. Activities revolving around beautiful Boothbay Harbor include fishing off the hotel's docks, boating in crafts of all sizes, or trips off the property to visit nearby lighthouses, oyster farms, and whale-watching tours.

Free parking, free Wi-Fi, barbecue facilities

Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most popular summer resort communities in the world, and prices on the island skyrocket accordingly in the warmer months. Travelers on a budget still can take advantage of the island’s natural beauty and explore the adorable six towns on the island by staying at HI Martha’s Vineyard.

HI was the U.S.’s first youth hostel, and dozens of positive reviews commend it for being a clean and comfortable accommodation option that makes this area accessible to those who otherwise might be priced out. The hostel is a little far from town, but by bus, walking, or biking, there are plenty of options for getting around.

On a trip to the Vineyard, you’re unlikely to spend much time inside no matter how much you’re paying, and the HI is an excellent option for those looking for a low-key, low-budget way to experience this luxury destination.

Mercedes Benz property car available for use, complimentary valet parking, spa, on-site dining options, private beach, squash courts, access to nearby private golf and tennis, event space, pet-friendly

From the outside, the Ocean House looks more like a storybook castle than a hotel—so much so that Wes Anderson features it in a dream-like sequence in the film "Moonrise Kingdom." This iconic seaside retreat is the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star hotel in Rhode Island. The on-site spa and restaurant also are Forbes Five-Star rated, making Ocean House one of only 13 five-star resorts worldwide. The building and rooms are beautifully appointed with a design aesthetic that takes a playful approach to traditional New England beach décor through the use of bright colors and patterned upholstery.

After a day of resort activities, which might include anything from Pilates to a wine class, guests can choose from one of several on-site dining options including award-winning signature restaurant Coast. For a fixed price, it offers four- or five-course meals created with the freshest local ingredients available.

The on-site spa is a sprawling facility, and daily fitness classes are included with room rates. Although the Ocean House experience exudes luxury, it’s the combination of laid-back charm, natural and architectural beauty, and abundant simple pleasures that make this place special and compel many guests to make an escape to the Ocean House an annual tradition.

Pet-friendly, Mercedes available for loan, meeting and event spaces, fitness center

A stay at the Mandarin Oriental places you at the heart of historic downtown Boston. Between the award-winning spa, elegant rooms, and convenient amenities like a house Mercedes and concierge dining options, a stay at the Mandarin ensures that you’ll enjoy the city in style. Rooms are decorated in the Mandarin brand’s signature style, with an overall contemporary feel and touches of Art Deco throughout. Rooms are some of the largest available in the city and include features like marble walk-in showers in addition to soaking tubs, Frette sheets, fireplaces, and the option of kitchenettes and powder rooms in suites. The spa is considered by many the best in the city, and at 16,000 square feet is as spacious and elegant as the rooms.

In-room dining service featuring meals from restaurants around the city helps make this a favorite for locals seeking a staycation, but there are amenities tailored specifically to business travelers and families, as well. The meeting spaces are a far cry from your typical corporate conference room and come equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

“Younger Fans,” as the Mandarin refers to its pint-sized guests, are greeted with a sea life-inspired cookie creation, which includes a personalized message in a bottle for each child. This level of service extends to every part of a family stay, from the family adventure program including a treasure hunt around the city to in-room amenities like kid-friendly DVDs and PS3 gaming consoles with games.

Pool, conference facilities, meeting spaces, event space, spa, fitness center, free parking, BMW property cars available for use, complimentary bicycles

Nantucket Island sits 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, but many visitors describe the experience of stepping off the ferry as entering a different world. The island features 82 miles of prime coastline, a historic downtown area, a vibrant culinary scene, and robust outdoor recreation culture. The island comes to life in the summer with the infusion of tourists, seasonal workers, and a robust cultural calendar. The White Elephant is one of the only harborside hotels on Nantucket, and for years it has been considered the go-to choice for a luxury stay on the island.

The resort has received countless industry accolades and regularly appears on lists of the best beach resorts around the world.

Guests have their choice from a range of accommodations. Cottages, residences, and downtown lofts are perfect for those looking for extra space and the comforts of home during their stay, and the rooms and suites in the hotel’s main building offer prime access to downtown and the property’s pool and restaurant.

Rooms are elegantly appointed with bright colors and patterns, and overall the hotel atmosphere is a cheerful and laid-back reflection of the island’s culture as a whole. Whether you’re seeking a romantic one-night getaway, a week of relaxing on the beach, or a summer-long stay to fully drink in all the charm of this special island, the White Elephant is the perfect home base for taking advantage of all the iterations of summer bliss Nantucket has to offer.

Pet-friendly, salon, fitness center, complimentary newspapers, twice daily maid service

A stay at The Carlyle is as much about experiencing a piece of New York history as it is indulging in the grandeur and excellent service that has defined this property for decades. The Carlyle is located in the heart of the Upper Eastside, and for years it has been a favorite of celebrities, socialites, and heads of state for the privacy and quiet it offers alongside convenient access to all of Manhattan.

It’s rare to walk through the hotel’s grand foyer without seeing a familiar face in one of the yellow art deco style chairs or waiting for the white-gloved elevator attendant. Rooms are decorated with modern furnishings and other art deco touches, and they feature fixtures like luxurious baths and the property’s original hardwood floors.

The special magic of the Carlyle is in the legend that surrounds the property, and nowhere is this more on display than in Bemelmans Bar. The walls feature whimsical illustrations of Central Park by Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the "Madeline" series of children's books. Against this backdrop, guests can sip cocktails and enjoy nightly performances by world-class musicians.

For more substantial dining, there’s Café Carlyle, an iconic cabaret venue, and the formal dining venue Dowling's at The Carlyle. There are a lot of top-tier and steeply-priced hotel rooms in New York City, but few offer the charm and ambiance of the Carlyle.

Spa, fitness center, private beach, on-site dining options, kayaks and paddleboards available for use

Little Palm Island is a tropical paradise consisting of 30 thatched bungalows and offers one of the most private and unplugged vacations in the world. This property is a favorite of celebrities, presidents, and anyone else willing to pay top dollar for some seriously secluded R&R.

There is one television on the island, and Wi-Fi is available for those who really need it, but guests are encouraged to fill their days with technology-free adventures. Nobody could be blamed for eschewing recreation in favor of long afternoons spent relaxing on the property’s white-sand beaches, overlooking the turquoise Florida Keys waters. For more active visitors, offerings include kayaks, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and other guided experiences on land and water.

As if the elegant bungalows and pristine beaches were not relaxing enough, guests also can take advantage of indoor or outdoor treatments at SpaTerre, which offers services like sound therapy and ritual baths alongside more traditional spa treatments like massages and manicures.

The hotel's dining program was recognized by Zagat as the best in Florida, and guests can enjoy local seafood dishes in the air-conditioned dining room or anywhere else on the property they choose for a private dining experience.