The Best New England Hotels for an Off the Beaten Path Getaway

Outdoor heated pool and hot tub, al fresco dining areas, live entertainment

Located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, The Red Lion Inn ticks all the boxes for a classic New England getaway: It’s historic, picturesque, and an easy drive from the Berkshires’ best attractions, including Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, Mass MoCA, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. The Appalachian Trail passes right through town, so active travelers can get in a day hike. Stay in the main inn and choose a suite for extra space, or select a more private accommodation in one of the inn's adjacent guest houses.

The Red Lion Inn received “The Best of Award of Excellence'' from Wine Spectator for its bottle collection. For a fancy dinner, enjoy New England fare in the main dining room—Prince Edward Island mussels or classic prime rib with a horseradish cream sauce. Or check out the Widow Bingham tavern onsite for sandwiches and soups.

Water park, arcade with games, outdoor pool, hot tub, spa with massages and body treatments

Sure, there's an onsite water park at Cape Codder Resort & Spa, which the kids will love. But this Lower Cape resort has more to offer with multiple restaurants onsite serving casual fare like pizza and seafood and a spa known for massages, facials, and Himalayan pink salt treatments. Rooms are basic yet well-equipped with separate seating areas, and some have access to the courtyard. Consider upgrading to a suite for whirlpool tubs and fireplace or a guest house that fits up to eight with a full kitchen, common areas, and fireplace.

On-site casino, kid-friendly activities like bowling, on-site spa

Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, isn’t only a casino; it also has some of the best entertainment in New England. Catch world-class musicians at the arena, ride the mechanical bull at Comix Roadhouse, and have a game night with billiards, darts, corn hole, and arcade games. If you’d rather unwind, Mandarin spa has signature treatments including a Fire & Ice Massage that uses heated Basalt stones and cooling gels to soothe achy muscles and a relaxing sound bath performed while you lie on a heated crystal bed. 

Rooms are good-sized with a plush bed, large bathroom, and flat-screen television; many accommodate groups with separate seating areas that have a pullout sofa. 

Multiple common areas with outdoor seating, outdoor shower in the back garden, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries

The Pequot Hotel is a short walk from the ferry docks and close to everything in Oak Bluffs, one of the main towns on Martha's Vineyard. Several connected buildings surround a central courtyard with patio chairs and umbrellas for enjoying the complimentary afternoon iced tea and cookies. The hotel is painted in the gingerbread cottage style common in Oak Bluffs, with vivid decorative lattice and trim surrounding the eaves and front porch. 

Rooms feature cool blue and white tones with nautical accessories, air conditioning, and large bathrooms. Bigger groups can choose a king suite with separate seating areas and a mini-fridge or a three-bedroom apartment suite with a kitchenette and private porch. 

Shared kitchen, free coffee, multiple common areas for socializing 

Hostels aren't just for backpackers who don't mind sharing bathrooms and bunk beds for cheap accommodation—leave the stereotype at home and give the Black Elephant Hostel a try. Located in the Old Port section of Portland, Maine, a rising destination for foodie travelers and craft beer enthusiasts, this four-story hostel is great for solo and group travelers. You'll find a shared kitchen onsite, free local coffee, and large common areas with boho-style global decor. Accommodations include down bunk beds (coed or single-gender) and private rooms, many of which have their own private bathroom so you don't have to share. While families are welcome, kids must be at least four to stay. 

Hot tub, beer and wine on site including The Alchemist's legendarily hard-to-find Heady Topper, outdoor areas with hammocks and a telescope for stargazing

A short walk from Burlington’s two colleges and its downtown, which is densely packed with small businesses and restaurants, Made INN Vermont offers bed-and-breakfast hospitality with a design sensibility that skews mid-century and local art on the walls. The atmosphere here is decidedly casual; the inn's website promises no formal conversations, no antiques, and no flowery furnishings. 

The generous breakfast includes crowd-pleasers like pancakes, waffles, eggs Benedict, and bagels and lox; there is also a 24/7 cafe serving coffee, tea, and small treats. A board game library and record player are perfect for rainy days.

Complimentary bicycle usage, poolside yoga and sound baths

Part of the Auberge Resorts family, this landmark inn in posh Kennebunkport offers guest rooms and private cottages with waterfront views. Guest rooms have been thoughtfully restored with a coastal style. You'll enjoy in-room extras like fresh flowers, a gas-burning fireplace, an oversized soaking tub, and Prima Fleur toiletries. Cottages were renovated in 2021 and are a 1/4-mile walk from the main property. 

Restorative spa treatments include Thai yoga and raindrop therapy that draws on indigenous traditions. No stay is complete without a meal at the AAA Five Diamond restaurant serving New England cuisine with fresh-caught seafood. Indulge in the chef's lobster menu, a six-course tasting menu showcasing Maine lobster alongside caviar and foie gras. For a casual meal, Little Barn has cocktails, burgers, and sandwiches including a lobster roll. 

On-site Japanese bathhouse, steam room, and spa; all activities are included in rate; unparalleled service; locally-made Versante bath amenities

Three hours from Boston and five hours from New York lies Twin Farms, a resort set on 300 wooded acres of rural Vermont. With multiple fitness and spa offerings, it's ideal for a romantic wellness vacation—and especially fitting for foodies, thanks to an impressive farm-to-table menu. Couples will be particularly attracted to the resort, which does not allow children under 14. 

Rooms and individually-themed private cottages come with fireplaces, refrigerators, Versante bath products, and a local handcrafted jigsaw puzzle to complete during your stay. Coffee and tea are available all day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered in the on-site restaurant, which serves fresh local meat, cheeses, and produce. Explore the nature trails on foot, ski the property's own ski mountain, or bicycle through the forest with a packed picnic lunch. You can also try your hand at fly fishing or challenge your partner to an ax-throwing contest.