The Best New England Hotels for an Off the Beaten Path Getaway The Red Lion Inn is our top pick for quintessential New England vibes By Lindsey Danis Lindsey Danis Instagram Twitter Vassar College Emerson College Lindsey Danis is a queer travel writer based in the Hudson Valley. Lindsey's work has appeared in AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Longreads, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 06/13/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. From the picturesque gingerbread homes of Martha’s Vineyard to the rolling farm fields of rural Vermont, New England is home to some of the most charming small towns in America. Spread across four of the six New England states—Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island—the hotels in this list are ideal for weekend getaways and the region's top day trips for couples, families, and small group travelers. Visit in summer to enjoy New England beaches and lakes; come in fall for the leaf-peeping season; or experience the wintry charm of a roaring fireplace and warm beverage while snow swirls outside. Whatever season you choose, you won't be disappointed. Best New England Getaways in 2022 Best Overall: The Red Lion Inn Best for Families: Cape Codder Resort and Spa Best Entertainment: Mohegan Sun Best Cape & Islands: Pequot Hotel Best Budget: Black Elephant Hostel Best B&B: Made INN Vermont Best Luxury: White Barn Inn Best Adults-Only: Twin Farms The Best New England Hotels for an Off the Beaten Path Getaway View All The Best New England Hotels for an Off the Beaten Path Getaway The Red Lion Inn Cape Codder Resort and Spa Mohegan Sun Pequot Hotel Black Elephant Hostel Made INN Vermont White Barn Inn Twin Farms Final Verdict Compare the Best New England Getaways How We Chose These Hotels Best Overall : The Red Lion Inn The Red Lion Inn See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Travel back in time to Norman Rockwell’s America without foregoing modern conveniences at this centuries-old Berkshires inn. Notable Amenities Outdoor heated pool and hot tub, al fresco dining areas, live entertainment Pros Pet-friendly ($40/night) Creative seasonal pricing specials (like locals-only deals) The Inn gets top marks for accessibility Cons Cell coverage in Stockbridge remains spotty Guests say the restaurant is expensive for serving sizes 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. Best for Families : Cape Codder Resort and Spa Cape Codder Resort and Spa See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With a water park and spa, this Hyannis resort is a family favorite. Notable Amenities Water park, arcade with games, outdoor pool, hot tub, spa with massages and body treatments Pros Standout customer service Lots of family packages and incentives Cons Environment tends to be raucous, so not the best choice for childless travelers Since day passes are also available for the water park, it can get crowded 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. Best Entertainment : Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With multiple casinos, a live entertainment arena, and shopping concourse, Mohegan Sun is a southern New England getaway close to Providence, Boston, and New York. Notable Amenities On-site casino, kid-friendly activities like bowling, on-site spa Pros Very friendly staff Tons of activities to fill your stay (for both kids and adults) 48 dining options on the property Cons Hotel needs more soundproofing Some rooms need an update 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. Best Cape & Islands : Pequot Hotel Pequot Hotel See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The Pequot Hotel is charming and walkable to everything in Oak Bluffs, including the Martha’s Vineyard ferry. Notable Amenities Multiple common areas with outdoor seating, outdoor shower in the back garden, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries Pros Free continental breakfast with quiche, muffins, and steel-cut oats Free parking Cons At close to 100 years, some believe the hotel is showing its age Rooms are on the small side 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. Best Budget : Black Elephant Hostel Black Elephant Hostel See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Affordable, lively, and clean, this budget Portland stay might change your opinion of hostels for the better! Notable Amenities Shared kitchen, free coffee, multiple common areas for socializing Pros Hostel accepts large group bookings including whole-hostel takeovers Free on-street parking nearby is first-come, first served 13 bathrooms onsite Cons A maximum stay limit of 7 days within a 60-day period No laundry onsite 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 over 4 to stay. Best B&B : Made INN Vermont Made INN Vermont See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This Burlington, Vermont, bed and breakfast delivers incredible food and service. Notable Amenities 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 Pros Host Linda gets rave reviews for standout hospitality Group stays available for special events, with a 20% surcharge Pet-friendly for $25/night Cons Very strict cancellation policy, particularly for college graduation weekend bookings Rooms run small 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. Best Luxury : White Barn Inn White Barn Inn See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Fresh off a renovation, this Kennebunkport resort delivers a luxury stay in a charming coastal Maine town. Notable Amenities Complimentary bicycle usage, poolside yoga and sound baths Pros Location is ideal, close to the beach and town Staff gets rave reviews for service Fine dining options are a standout Unique guest experiences include traditional handicraft making and sailing trips Cons 30-day cancellation policy in high season to receive a refund, less $75 processing fee Some dedicated Auberge Resort fans don't believe this one lives up to Auberge standards 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. Best Adults-Only : Twin Farms Twin Farms See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With a pastoral Vermont setting and all-inclusive offerings that go above and beyond, this is the perfect stay for a romantic retreat. Notable Amenities On-site Japanese bathhouse, steam room, and spa; all activities are included in rate; unparalleled service; locally-made Versante bath amenities Pros Remote Vermont location is ideal for a relaxing retreat Ample outdoor activities on-site Individually-appointed cottages and accommodations have dozens of accolades annually Cons Very pricy Remote location may not appeal to all 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. Final Verdict You won't go wrong with any of these picks. That said, the Red Lion Inn is a strong all-rounder that’s a handy two to three hours drive from Boston and New York City. White Barn Inn offers a taste of upper-crust New England in tony Kennebunkport that is well worth sampling, and Made INN Vermont hits a home run with its bed and breakfast vibe. Compare the Best New England Getaways Property Number of Rooms Rates Free WiFi Resort Fee The Red Lion Inn Best Overall 82 $$ Yes No Cape Codder Resort and Spa Best for Families 244 $$ Yes $5.73 Mohegan Sun Best Entertainment 1,200 $$ Yes $24.95 Pequot Hotel Best Cape & Islands 32 $$ Yes No Black Elephant Hostel Best Budget 12 $ Yes No Made INN Vermont Best B&B 4 $$$ Yes No White Barn Inn Best Luxury 26 $$$$ Available for a fee $43.60/day Twin Farms Best Adults-Only 20 $$$$ Available for a fee No How We Chose These Hotels We evaluated over two dozen New England hotels to determine the best in every category. In making our decision, we considered proximity to local attractions and the property's service, dining options, rooms, and amenities, with an eye toward balancing selections across the region. We also reviewed the experiences of recent guests to compile the pros and cons lists. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! 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