The Charming New England Boutique Hotels to Put on Your Travel List

Former New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler’s 19th century mansion is now the sole hotel on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk. The hotel’s 20 guest rooms and villas offer bespoke luxury and themed interiors that peek into Newport’s deep history. Cara, the hotel’s on-premise fine-dining restaurant, harnesses the glamour and sophistication of Newport’s mansion era.

The 24-room Garrison Inn was inspired by Newburyport resident and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. Renovated rooms in the National Historic Landmark, built by Moses Brown in 1809, embrace the look of Garrison’s letterpress workshop. Historic details include original fireplaces, hand-hewn beams, and exposed brick walls. The Inn, which has operated in downtown Newburyport since 1850, offers complimentary breakfast with every stay.

The city’s sole boutique apart-hotel, The Inn Downtown is housed in an 1809 home in the heart of historic Portsmouth. The dog-friendly hotel was renovated in 2019 and includes kitchens and laundry access in all 10 of its studio apartments, as well as contactless check-in and out. The hotel sits just one block from the scenic waterfront, offering a window into Portsmouth’s maritime history.

Boutique brand Lark Hotels recently debuted the Kennebunkport Captains Collection, a single luxury resort representing four historic homes and the area’s rich merchant history: the William Jefferds House, James Fairfield House, Nathaniel Lord Mansion, and Acton Patterson House. The hotel’s 45 guest rooms and suites boast working fireplaces, four-poster beds, soaking tubs, and preserved historic details from the Colonial and Federal eras. Enjoy cocktails at the Butler’s Pantry, the resort’s bar.