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I’ve put this quick guide together to help you understand the choices you have, and what to expect from them.
And you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can find out there. So read on and discover the perfect lodging for your trip.
The fact is New England lodging isn’t only about a room for the night between touring stops. When you’re looking for an extra special place for a getaway or vacation, then there’s a whole range of accommodation types to choose from in New England.
Accommodation like this...
Hotel, or waking up to this delightful room in the Brookside
Bed-and-Breakfast in Orwell, Vermont
And there's much more...
Here’s a sample of what you’ll find
throughout the region…
- Richly restored country inns that delight the senses with fine rooms and dining.
- Snug and down-home bed and breakfasts with a friendly atmosphere.
- Enchanting romantic getaways that help you create those treasured moments.
- Premier family resorts and ski lodges designed for activities and a barrel full of fun.
- Delectable gourmet delights with luscious dishes and rooms to match.
- Plush and ornate luxury city hotels ready to pamper and excel with first-class service.
- Clean and comfortable good value lodging with simple comforts and consistent quality.
- Off the beaten track island havens with a storied past and a rich tradition.
You see I wasn’t kidding when I said there’s something for everybody.
Let me give you a taste of each so you can decide which type of New England lodging fits the style of vacation you’re planning to take...
Inns & bed and breakfasts...
Inns tend to be clumped together near villages and towns in the more rural areas of each state, although fine bed and breakfasts can be found in smaller cites.
There really isn’t much difference between inns and bed and breakfasts, and you’ll find that many New England lodging and accommodation listings use the term interchangeably.
Strictly speaking bed-and-breakfast lodging only serves breakfast. Whereas an inn usually offers dinner as an option. The bed and breakfasts tend to have less rooms and the hosts are more likely to spend time chatting with you after the breakfast rush is over.
These types of lodgings are becoming increasingly popular in New England and a specialty of the region.
Because of this, and the fact you should know a few things about them before deciding if they’re right for you, I wrote a special article about them. You can read all about New England inns & bed and breakfasts by clicking here.
Romantic getaways...
So you want to be alone… well, with somebody else that is. Hey, you know what I mean.
These are a type of New England lodging that pamper you, or make you feel special, or both. They give you the space to enjoy the surroundings, and yet disappear if, and whenever, you want.
While many hotels are large enough to get “lost” in, you’ll find many of the getaways are special inns and manors dotted around the New England landscape.
It takes a special kind of lodging and innkeeper to earn a reputation as a recommended romantic hideaway.
Family resorts and ski lodges…
These are resorts and lodges that are family-focused, with some doubling during the winter as ski resorts. Some are near lakes or have their own pools and spas.
Water activities include swimming, canoeing, and fishing. For the more adventurous some resorts offer kayaking and water skiing.
Landlubbers get to do stuff like biking, nature activities, and horseback riding. And summer sports programs such as soccer, basketball, and baseball coaching.
Most have special kids programs, so parents like you get free time to do what you want. And then can join around a campfire during the evening… did somebody bring the marshmallows?
Of course winter activities include skiing, sleigh rides, and tubing.
And talking about activities, before you read any further, here's a resource where you'll discover a bunch of actitivies in the New England area...
Gourmet Delights…
This type of New England lodging focuses as much on the food as the guest rooms.
In fact even using the word "food" seems to downgrade what these places are all about. And I've probably made a few innkeepers sore at me already.
So I'll quickly retract and use the word cuisine instead.
Phew! That was a close one!
Back to the track... You’ll find many Inns specializing in different cuisines and tastes. From delectable classical French to tantalizing new American.
Usually the chefs at the inns double as the innkeeper or part owner. They may have had formal training or just be naturally gifted in culinary activities. The beauty is... there’s no one region that corners the market for Gourmet lodging.
You’ll find them way up on scenic Route 1 in Maine, and on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. And out in the western part of New England in Vermont or the Berkshires.
And don’t forget some of the best places to lodge and eat in a city like Boston are the Luxury hotels. They are able to afford some world-renowned chefs to create special dishes for discerning palates.
And talking of luxury hotels…
Luxury city hotels…
Boston takes the chequered flag in New England lodging for luxury places to stay and eat.
Leading the pack is The Four Seasons, which is New England’s only five-diamond hotel and restaurant. Rooms range $375 - $495 per night, but make sure you get one overlooking the famed Boston Public Gardens.
Perhaps the most beautiful setting can be found at the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf. Overlooking the revitalized and magnificent Boston waterfront area, it also boasts a 10,000 square-foot health club. Rates are from $310 - $1,600.
Another popular luxury city accommodation is Hotel Meridien. Excellent French cuisine, and conveniently located to Faneuil Hall and the Harbor area, makes this a top choice as a luxury New England lodging stay. Room rate of $325 - $450.
Just remember parking is an issue in Boston. You can expect to pay another $23 a night for parking at the above hotels. Ouch! Yes, it hurts... but like so many major cities in the U.S. parking space is at a premium these days.
Good value New England lodging…
Okay, let’s say you’re on a tight budget for your New England lodging. A nice price is important to you. There’s plenty of affordable New England lodging that offers a clean comfortable room.
Sure you may not remember its exact name a few years down the road, but if you’re on a budget, and the area is the attraction, not the accommodation, then you probably don't care that much.
In this budget conscious list are motor lodges, Best Western, Day Inns, Ramada Inn, and Comfort Inns. And you can find motor inns with a bed and breakfast feel and great value.
Just remember these are "chain" inns and very different from the distinct bed and breakfast type inns discussed earlier.
New England island havens…
New England has thousands of miles of coastline and many islands.There's just something about staying on an island that makes a vacation memorable for me. Maybe it's the excitement of the ferry ride, or the different pace of island life.
And each one seems to have it's own character and attraction.
Some are large like Block Island, Rhode Island, and Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts. Others such as Monhegan and Vinalhaven, both in Maine, are small.
The ferry services to the larger islands are more frequent, than the smaller islands.
Just remember though... on the larger islands you’ll get the crowds, but at the smaller islands, it'll be easier to find your own space… and keep it.
You’ll get a wide choice of New England lodging on Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard that include hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and rental properties.
The smaller islands will focus on bed and breakfasts and cottages.
Accommodation on any of the New England Islands fills up quickly, especially for the summer months... so book early.
Here's what to expect when you book
your New England lodging…
You can expect during the high season and at weekends to have a minimum stay of two or three nights.
During the week and off-season you should be able to get a one-night booking. Even at weekends during the off-season you’ll probably be able to negotiate.
Bottom line is... a hotel or innkeeper would prefer to fill a room, than it be empty.
Rates are usually quoted for two people sharing. There may be a special single-room rate, but don’t bank on it, and it’ll most likely be a small difference.
If you’re reserving at a hotel look for packages. It’s not unknown for a seemingly expensive resort to offer a special package. This can make them an attractive alternative to smaller otherwise less expensive New England lodging.
And don’t forget there will be room and meal taxes to add on. This add-on varies around the different states, and sometimes even within a state.
New England lodging Resource:
Now, in this article I’ve concentrated on giving mostly general information on New England lodging. But as you can guess each state has it’s own brand of personality and atmosphere that adds to the overall experience of your vacation.To discover where to stay deals, and compare rates and amenities with a trusted and professional travel organization then choose the states that interest you and use the resources below to find lodging that is best for you:
For Connecticut lodging and accommodations click here.
For Maine lodging and accommodations click here.
For Massachusetts lodging and accommodations click here.
For New Hampshire lodging and accommodations click here.
For Rhode Island lodging and accommodations click here.
For Vermont lodging and accommodations click here.
More New England Lodging Resources...
And if you'd like to save money when booking your New England lodging and grab a bunch more travel resource information at the same time, then here's an offer you can't afford to miss...
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