New and Updated New England Hotels For 2023

Compiled by Bill Scheller

New and Updated Maine Hotels

AWOL, Kennebunkport

A compound of luxurious cabins clustered on wooded, landscaped grounds around a historic home makes this newcomer unique among the seaside resort town’s lodging options. Part of Lark Hotels’ portfolio of New England accommodations, AWOL features rooms and suites in the main house, and cabin accommodations ranging from pet-friendly studios to a premium suite with a Japanese soaking tub, gas fireplace, and firepit on the private patio. Continental breakfast offerings rise well above the ordinary. larkhotels.com

CAMBRIA HOTEL, Portland

Tucked between Portland’s East End and its vibrant harbor district, the Cambria offers generously appointed rooms and suites, each with a refrigerator, microwave, and Bluetooth mirror that brings music into the bathroom. Upper-floor accommodations feature views of the busy harbor, where Casco Bay Lines excursion boats set sail just a half mile from the hotel. An indoor-outdoor bar specializes in Maine beers on tap, and the restaurant’s menu is built around local seafood and other regional ingredients. cambriaoldport.com

THE FEDERAL, Brunswick

Understated elegance is the hallmark of The Federal, a 19th-century sea captain’s home and former inn reborn as a 30-room boutique hotel. A five-minute stroll to Main Street’s attractions and a scant mile from Bowdoin College, the pet-friendly Federal offers accommodations that bring together period details and a clean, modern aesthetic. Guests who remember Portland’s acclaimed 555 restaurant will be delighted to find chef Steve Curry back at work in the hotel’s restaurant 555 North, transforming locally sourced ingredients into his “New New England” cuisine. thefederalmaine.com

THE LINCOLN HOTEL, Biddeford

A 170-year-old mill now houses the Lincoln Hotel, a 33-room boutique newcomer to Maine’s south coast. All rooms feature expansive windows, exposed brick walls, gas fireplaces, Oriental rugs, mini fridges, and original artwork. There’s a fitness center and rooftop pool, an inviting lobby bar with cushy armchairs, and a coffee shop and bakery. On the lower level, dine— and sample custom-crafted liquid refreshment—at the newest branch of Maine-based Batson River Brewing & Distilling. lincolnhotelmaine.com

QUEEN ANNE’S REVENGE, Bar Harbor

Five former Bar Harbor “cottages”— once the domain of Gilded Age summer sojourners—have been brought together as Queen Anne’s Revenge. Tucked along a side street away from the downtown bustle yet convenient to shops and restaurants, the inn boasts a variety of rooms and suites whose features and dimensions reflect the cottages’ distinctive architecture—no two are alike. Amenities include continental breakfast and the Black Spot Tavern, whose name once belonged to Blackbeard’s pirate ship, which legend claims lurked in Frenchman Bay. queenannesrevengemaine.com

New and Updated Massachusetts Hotels

CHAPTER HOUSE, Yarmouth Port

Cape Cod’s newest boutique hotel stands on the Cape’s quietest and most picturesque thoroughfare: Route 6A, the old King’s Highway. The Victorian mansard roof on Yarmouth Port’s Chapter House belies the mansion’s 1716 origins, and the clean, uncluttered decor of the accommodations there and in the adjacent carriage house add a modern touch. Set amid broad lawns and landscaped gardens, the main house opens onto a terrace where drinks are served around a firepit. chapterhousecapecod.com

FARAWAY, Nantucket

It’s not that far away—at least not from downtown Nantucket, where it’s located just three blocks from the harbor—but Faraway, occupying a complex of historic homes, keeps its distance from the usual boutique hotel experience. No two of its accommodations are alike and range from single-occupancy with shared bathrooms, to a “quad” featuring two upper-and-lower bunks, to the three-bedroom, private-entry Federal Suite with chef ’s kitchen and private patio. The Sister Ship restaurant offers local seafood with a Mediterranean accent, indoors or out. farawayhotels.com

THE FRANKLIN HOTEL, Edgartown

Everyone’s need for a pied-à-terre in Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard, is answered by the Franklin Hotel, an 18-room boutique establishment that combines the atmosphere of an upscale beach house with steps-away closeness to the old whaling capital’s lively downtown. Some rooms feature an electric fireplace; all have access to a 24-hour pantry with a Keurig coffeemaker and a patio tucked away from street bustle. For families, there’s a penthouse loft, with a king bed and cozy bunks accessible by a spiral staircase. franklinhotelmv.com

THE LANGHAM, Boston

Boston’s Financial District has never been much of a player in the city’s hotel scene, but that’s all changed with the opening of The Langham, a luxury property opened last year in the former Boston headquarters of the Federal Reserve. Convenient to downtown and the waterfront as well as the Hub’s business center, The Langham offers bright, spacious guest rooms with park and skyline views, as well as “Club”- level accommodations that include full breakfasts, midday snacks, and cocktails. Italian-inspired restaurant Grana occupies the bank’s Grand Hall, and the plush hotel bar is called—what else?— The Fed. langhamhotels.com

THE NEWBURY, Boston

For a brand-new hotel, The Newbury has quite a history. Built in 1927 as The Ritz-Carlton, and reborn as The Taj in 2007, the grand dame at the threshold of Boston’s Back Bay begins its third incarnation with a bright, contemporary look, fully remodeled yet with traditional touches such as suites with wood-burning fireplaces—and incomparable views of the Public Garden—still part of the experience. Menus at the glassy rooftop restaurant Contessa have an Italian flair, while the Street Bar remains, as in the century past, a place where you might overhear what makes Boston tick. thenewburyboston.com

New and Updated New Hampshire Hotels

HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON, North Conway

At this surprisingly affordable lodging option at the gateway to the White Mountains, accommodations include studio and one-bedroom suites; even the studios have separate seating areas. Rooms are characterized by a cheerful, midcentury modern color palette—a welcome alternative to the grays and earth tones that hotels seem to favor nowadays. There’s an indoor pool and fitness center, and a hot breakfast is included. hilton.com

THE HOTEL CONCORD,Concord

It would take a seat in the New Hampshire legislature to be closer to the action in Concord, the Granite State’s capital city. Nestled into the fourth and sixth floors of downtown’s Capital Commons Building, the Hotel Concord is an independent boutique lodging whose 38 rooms are flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic city views (the spacious Capital Suite faces the State House’s golden dome). Dine at the on-site O Steak and Seafood restaurant, or order room service—an especially attractive option for guests in Terrace Rooms, which have outdoor seating in season. hotelconcordnh.com

SHERATON NASHUA,Nashua

The castle-inspired Sheraton Nashua has been around a while, but underwent a complete renovation in spring 2022. Located less than a half hour from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and just 45 minutes from Boston, it is a lower-cost alternative to hotels in the Hub but features all the big-city hotel amenities—an all-day restaurant, bar, and fitness center—plus indoor and outdoor pools and spacious rooms and suites that are harder to find in urban lodgings. All this, plus diamond-paned windows. marriott.com

New and Updated Connecticut Hotels

CAMBRIA HOTEL, South Windsor

Choice Hotels’ fast-expanding, value-oriented Cambria brand is now represented by the Cambria Hotel Manchester South Windsor, located just north of Hartford and its I-91 and I-84 crossroads and adjacent to the shops and restaurants of Evergreen Walk. Cambria rooms feature separate sitting areas, microwaves and mini fridges, Bluetooth mirrors, and ergonomic furnishings. There’s an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant and bar featuring an array of regional craft beers on tap. choicehotels.com

HOTEL MARCEL,New Haven

The Hotel Marcel takes its name from midcentury modern architect and designer Marcel Breuer, and stays true to the spirit of his day with the adaptive reuse of Breuer’s New Haven’s landmark 1970 Pirelli Building. Architectural historians call the era’s signature style “brutalist,” but the hotel’s clean-lined, spacious guest rooms and public spaces are anything but. And true to the spirit of our own day, the Marcel reflects a commitment to environmental awareness and energy efficiency: the entire building is solar-powered. That commitment extends to the hotel restaurant, BLDG, where sustainable sourcing of ingredients is paramount. hotelmarcel.com

THE STAMFORD HOTEL,Stamford

One of Connecticut’s newest hotels is the Stamford Hotel, with a downtown location convenient to I-95 and Stamford’s Amtrak and commuter rail station. With its special emphasis on wellness and relaxation, the hotel offers two “Wellbeing Floors,” featuring Delos air filters and Mirror devices for streaming workout and yoga sessions. A 24/7 fitness center features Peloton bikes, and an indoor pool is adjacent. The on-site Carmel Bar offers light bites and full meals throughout the day. thestamfordhotel.com

New and Updated Vermont Hotels

THE BRATTLEBORO, Brattleboro

Serenity is the watchword at The Brattleboro, splendidly nestled within its woodsy 32-acre property just minutes from downtown Brattleboro’s shops and restaurants. With only four suites— three kings and a queen—personal attention is assured. A three-season heated outdoor pool, year-round hot tub and sauna, and complimentary bicycles are among the amenities, as are yoga mats in each room (private yoga and meditation sessions can be arranged). There’s a wine and cheese hour each afternoon, and the 20° Bar serves martinis at exactly that temperature … Fahrenheit, of course. thebrattleboro.com

THE HERMITAGE INN, West Dover

Back again and more sumptuous than ever, the Hermitage Inn resumes its place as the premier overnight in the Mount Snow region. Some rooms in the inn’s main building, a beautifully preserved early-19th-century farmhouse, feature gas fireplaces, as do the four rooms in the Carriage House, where private front porches face the inn’s trout pond. A full breakfast is provided with all accommodations, and James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schlo is in charge of tavern and main dining room menus that make fine use of local ingredients. thehermitageinnvermont.com

QUINCY HOTEL, Enosburg Falls

What’s old is new again in Enosburg Falls, where the 1876 Quincy Hotel welcomes guests after a two-year renovation. Built as a railroad hotel, it stands alongside what is now the scenic Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail extending from Richford to St. Albans, and is steps away from the Enosburg Opera House, an 1892 gem hosting live music and theater. Accommodations include four one-bedroom and three two-bedroom suites, all with private bath, restored vintage furniture, and oversize windows. And, as in 1876, guests can watch the world—if not the trains—go by in rocking chairs on the porch and balcony. quincyhotelvermont.com

TÄLTA LODGE BLUEBIRD, Stowe

Tälta Lodge bills itself as a “boutique base camp,” and its Stowe location certainly does put guests in the middle of outdoor action and adventure. Stowe Mountain Resort’s alpine and Nordic trails are right in the neighborhood—and so are mountain bike rentals and trails, hiking links to the Long Trail, golf, and the 11-mile Stowe Recreation Path. Rooms, ranging from deluxe kings with patios to four-person bunk accommodations, are all equipped with gear storage in mind. There’s an indoor pool, a sauna, and— for après-whatever—an outdoor firepit. bluebirdhotels.com

New and Updated Rhode Island Hotels

ALOFT, Providence

Aloft is Marriott’s entry into downtown Providence’s hotel scene. Located in the Design District along the Providence River, and just a short walk from Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, Aloft offers airy, light-filled accommodations that excel in taking in urban vistas (the spacious river-view king rooms are a favorite). The hotel is pet-friendly and boasts a lobby bar with occasional live music, as well as the rooftop BluViolet, a popular watering hole for guests and locals alike. marriott.com

CHAMPLIN’S MARINA AND RESORT, Block Island

The 30-foot harbor depth and 140 slips at Champlin’s Marina and Resort, on Block Island’s Great Salt Pond, should accommodate just about any yacht cruising in from Monaco. After docking, check into one of Champlin’s 42 freshly renovated, nautically themed guest rooms, spread throughout five buildings on nine waterfront acres. There’s an outdoor pool, a full-service restaurant, and the Pier 76 double-deck bar, situated right over the water. champlinsresort.com

DYE HOUSE, Providence

Providence’s new Dye House hotel used to be, well, a dye house. Located in the Olneyville neighborhood on Providence’s west side, this one-time component of American Woolen Mills is a luxurious study in adaptive reuse of an industrial space. There are just four guest accommodations, including The Loft, a suite that includes, along with sleeping quarters, indoor and outdoor gourmet kitchens and seating for 14 diners. The other three are designed as more intimate lodgings (though one has a kitchenette), and all include sleek, locally made furnishings. dyehouseri.com

SHEPHERD’S RUN, South Kingstown
It’s a winery, and a boutique lodging. Shepherd’s Run was once a summer residence; today, much of its 36 acres are planted in vines yielding a taste of the Ocean State’s terroir. None of the 10 guest rooms in the Norman Romanesque manor house are identical in layout; all are bright and airy, and feature a mix of modern and vintage furnishings. Tops is a two-bedroom suite overlooking the vineyard. A light breakfast is served, and wine tastings—and, of course, purchases—are offered. shepherds.run