Recently opened in summer 2021, the Faraway Nantucket adds a fresh, trendy mix of luxe accommodations to the iconic island. The boutique hotel, nestled within four renovated houses, feels like a self-contained village on historic Centre Street in the heart of town. Rooms cluster around a lush courtyard, the central meeting place for guests to enjoy cocktails and conversation.
Inside, Sister Ship features a cheerful, brass-clad bar, as well as an inviting dining room that serves local fare. The décor is studded with treasures inspired by the seafaring life of Susan R. Bloomfield, captain of an all-female crew that sailed across the oceans in the 1800s. Sixty-two rooms and suites designed in inviting color schemes offer crisp, contemporary accommodations. One of the buildings, Roberts House, has the bonus of being pet-friendly. Two more buildings are being repurposed for additional dining spaces and common rooms.
Reservations: 855.976.1796. farawayhotels.com
Facing the East Coast’s only fjord, this 1884 grande dame offers ever-changing views on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island. For years, the long beloved but gently frayed Claremont Hotel, preening on a spit of land overlooking the merge of majestic Somes Sound with the Atlantic, was the spot where local kids clamored to work summers and returning visitors forgave the tired interiors. Now owned by visionary Kennebunkport hotelier Tim Harrington, the pristine inn has recently enjoyed a dramatic redo that boasts 53 accommodations, including 32 guest rooms, 12 stand-alone cottages, 6 suites, 2 signature houses, and a floating houseboat. Plus guests will enjoy stunning William Morris, Sister Parish, and Pierre Frey décor. Add in a heated pool, chic cabanas, and cosseting spa, and you can understand why local Mainers are still marveling at the wonder of it all. The inn also has it covered when it comes to food and drinks. Relax over cocktails in buzzy Harry’s Bar, or enjoy homemade goodies in cheerful Buttercup Bakery. Craving something heartier? Batson Fish Camp, located on the waterfront, features burgers, chowders, salads, and lobster rolls, while Little Fern Restaurant offers authentic coastal dining. And when it’s time to work off those calories, there are plenty of options such as yoga on the lawn, sea kayaking, boating, and croquet on a manicured court overlooking the water.
Closed October 24 to mid-May. Reservations: 207.244.5036 or reservations@theclaremonthotel.com. theclaremonthotel.com
Farther south, in the leafy Monadnock foothills of New Hampshire, a pristine eight-bedroom hostelry with a non-pareil kitchen has been discovered by die-hard foodies. Chef-owner Carolyn Hough and her husband, Charlie, opened Cranberry Meadow Farm in July 2020 after a complete redo of the 1797 Wilson Tavern that served as a stagecoach stop for years before it became a private residence. When the couple bought the 80-acre property, they were determined to turn it back into an inn. A year-long renovation involved refreshing every space, creating three new bathrooms and four sitting rooms, and expanding the kitchen with 20 additional feet. And, of course, Chef Carolyn added her superior culinary skills to the farm.
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Carolyn treats guests to remarkable breakfasts of homemade muffins, eggs from the inn’s chicken coop, garden-grown vegetables, and local maple bacon and other meats from nearby farms. She also whips up delectable picnic lunches and dinners upon request.
Accommodations at the inn beckon rest with serene grays augmented by high-end bed linens, along with spa-like bathrooms and complimentary robes lined in huggable lambswool. There’s also a fitness center and three common rooms boasting fireplaces. What better way to end the day than relaxing before a crackling fire knowing that another treat, à la Carolyn, is on its way?
Reservations: 603.784.5766 or cranberrymeadowfarm@gmail.com. cranberrymeadowfarminn.com
Less than an hour from Manhattan, yet seemingly a world away, lies a National Historic District on Connecticut’s leafy Silvermine River. The area is centerpieced by the old Silvermine Tavern that dates back to the 17th century when it was a stagecoach stop. The tavern later became a speakeasy and inn, known for its Sunday brunches. Droves of artists who couldn’t resist its carefree atmosphere hung around and eventually established the Silvermine Guild of Artists, the genesis for the existing arts center.
During the 1960s, Silvermine Tavern thrived as a classic country inn that magnetized the glam crowd of Lauren Bacall, Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, and Katharine Hepburn, among others. Along the way, it also became an idyllic wedding destination and jazz hot spot. In 2015, local developer Andrew Glazer bought the property and rebranded it as GrayBarns on the Silvermine River. The charming complex consists of an inn, cafe/shop, and tavern.
The classic, columned inn, which was the original tavern, features ample porches overlooking the Silvermine River. Inside, six spacious king suites offer contemporary style with a nod to the past by combining custom design elements with reclaimed wood and oak floors. Across the street, Mercantile at GrayBarns, which once functioned as a textile factory, is a newly renovated country store and café. Nearby, the Tavern at GrayBarns includes a vaulted-ceiling bar room and dining room with original fireplace and expansive waterside views. Culinary offerings draw on seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors. “Executive Chef Ben Freemole adds an unexpected—and delicious—twist to every dish,” says local resident and artist Daphne Chapin. It’s that extra touch that keeps guests coming back.
Inn reservations: 203.489.9000 or contact@graybarns.com. Tavern reservations: 203.580.1900 or reservations@graybarns.com. graybarns.com
By Marion Laffey Fox