The Best Resorts in Connecticut, USA

A dream destination for those craving a wellness retreat, this beautiful country hotel in Washington, Connecticut, is resplendent, complete with 58 acres (23ha) of landscaped gardens and woodland. Head to the tennis court or indoor pool, or join one of the daily yoga, barre or meditation classes. Also, there are workshops in everything from skin health to acupuncture, and treatments include reiki, reflexology and exclusive micropuncture facials. There are also hiking trails nearby, a cozy wood-paneled library, a renowned farm-to-table restaurant and a casual pub.

In Old Saybrook, this charming yellow inn may not have water slides and kids’ clubs, but it’s a gloriously grown-up resort for anyone who loves good food, pampering and old-fashioned elegance. There’s live music on the terrace in the summer months, an all-day restaurant dishing up New England seafood classics, a full-service spa, a steam room, a sauna, a whirlpool and two pools.

Loved by visiting New Yorkers, this stylish Greenwich Harbor retreat is part of a small Connecticut hotel chain; it’s also within walking distance of the acclaimed Bruce Museum. The property itself has 82 rooms and suites, many of which have private balconies overlooking the marina and the hotel’s 500ft (152m) of private dockage. Elsewhere, there’s a library serving tea and coffee, a spa with a nail salon, boat trips from the harbor and L’Escale for caviar, piles of seafood on ice and prime New York steak.

There’s no need to leave this idyllic property on Long Island Sound’s northern shore. Here, spend your days lazing on a perfect private beach, popping into the spa for deep-tissue massages or sipping cocktails on your private balcony looking out to sea. After dark, head to the on-site fine-dining restaurant, the Wharf, for an award-winning farm-to-table menu, or sample a range of craft beers on tap in the adjoining bar.

Sandwiched between two lakes on 30 acres (12ha) in northwestern Connecticut, this sprawling resort is heaven for outdoorsy types. Go to the lake for kayaking and swimming. There are also sculpture gardens for strolling, a basketball and volleyball court, a nine-hole golf course next door, a tennis court and a game room with a pool table, ping-pong and air hockey. If you prefer to take things easy, stick to the on-site spa and restaurant, renowned for its Sunday brunch.

With 113 acres (46ha) of beautiful Litchfield Hills countryside outside your door, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy at this upmarket estate. Try hiking, bocce ball or croquet. Alternatively, rent a mountain bike, or book treatments at the spa. There’s a wine cellar stocked with 500 labels, a hotel car to borrow and a 40ft swimming pool among the meadows. The 18 unique cottages are showstoppers, too, with lavish themed decor, jetted soaking tubs and fireplaces.

There’s no chance of getting hungry at this classic resort with a private beach in Westbrook. Dining options include a bistro serving hearty classics, a fine-dining Italian restaurant and a cafe offering Starbucks coffee, ice cream and pastries, while the hotel’s Sunday brunch buffet is the stuff of local legend. Elsewhere, there are indoor and outdoor pools, two tennis courts, a gym and a spa, along with nightly live entertainment.

Wine lovers will be spoiled rotten at this hotel near Litchfield Hills, as it has a vineyard growing chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon grapes. Non-drinkers won’t be left out either, with a nine-hole golf course, two heated saltwater swimming pools, a huge athletic club and spa, along with several dining options, including an old-fashioned New England pub. If that’s not enough, Quassy Amusement and Waterpark, an antiquing trail and hiking trails are nearby.

Bring all the family to this luxurious Rhode Island retreat, steps from the sand and minutes from Connecticut. Children will love playing on the beach and the seasonal kids’ club. There are also surfing lessons, tennis classes, movie screenings (with popcorn, naturally) and the Mystic Aquarium nearby. Grown-ups will be equally entertained with wine tastings, yoga classes and art tours, along with an opulent 12,000sqft (1,115sqm) spa, beach butler service and complimentary Mercedes-Benz rentals.

Check-in and chill out at this spa resort in Norwich, set in 42 acres (17ha) of beautiful gardens with fountains, spring-fed ponds and century-old oak trees. The 49 guest rooms date back to the inn’s opening in 1929 and have spa amenities and bathrobes for taking it easy post-massage. But the spa is the real draw, with 27 treatment rooms, fitness classes, an indoor pool, a steam room and a range of wellness classes.