The Best Hotels to Book in Connecticut

Combining New England charm with an enviable position on the Connecticut shoreline, Westbrook Inn Bed and Breakfast is set in a Victorian home that was originally built in 1876 by a local sea captain. Today, it features 10 guest rooms with atmospheric period decor: think working fireplaces with ornately carved timber mantels, four-poster beds and prettily patterned floral wallpapers, where several rooms also feature kitchenettes. The common areas on the first floor – including a great room where breakfast is served and a Victorian library and parlor – have been restored to their former glory and offer the perfect spot to relax after a day by the water.

This boutique hotel in New Haven is named after Alice Blake, the first female graduate of Yale Law School – a nod to its proximity to Yale University and the forward-looking spirit of New Haven. The interiors are a celebration of local luxury and contemporary design – and the rooms and suites are just as suited to a weekend away as they are to an extended stay. Each of the 108 rooms features a convenient kitchenette, a comfy bed and a super stylish bathroom decked out with subway tiles and brass details. The High George rooftop bar serves American comfort food – such as burgers and rigatoni bolognese with whipped ricotta and basil – in a lush, plant-filled space, while the Hamilton Park restaurant offers tasty bar bites, like burrata with pistachios and honey on toast.

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown New Haven – just a block from Yale University – this affordable hotel offers five different room types. The King Guestroom has everything you need for a comfortable stay, but if you want a bit more space or are traveling with family or friends, book the Two Queen Bed Studio Suite. It features two queen beds, a full-size sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen with a cooktop and a spacious living room area with a work desk, making it ideal for extended stays. The expansive living room-style lobby offers another space for guests to relax – with a plush sofa by the fireplace and a communal table with built-in data ports and power outlets.

This resort – set on the point where the Connecticut River meets the Long Island Sound – is divided into the main hotel and several guesthouses. The waterfront Main Inn has 82 guest rooms ranging from cozy standard rooms to a luxurious one-bedroom suite, as well as a fitness center – and the Fresh Salt restaurant that serves up local delicacies such as lobster roll and clam chowder. There are also 14 unique rooms in two historic guest houses – Three Stories and Tall Tales – that can be rented out as entire holiday homes, sleeping up to 16 guests. The most unusual spot to stay, however, is the romantic Lighthouse Suite – situated in a lighthouse on the main dock, it boasts expansive views, a living room, dining area, kitchenette and private balcony.

If you’re searching for the best beaches in Connecticut, head to the town of Greenwich – where you’ll find Greenwich Point Park, Island Beach and a host of other attractions, including Great Captains Island Lighthouse. This hotel – overlooking the pretty Greenwich Harbor – has 82 rooms that are designed to evoke an elegant European-style beach retreat: think brightly patterned upholstery, ornately carved timber furnishings and sparkling chandeliers. There’s also 500ft (152m) of private dockage at the marina to enjoy. The ultimate indulgence, however, is found in the spa, which offers treatments such as the signature Four-Handed Delamar Massage.

The Spa at Norwich Inn is set on 42 acres (17ha) of spectacularly landscaped country grounds – which feature perennial gardens, ponds, century-old oak trees, fountains and an expansive deck where guests can relax and take it all in. There are 100 rooms and suites – as well as villas – that boast a full bath, galley kitchen, private balcony and living room with fireplace. The main attraction, though, is the award-winning spa: book a traditional massage or visit Paula, the hotel mystic for a Tarot and Super Soul Session that promises to help you make positive life changes.

Nestled on a secluded site on Connecticut’s picturesque Talcott Mountain, this independent boutique hotel feels a world away from city life – yet, it’s just a 10-minute drive to downtown Hartford. There are 20 acres (8ha) of manicured country grounds – with flower beds, mature trees, a gazebo and a small stream spanned by a pretty timber bridge. Inside, there are 156 rooms and suites decorated in a farmhouse-chic style, finished with four-poster beds, antique-style furniture and white ruffled linens. The award-winning Seasons Restaurant and Tap Room is decorated with artwork by local Avon artisans and offers hearty dishes – such as pan-seared salmon with rice pilaf, vegetable medley and peach glaze and a BBQ chicken chopped salad.

Furniture brand Ethan Allen has a distinct vision of American style – ranging from classic coastal and country chic to more contemporary pieces – and this vision is brought to life at the Ethan Allen Hotel in the bustling town of Danbury. The elegant interiors are decorated with the brand’s furniture to create a welcoming and elegant space, including signature Ethan Allen Supreme Comfort Mattresses in all rooms. Make sure to book a table at the award-winning 21 Lake Restaurant and Bar – which serves delicious classics such as baked chicken and a fried codfish sandwich in a bright conservatory.

This elegant beachfront spa resort from Hilton overlooks the Long Island Sound and is just a mile (1.2km) from Downtown Madison. It’s all about a relaxed coastal lifestyle here: the beach is just steps from the door and is home to open-air concerts and film festivals in the summer – plus the hotel offers guests complimentary use of beach chairs, umbrellas and towels, so you can pack light. There’s a choice of double and king rooms or the suite – while the rooms offer enviable water views, the ginormous suite has a private courtyard with a neighborhood view, a dining table, wet bar and a king-size wall bed that folds away when not in use, making it ideal for gatherings.