Welcome to Hotels and Getaways

The words New England conjure up images of ivy-covered Colonial homes, fall foliage, antique shops, and quaint villages right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. This region, which encompasses the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, is all of that and much more. A visit to the region offers everything from spectacular scenery to some of the most fascinating historic sites in the United States.

A trip to Boston, New England’s largest city, is a staple of any tour of the region. After exploring the historic sites of the city and surrounding area, you can head to Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard for a seaside experience. Perhaps you want to enjoy the scenery of rural New England. If so, drive along Route 7 through Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont and you’ll find plenty of fall foliage and quirky villages to enjoy. Another option include exploring the coastal towns of Maine, where you’ll find lighthouses dotted along the rugged shoreline.

Well-known travel writer Karen Brown has explored New England thoroughly and created several superb itineraries, all of which are detailed in her guidebooks and on her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel. Each year her readers also vote for the top lodging choices and the following are New England’s award winners.

For a romantic retreat, the Lodge at Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine, is sure to put the spark back into your relationship. Voted by Karen Brown readers as New England’s “Most Romantic” lodging, this inn affords excellent views of its namesake lake, as well as the distant mountains. You might even see moose splashing in the water. There are five rooms in the main lodge, each decorated with a different theme. There are also four suites in the carriage house. One spectacular example is the Allagash Suite, which includes a queen bed suspended from the ceiling by boom chains that date back to the logging days of the 19th century. The room also includes a bathtub surrounded by river rock and a private deck boasting lake views.

If you want to truly experience New England charm, a trip to Vermont is a must. At Maple Leaf Inn in Barnard, you’ll find plenty of this signature charm, from the antiques to the hand-stenciled walls. Beautiful, hand-made quilts top the king-size beds in the guest rooms. Most the rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Homemade gourmet breakfasts are served by candlelight in the inn’s dining room at cozy tables for two.

Chosen for the “Greatest Value” award by Karen Brown readers, the Whaler’s Inn in Mystic, Connecticut, offers reasonably priced accommodations spread among several different buildings, some of which are historic. Several suites and rooms include a fireplace or a view of the Mystic River. The inn has a four-star restaurant, which serves up Italian specialties for lunch and dinner. The inn is just a block from the Mystic River, and close to shops, museums and the local aquarium.

If you wish to pamper yourself beyond compare, The Wauwinet, a luxurious inn on Nantucket Island will be sure to please. The inn, which was chosen by Karen Brown readers as New England’s best “Splendid Splurge,” is located at the edge of the sea and borders a nature preserve. The romantic rooms and cottages are luxuriously appointed with fine linens, antiques and even fresh wildflowers. Some rooms offer stunning views of the bay. Guests can walk along the shore or take a sea trip aboard the Wauwinet Lady. There is a full-service spa and an award-winning, gourmet restaurant. Guests can go fishing, take a cooking class or take an eco-tour of the Great Point Wildlife Preserve, and these are just a few of the many activities one can enjoy at the Wauwinet.