Editors' Picks

Mayflower Inn & Spa

dreamy, countryside-chic, spa

118 Woodbury Road, Washington 06793

860-868-9466

See Website

Indagare Adored

At a Glance

Just a two-hour drive from New York City (and under three from Boston), Mayflower Inn & Spa is a bucolic, restorative retreat that makes for an easy East Coast getaway for couples or friends. Set among 58 acres of Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, the recently renovated 35-room inn—managed by the Auberge Resorts Collection—is at once charming and elegant, rustic and refined. And at this quintessential New England property, guests can explore their surroundings by setting out on nature treks, birding walks and fly-fishing excursions, or begin a full-on self-care reset with the guidance of a health coach, specific spa treatments and East-meets-West healing practices at THE WELL, the world-renowned spa. They can also just opt to relax with a cup of tea or a glass of natural wine and spend an afternoon by the fire or the pool (depending on the season) with a parlor game or a good book. After the sun goes down, guests can also channel their inner child with specially curated DIY s’mores kits at firepits in multiple locations on the property.

**The Standout:**THE WELL, the 2,000-square-foot spa that offers an innovative take on holistic health

**Don't Miss:**Reconnect at THE WELL —four hours of spa therapy: a body treatment, integration massage, facial and soak, followed by a leisurely lunch

Indagare Loves

  • Celerie Kemble’s gorgeous recent renovations
  • The restaurant, overlooking the hotel lawn and Shakespeare-inspired garden, with its seasonal farm-to-table menu
  • The excellent service, which expertly strikes a balance between attentive and laid-back

Review

When the founders began to design Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut, in the 1990s, they traveled the world looking for inspiration. But in the end, they decided to create a destination hotel and spa that would center on and celebrate the surrounding landscape. And celebrate it does, from the huge windows that blur the lines between the cosseting interior and the countryside to the market-driven menu that makes the most of seasonal produce from nearby farms.

Now managed by the Auberge Resorts Collection, the property's 35 rooms and suites are spacious and luxurious, with over-the-top furnishings and amenities, including Frette linens, flat-screen TVs and WiFi. Many beds are antique four-posters draped in silk, and sit in front of fireplaces surrounded by stocked bookshelves. Bathrooms have double marble sinks, mahogany wainscoting, enormous soaking tubs, steam showers and are graciously stocked full of custom-made Mayflower Apothecary products by Prima Fleur. Plus there's the blissful silence of the property and the exhaustion that comes from spending the day walking, breathing fresh air and having at least one spa treatment.

The 20,000-square-foot spa shares the 58-acre grounds, but is set a short walk from the inn and feels nicely separated. From the outside, it has the same aesthetic, but the inside is a revelation. The heart of the place is the Garden Room, with an entire wall of 14-foot high windows overlooking pine trees and Blue Heron Pond. Everywhere there is beauty and balance. The walls are painted the palest eggshell blue, with plush white armchairs, chenille blankets, shimmering mercury glass and exquisite art, most notably a giant De Kooning on the wall. Equally lovely are the sunny yoga and Pilates studio, the eight treatment rooms, two steam rooms, the hammam-like “thermal sanctuary” and the heated indoor pool, which is surrounded by paned windows.

In summer months, the property's highlights are the serene pool (with food and beverage service available), tennis court and putting green. In winter, guests cuddle up by fireplaces and in cozy nooks in the main building, like the leather armchair–filled library. The restaurant is the kind of place you could imagine spending hours at a time, watching the light change color and gazing into the adjacent Shakespeare garden, filled with plants and flowers mentioned and discussed by the Bard. This is the kind of place that manages to successfully marry charm and a relaxed nature with efficiency. While children are allowed, this is the kind of place you want to visit with your partner or a good friend, and let yourself sink in. It will be hard to leave, but you can think about that another day.

Indagare Tip

Litchfield County is notorious for its lack of cell service. If staying in constant cell phone contact is important, you may find yourself frustrated with the spotty signal.

Read Indagare's tips on where to dine and shop and what to see and do in Litchfield County.

Who Should Stay

Couples or friends looking for a refined New England getaway.

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