Tucked away in the picturesque New England town of Washington, CT you find the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection. An easy 2 hours' drive from New York City, 2 1/2 hours from Boston, and 1 hour from Hartford, Mayflower Inn & Spa is a perfect country escape. Connecticut's Northwestern corner, Litchfield County, is known for meticulously restored historic homes, classic New England village greens, and is pure heaven for antique seekers. Long a popular escape for wealthy city slickers with a passion for creativity, their transplanted influence has elevated and diversified the art and food scene in the area. (You can almost play a game of "count the Range Rovers" for fun!). There is something for everyone, from art galleries, to hiking, to shopping, to cozy farm to table restaurants.
The Mayflower Inn is a gabled manor house set on 58 acres, with 30 rooms configured between their main house and their three stand alone cottages. During a recent "break" in 2020, while folks paused traveling, Mayflower's leadership team took the opportunity to refresh and raise the bar on an already beloved boutique property. Tapping interior designer Celerie Kemble's talent, Mayflower Inn reopened its doors in summer 2020 with a perfect balance of tradition and whimsy. Careful not to alienate their long-standing loyal guests while also attracting first time guests, Kemble mixes Victorian wicker with patterned wall coverings, French antiques with contemporary artwork, and modern floor patterns with traditional fringes. If you love Tilton Fenwick's fresh looks and pattern overlays (like we do!), than you will equally love Kemble's transformation of Mayflower Inn.
Walk through the front door of the house, and you enter the foyer. No formal reception area, simply a small nook where guests are greeted with a glass of wine or bubbles. Have a seat by the fireplace and your room keys are handed to you (no key cards here).
Tip: For a cozy romantic getaway, you may enjoy the Main House. However for a girls' spa weekend or a family vacation, the individual cottages provide space to stretch out while being only a 60 second walk back to the Main House or to the spa facilities.
The Main House has three floors, with bedrooms on the top two floors, and public spaces on the first floor. Rooms are spacious, with welcoming and plush bedding, bright and modern bathrooms. Johanna Howard alpaca throws entice you to enjoy a nap and be lazy for a while.
Tip: For the best views of the gardens, request a room on the 3rd (top) floor.
What's So Special
Mayflower Inn is a year round retreat. In Summer months, the outdoor pool is open, the gardens are impeccably manicured, and the croquet lawn is active. Spring brings blossoming wildflowers in the area, and Fall brings some of the country's most stunning foliage. Do not discount winter! With fireplaces in most public spaces, there are several cozy rooms to sit and have a glass of wine or play a game of backgammon. In the evening, firepits are lit and s'mores are available. The country sky illuminates with stars, and without the competition of city lights.
It's the little touches that make Mayflower Inn unique and full of surprises. Welcoming you on the front porch is their collection of Hunter wellies. No need to get your loafers dirty hiking, you can borrow a pair of Hunters to explore. Upon entry in your room, local amenities welcome you, like honeycomb from local bees or local bourbon from Litchfield Distillery up the road. While Auberge Resorts is an international hotel company, they do an amazing job capturing the soul of each destination.
While it may seem trivial to some, as a woman with long straight hair, we often put hotels through the "hair dryer test". Mayflower Inn passes with 5 stars! No wall-mounted, low voltage appliance here...we appreciate Mayflower Inn's commitment to quality in all facets of the guest experience.
Be Active...or Not
A recent partnership with New York City's THE WELL now excels wellness at Mayflower Inn beyond just a massage. With a philosophy of "modern science meets ancient wisdom" THE WELL leads Mayflower Inn guests on a wellness journey. In addition to traditional spa treatments, THE WELL offers a team of doctors, yoga instructors, and nutrition experts to deliver an innovative and holistic approach to spa treatments.
With 58 acres of land, Mayflower Inn has the good fortune to spread out and offer top notch facilities. THE WELL is housed in a 20,000 separate building, about a 2 minute walk up the hill from the Main House (there is a shuttle if you prefer). Guided meditation is offered, yoga in their studio, skin health workshops, and more traditional massages and facials can be reserved.
If you prefer a more conventional experience, hop on the Peleton bike, work out in the gym, swim laps in the indoor pool, or perfect your swing on the tennis court.
Tip: Want to try something totally different? Reserve an outdoor Forest Craniosacral massage. With light touch between your head, spine & sacrum, your therapist works to restore your balance and energy. "From the earth to the skies, we root to rise" is the mantra of this experience.
Leaving the 58 Acres for a Bit
After a yummy breakfast of homemade pastries and farm fresh eggs, there is plenty to explore within minutes of Mayflower Inn. Adults enjoy antique shopping, visiting galleries, vineyards, and hikes. Children enjoy visiting local farms and nature centers, skiing at Mohawk Mountain and swimming in nearby lakes and rivers. Here are some of our favorites:
Sunset Meadow Vineyards is about 20 minutes from Mayflower Inn, in Goshen CT. Sunset Meadow Vineyards is a family owned vineyard which offers a range of award-winning red and white wines. They are among New England's largest producing vineyards and they sit on about 50 acres in the Litchfield Hills. Check their website for details about visiting their tasting room.
Hidden Valley Preserve offers some of the most popular hiking trails in the area. Located about a 5 minute drive from Mayflower Inn, this preserve encompasses 725 acres of densely wooded trails, alongside the meandering river and with about 15 miles of trails to explore. We love the hanging bridges!
Arethusa Farm counts over 300 dairy cows on their land. Historically a dairy farm, a local family purchased the farm in the late 1990s and restored it back to its glory and production. Those well cared for cows produce some of the cleanest and richest milk, which additionally helps Arethusa Farm craft delicious ice cream, butter, and cheese. Stop by their farm store in Bantam for a wedge of cheese or a waffle cone of ice cream.
For foodies, book a table at the Farm's restaurant Arethusa al Tavolo. Under the guidance of Chef Dan Magill, this intimate and smart casual restaurant showcases all the freshness of the farm. The most challenging part of the dining experience? Determining what to order since EVERYTHING is amazing. Their craft cocktails are fabulous too; on a cold winter night their Manhattan made with Litchfield Bourbon kept us warm during our outdoor dining.
Elli Travel Rates are Always the Same as Published Rates.
Book with your Elli Travel Advisor or email vacations@ellitravel.com to unlock the following complimentary benefits at Mayflower Inn:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full Breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Photo credits attributed to @ellitravellarchmont
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