Blue – Inn on the Beach

"Does Blue – Inn on the Beach live up to its name?To find a hotel that qualifies as more "beachfront" than Plum Island's charming Blue Inn, you'd probably have to be in the water. Located on a quiet end of the beach, the hotel has Ocean View suites that open directly onto the dunes. Who else will be there?Despite its extraordinary location, the Blue Inn manages to avoid throngs of tourists. You're more likely to encounter native New Englanders on a staycation here than rowdy out-of-towners. Given the choice, where should we be staying here?While it might set you back a bit more, go ahead and book an oceanfront suite—watching the sun rise over the water from the comfort of your bed will be worth every penny. The decor is refreshing, coastal-feeling, modern, and, well, mostly blue. What are the highlights of the rooms?Most rooms come with private decks, or balconies and fireplaces. Not that you'll be in your room much; the inn has a beachside hot tub, where all the action goes down; never mind the beach itself. Wifi is fast and free. We might not be in our room much, but say we're craving a night in—what are our dining options?The property has only 13 guest rooms and a handful of cottages, so staff is able to offer each guest undivided attention, whether it's delivering breakfast to your room—croissants, coffee, overnight oats, and fruit in an adorable lobster trap—or making tips about where to grab dinner in town. We're road-tripping from Boston. Where do we leave the car?Each room comes with a dedicated parking spot—a crucial perk in an area where parking can be tricky. Bottom line: worth it, and why?This painfully cute seaside inn makes a compelling case for turning your day trip to Newburyport into an overnight. That way, you can stay late at dinner in town and not worry about hauling back to the city—and when you wake up, you'll most likely have the entire beach to yourself." - Todd Plummer