Delamar West Hartford

"Why book? For the newest and nicest digs (not to mention the best restaurant) this side of the Connecticut River. Set the scene Nestled between West Hartford’s Trout Brook and the shiny new developments of Blue Back Square—condos, restaurants, and shops of all sizes—sits the newest Connecticut Delamar property. Unlike its low-to-the-ground, country club-esque predecessors found down south in Greenwich and Southport, this hotel is a new, six-floor building that nonetheless looks suitably weathered and classic with its Chateau-style stone facade and canted roof. The lobby has an embarrassment of windows, a rarity in my travels, with bountiful places to perch and work while basking in that natural light. Eminently popular with business travelers—Hartford being the insurance capital of the world—you’ll find plenty of professionals quietly milling about before and between meetings, their skittish energy on display in the early morning at the hotel’s excellent breakfast. The backstory Entrepreneur Charles Mallory got into hotels over two decades ago, when he plucked up a motel in his hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut and turned it into the Delamar Greenwich Harbor, bringing luxury hospitality to the state in the process. His Greenwich Hospitality Group went on to open a similar Southport location in 2009, but this development in West Hartford—new build, far North, fully urban rather than sub—was a step out of the brand’s comfort zone. And yet the spirit prevails—if the prior two properties are homesteads furthering Mallory’s mission, Delamar West Hartford is the fortress. The rooms At once cleanly contemporary and snugly plush—creamy linens, blue and coral accents. The hotel is pet-friendly, with a $50 surcharge for each animal spending the night. On the sixth floor lie some permanent residences, with a secret code pushed out on the elevator’s buttons required for access, and here you’ll also find the two-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot Pauline suite (basically an apartment, with a fully functioning kitchen, sitting room, and washer-dryer.) Food and drink Anyone who grew up in Fairfield County is familiar with flagship Artisan restaurant, located within the Delamar Southport. While the strength of all strengths there is seafood, fare at this entry from French chefs Michael Gaia and Frederic Kieffer is hearty and autumnal—not to be missed in particular is the braised rabbit campanelle (pasta made fresh in house) with baby carrots, confit fennel and tomato, and wilted greens. The spa The spa is tiny and often fully-booked up, and for good reason. Overseen by Mallory’s wife, Georgette, the specialized treatments utilize her favored products of Biologique Recherche and Valmont. The neighborhood/area A walk along Trout Brook in autumn is certainly in order, but otherwise be sure to check out the shopping popping up in walking distance or venture further along the Connecticut Art Trail—more on that momentarily. The service White-glove but warm, and dazzlingly attentive. Accessibility ADA-compliant rooms can be booked upon request; every floor of the property is accessible via elevator. Anything left to mention? The Delamar properties are rolling out a slate of “key experiences” overseen by Fernando Alva Mirás, in which guests can enjoy chauffeured car trips throughout the area between May and November. These cars—I was driven in a Bentley 1941 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood, 1951 Bentley Mark II Countryman Radford, 1962, and Rolls Royce Phantom 7 Drophead Coupe to various destinations—come from Mallory’s personal collection and are so stunningly well-kept that you’d think they were brand new. Never before have I found myself so lavished with thumbs-ups from motorists, pedestrians, and construction workers. We take that aforementioned Bentley to the fabulous New Britain Museum of American Art, which is not to be missed while in the area—ask for Judy Silver if you have time for a tour." - Charlie Hobbs