Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

"The Mayflower Inn & Spa, which inspired the bed-and-breakfast in Gilmore Girls, rests grandly in Connecticut’s Litchfield County. A thoughtful, modern redesign by Celerie Kemble adds energy and wit to the inn’s New England vibe." - Nicholas DeRenzo

"A rustic-chic inn in Washington, Connecticut, offering a single tennis court surrounded by New England scenery, ideal for a laid-back tennis experience."

"Why book? This grand hotel recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a new look that feels fresh yet timeless at the same time. This is the ultimate bucolic New England getaway for families, couples, and groups of friends. Set the scene The Mayflower Inn & Spa is in Litchfield County, Connecticut—a stunning area of New England that still feels like somewhat of a secret, though urbanites have been moving here for some time, in search of a place that’s close to New York City and Boston but has both outdoor space and city comforts. The resort itself attracts a similar crowd of New Yorkers and New Englanders looking for a weekend getaway where there’s something for everyone—fantastic food, outdoor activities, and an unforgettable spa. The backstory In late 2020, the Mayflower—now part of the Auberge Resorts Collection—unveiled a total renovation in celebration of its 100th anniversary, led by designer Celerie Kemble. Kemble’s redesign is, in a word, playful. The stately hotel still looks grand and impressive from the exterior, with its manicured gardens and white lounge chairs. But inside is a property updated for what we’re looking for when we travel now: fun. The common spaces are places to linger, from the yellow parlor room to the quiet library. The aesthetic doesn’t sound like it would work on paper—mustard yellow walls, striped couches, tasseled chairs, a gallery wall of floral prints, and antique furniture. But thanks to Kemble’s careful vision, it gets pulled together into a relaxing space where there's always a new detail to catch your eye. The rooms The rooms pop with color, thanks to bright throws, eye-catching rugs, and botanical prints. Our room was large and spacious, with a canopied king bed, walk-in closet, and large bathroom with his and hers sinks, a tub, and a shower. There was plenty of space for all of our bags and a Pack ‘n’ Play, which the property provided alongside a special touch—baby products from new brand Paloroma. Food and drink April Bloomfield's menu is all about garden-fresh produce, from the burrata and pistachio starter to the farmer’s choice vegetable sides. The New York–based chef has taken over the all-day hotel restaurant, called the Tap Room. Some standout dishes included the chilled corn soup with lump crab, the cauliflower tikka masala, and the battered fish sandwich. For dessert, the move is to head outdoors for s'mores by the fire pits, which are some of the best seats in the house. Bloomfield oversees the resort’s culinary activities too, like a fireside supper for two and a special picnic basket to take on a scenic hike. The spa The most impressive update is to the spa house, now a collaboration with The Well, a multipurpose wellness concept based in New York City. The original bones of the spa house remain—a stunning indoor pool and jacuzzi room, and a chef’s table for private dinner and a sitting room. But between Kemble’s understated redesign and The Well’s cutting edge treatments, it's the ideal space to spend a day. You can’t go wrong with any of the treatments, which range from facials and massages to energy work and a lunar sound bath. The neighborhood/area Litchfield County is an absolute gem, with plenty of farm tours, hikes, and antiques shops in downtown Washington. Don’t miss the famous ice cream at Arethusa Farms, and grab a sandwich at The Smithy Cafe at 9 Main for something more substantial. The service The service at Mayflower was impeccable. The team goes out of their way to look after guests, from suggesting off-peak hours at the spa for a pool visit to finding laptop-friendly spaces for those who are working remotely. For families The resort couldn’t be more family- and pet-friendly. On our visit, the property was peppered with multi-generational groups and couples with their pups. There’s an incredibly welcoming feel, and no staffer blinks an eye at accommodating a baby or rowdy teens. Anything left to mention? The property has plenty of experiences for guests, from a hot air balloon ride to bike trips and whiskey tastings. These are appealing if you’re staying for awhile, but there’s also plenty to keep you preoccupied on the hotel’s grounds. The family-friendly pool is fantastic, with drinks and bites for those who want to camp out there all day, and there’s plenty to explore, from the chef’s garden to the American Poet’s Maze on-site. \" - Stephanie Wu

"Nestled within the Connecticut countryside, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, is just a two-hour drive from NYC. The 58-acre inn boasts manicured gardens, meticulously curated interiors, and a culinary program helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jose Ramírez-Ruiz, and its romantic atmosphere is only enhanced when the property gets a fresh dusting of snow. The spa brings the best of The Well — body treatments, beauty services, fitness programs, personal care products, and all — to Mayflower. It features a hammam as well as holistic, Eastern-inspired wellness programming." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"If the only part of Connecticut you have seen is adjacent to I-95, it’s time to go deeper. Take the off-ramp and find a New England of stone walls, spectacular old barns, and winding lanes, a vibe that reaches its crescendo in Litchfield County. The local landscape is the Yankee ideal—you almost expect to see a sharply dressed young Katharine Hepburn walking briskly with a leatherbound book under her arm. (Because the area’s only 2.5 hours from Manhattan, you may actually see some celebrities here, and maybe some ghosts, but no guarantees of celebrity Yankee ghosts.) Against that backdrop, the Mayflower Inn & Spa grandly rests, a boarding school that was bought and converted to an inn in 1920 by a former student. In 2018, luxury hotel group Auberge Resorts took the reins and brought in interior designer Celerie Kemble to reinforce the “new” in Mayflower’s New England vibe. Four-poster beds, gleaming wood floors, and chintz remain, but you’ll note an energy and wit to the handmade furniture, artwork, and color combinations. Auberge also imported the Well, a bespoke New York spa that combines Eastern and Western sensibilities. The other recent import? April Bloomfield, the renowned British chef who rose to fame through the kitchens of London’s River Café and New York’s the Spotted Pig, John Dory Oyster Bar, and the Breslin. Chef Bloomfield arrived at the Mayflower Inn during the pandemic to take part in a new residency for notable chefs. She quickly forged relationships with local farmers and purveyors (the prosperous northwest Connecticut region traffics in all manner of good taste) and began to shape menus that served the appetites of the ascetic-minded spagoers as well as the guests there to indulge in the inn’s two restaurants, the casual Tap Room and the fine dining venue, the Garden Room. Fans of Bloomfield’s time at the Breslin and the Spotted Pig will be pleased to see the deviled eggs have made the trip to the Tap Room menu, alongside country pâté served with a seasonal chutney. Depending on the time of year, the more veg-focused Garden Room may offer a pickled celery encased in a tempura crust for starters with a main course of a duck breast in smoked broth, alongside a wine-poached pear. Chef Bloomfield also oversaw an expansion of the property’s kitchen garden, which inspired another collaboration—this one with luxury champagne house Veuve Clicquot. Throughout 2022, Bloomfield’s Garden Gastronomy series will showcase at-peak ingredients from the kitchen garden by pairing them with Veuve’s most recent vintage, La Grande Dame 2012." - Ann Shields