The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Connecticut, USA

First impressions don’t get much better than at this stunning country retreat with 58 acres (23ha) of landscaped gardens and woodland in Washington, Connecticut. The interiors are equally stunning, with fireplaces galore, a formal restaurant serving farm-fresh dishes and a wood-paneled library. Each guest room features a four-poster bed, colorful rugs, printed wallpaper and sugar-sweet pastel shades. There’s also an exquisite spa, daily wellness workshops and meditation classes, along with all sorts of irresistible extras, including baskets of books for children, s’mores by the bonfire and guided hikes.

Luxury hotels in Connecticut come in many guises, especially at this country retreat in Litchfield Hills. From the antique-laden library cottage with a book-lined mezzanine to a swish treehouse 35ft (11m) above the forest, all 18 cottages and one master suite are unique and feature bags of character. Meals served in the 18th-century manor house are just as lavish, and there’s also a spa and 113 acres (46ha) of countryside for hiking, cycling, playing croquet or even soaring over in a hot-air balloon.

This handsome property in East Haddam is a cut above the average B&B. Built in 1860, the hotel combines discreet traditional charm with every modern comfort. Rooms have antique furniture and rugs, heated marble and limestone flooring, and silk curtains, and each one feels like a luxe hideaway. Book the garden suite for even more privacy – it’s on a private floor – complete with a porch, a separate sitting room and a 19th-century French gilded mirror.

Genteel elegance abounds in the Greenwich Harbor outpost of this small Connecticut luxury hotel chain. A favorite with visiting city types, the hotel sits above a marina with 500ft (152m) of private dockage and is within walking distance of beaches, parks and art museums. There’s a library serving tea and coffee all day, an upmarket spa with a nail salon, bicycle rentals and a restaurant with marina views, and boat trips just a few steps away, of course.

It’s all about relaxation at this delightful hotel within walking distance of the center of Madison. Set on the northern shore of the Long Island Sound, the property makes the most of its stunning sea views, so you can while away the hours gazing out into the sound. You won’t need to lift a finger either, as the staff will provide beach chairs, umbrellas and towels, book tables for the fine-dining restaurant and advise on top-notch treatments at the excellent Sounds of the Sea Spa.

Right across the street from the Yale School of Art, the Graduate Hotel channels Ivy League tradition with its antique art, complimentary bike rentals and fresh blue-and-white color scheme. The basics are taken care of, too. You’ll find locally made pastries and seasonal coffee offerings in Poindexter, the lobby cafe, along with craft beers, classic German pub dishes and handcrafted cocktails in Old Heidelberg, a local favorite.

It’s just an hour’s drive from New York City to the historic mansions, beaches and tranquil parks in Greenwich, Connecticut, and this Hyatt Regency in the heart of town is perfectly placed to explore them all. The hotel has 361 rooms and 12 spacious suites, with the latter featuring separate living rooms. Elsewhere, there’s a gift shop, car rental, an indoor heated swimming pool with a whirlpool and two restaurants, while a complimentary shuttle will whisk you to local attractions in Greenwich and Stamford.

This former apartment building from 1881 used to be banker JP Morgan’s favorite place to stay when he was in town, so it’s no surprise that it’s now a seriously plush boutique hotel. There are no dud rooms, with details including large HDTVs, cobalt blue chaise lounges and embossed ceilings, but if you can, splash out on one of the dazzling duplexes for more space. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio, a cocktail bar and an excellent Italian restaurant.

Get in the mood for campus tours or alumni events by staying at this laid-back hotel in the heart of Yale University’s Arts Campus in New Haven. Museums and theaters are right on the doorstep, while pictures of the campus adorn the walls. With its armchairs, daily newspapers and 24-hour cafe serving freshly baked treats, the book-lined library will entice you to relax for a while. Each room has a feather-topped bed, a leather recliner and a window-facing desk to inspire greatness; some even have campus views.

There are many reasons to head to postcard-pretty Salisbury to stay at the White Hart, but the on-site restaurant is the real draw for foodies. Serving gastropub classics and exceptional local produce, it’s fronted by chef Annie Wayte and has already picked up a clutch of awards. After a hearty meal, spoil yourself by checking into a swoon-worthy room with hardwood floors, a white marble bathroom and carved mahogany furniture. The bonus? You get to eat breakfast here the next day.