These 11 Upscale B&B’s, Inns, and Hotels in the Northeast US passed the Getaway Mavens test for Covid-safety and luxury.
Traveling during Covid doesn’t have to be a whole big odyssey. It can just be a short jaunt to Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, or Virginia, depending on where you live. But, if you intend to stay overnight, your lodging does have to be safe, with Covid protocols in place.
I visited each one of these personally, and can attest to the care taken to ensure a safe, and of course, chic, splurgy experience. With the virus surging, and things changing daily, however, it’s worth noting that you should check with each property before traveling.
Need more ideas? Check out our compete list of Most Romantic Hotels in Connecticut here.
Connecticut
Delamar Southport CT
Since summer, many New Yorkers have been weathering the pandemic by escaping to this small, clean, friendly, art-filled inn a few miles from Norwalk CT. First conceived as residences built in “New England style,” this Delamar was refashioned as a 43-room, pet-friendly, luxury hotel in 2010. Rooms are clean and lovely, and the perfect place to simplify and hunker down. On-site restaurant, Artisan, is top-notch, and, even if you just burrow in and work out of your room, it’s a change of pace. Consult this post for more to do in Norwalk CT and environs.
The Blake Hotel, New Haven
The Blake, named after Alice Blake – the very first female graduate of Yale Law School (1886) – has added extended-stay panache to downtown New Haven CT. Its vast lobby, with its clusters of seating and work surfaces, seems out of whack in this Covid – era. The room was envisioned as a place where friends, family, and colleagues could gather in smaller groups. Now, its expanse is perfectly suited for breezing through on your way to your fashionably dressed, Covid-safe suite. In season, the rooftop lounge/restaurant, High George (on the corner of High and George Streets), became the place to be in town. It will again, but in the meantime, plan to take out at a myriad of restaurants nearby, or whip something up in your own galley kitchen. For plenty of ideas, check out this Getaway Mavens New Haven CT post.
Delamar Hotel, West Hartford
Those with a thirst for travel and shopping, will want to book a splendidly decorated room at the artsy Delamar West Hartford, smack within the city’s shopping/dining district. With 112 rooms, this is the largest and latest Delamar in the 4-hotel group, built from the ground up in 2017. Lobby exhibits and furnishings verge on the theatrical and fun. Dine outside at the innovative hotel restaurant, Artisan, with tables set within an enchanted garden.
The Goodwin, Hartford
Built as an antidote to the formulaic hotels in Connecticut’s Capital City, the stunning Beaux-Arts red brick Goodwin Hotel stands out in the center of downtown Hartford’s high-rise office buildings. What’s inside is just as unique as the exterior. In 1881, the Goodwin Brothers built it as a prestigious apartment building, near Bushnell Park – just a short stroll away. For more information about Hartford and West Hartford check out this post.
New York
Forsyth B&B, Lower Kingston (Rondout) NY
A mention in Vogue Magazine propelled this small, stylish B&B, on a side street in Lower Kingston NY, into fandom territory. Custom cocktails on arrival, gourmet breakfast, trendy rooms, plus peace and quiet: the Forsyth B&B deserves all the hype and more. Check out this post for additional information on Kingston NY.
Inn at Pine Plains, Pine Plains NY
From the outside, the seven-room Inn at Pine Plains is as unassuming as it gets. Once inside, though, it’s another story. Cool kitschy artifacts and pictures seem haphazardly scattered about, but on closer inspection, have been lovingly curated. Tidy, cool, candy-colored rooms are designed for relaxation. This is a true, charming, upscale boutique inn, and a nest of hospitality in this obscure, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Northern Dutchess NY burg. For more on the area – read our Northern Dutchess County NY post.
Pennsylvania
STAY: Aaron Burr House, New Hope
During Covid-times, if you’ve got the travel bug, but don’t want to encounter the virus bug, find a place like the warm and welcoming (and surprisingly chic) Aaron Burr House in New Hope PA. Now a luxury B&B, the Aaron Burr House has an infamous draw. As the home of the town doctor in the early 1800’s, it’s where Burr purportedly fled after he fatally shot Alexander Hamilton. Private and common rooms stand out with boldly colored walls and eclectic furniture. Owner, Lisa Pretecrum, is a master of stove and oven – with breakfast and treats that will keep you coming back. More on New Hope PA here.
Allenberry Resort, Carlisle/Boiling Springs
Mornings at the Allenberry Resort are atmospheric, shrouded in mist that lifts to reveal shards of sunlight illuminating the farmland property. Legend has it that Davey Crocket’s uncle, James Crocket, first settled this land along Yellow Breeches Creek, the current location of this resort known largely, for its cherished Playhouse Theater. In fact, Crocket’s limestone home, The Still House, remains, and is just one of the structures that has been renovated from timeworn to upscale in recent years. Check out this post for more about Carlisle and Cumberland Valley PA.
Virginia
Hopewell House B&B, Strasburg
Hopewell House owners, Alice Muellerweiss and Kevin Watson, are avid bicyclists who love nothing more than hosting fellow road trekkers in their Shenandoah County VA B&B. With wraparound porch, stunning interior woodwork, a fireplace, and Victorian period furnishings, it’s both homey and elegant, with rich touches. The Muellerweiss’s greets guests with a warm, infectious enthusiasm for both their home and the region. Oh, and Alice’s baked goods and breakfasts will fuel you right up for a great day of back-road exploring. Consult this Getaway Mavens post for more to do in Shenandoah County VA.
Holladay House, Orange
James Madison’s grand-nephew, John Madison Chapman, built this in-town home in 1830 (with additions in 1910 and 1970), borrowing some architectural elements from his Great Uncle’s home three miles up the road. The young Sharon and Sam Elswick now preside over this handsome six-room inn, just a couple of blocks from the stores and restaurants in downtown Orange VA. Their attention and devotion to detail is evident in the beauty of each room and Sharon’s incredible breakfasts. Find more to do in Orange VA here.
Friendly City Inn, Harrisonburg
Legend has it that a northeastern ship’s captain fell in love with a Virginia debutante, and built this stone-and-shingle New England style cottage in 1885 for her. Inside, the woodwork is beautifully ship-shape. You can’t miss the sign for this stately stone mansion on a hill: Friendly City Inn in huge letters complete with towering American flag. It used to read “Stonewall Jackson Inn,” but young new owners, Joel and Becca Graham, changed the name to reflect their own mission and beloved town. The Getaway Mavens tell you all about Harrisonburg VA in this post.
ive never been but it is now on my bucket list! these photos are gorgous!