Lucky for New Englanders, relaxing at the best resorts in the US doesn’t require us to travel very far. Almost 165,000 Americans voted for their 15 favorite US resorts for a relaxing getaway, and nearly 30% of the list is properties in New England. All four of them are under three hours from Boston!
Top resorts in New England
Four of fifteen resorts selected as the best in the US are located in New England. Two of them being in Massachusetts, one in Maine and one in New Hampshire.
Quisisana Resort: Lovell, Maine (2 hours, 53 minutes from Boston)
The Quisisana Resort not only made the list but ranked as the fourth best resort in the US, according to Travel + Leisure readers! The resort is ideal for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts!
“This lakeside darling hosts nightly musical and theatrical entertainment, plus daytime activities including tennis, shuffleboard, golf, fishing, water skiing, and sailing,” writes Travel+Leisure.
In addition to ranking as the best resort in New England, and fourth best in the continental US, Quisisana Resort ranked 22 on a list of the “top 100 hotels in the world.”
The Wauwinet: Nantucket, Massachusetts (1 hour drive to Hyannis, 1 hour ferry to Nantucket)
This property is no stranger to those that frequent the island of Nantucket. It’s even featured in the queen of the summer novel, Elin Hilderbrand’s, books! Ironically, one Travel+ Leisure voter said, “I could write a book, read a book, and not be affected by the rest of the bustling island.” Guess Nantucket is the place to be for aspiring authors.
The oceanfront property offers “cozy, nautical-themed rooms, suites and stand-alone cottages.” Its also home to one of the island’s most refined dining experiences, Topper’s restaurant.
In addition to The Wauwinet, this new hotel on Nantucket is also a must-stay if visiting the island, and they’re adding a brand-new pool this spring!
Candleberry Inn: Brewster, Massachusetts (90-minute drive from Boston)
The 1790s manse turnerd bed-and-breakfast is a favorite for its outpouring of generosity from the current owners who go “above and beyond” to ensure a seamless stay. This gorgeous inn resort on Cape Cod offers the best of lighthouse crawls, whale-watching, and lovely dining options.
Pickering House Inn: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (110-minute drive from Boston)
The inn, built in 1813, was converted into a home for businessman Daniel Pickering in 1815. Daniel purchased the tavern from his brother, John. The inn since returned to its roots and now serves as a gorgeous property for guests to unwind in the 10-room boutique hotel. Lake Winnipesaukee is only a five-minute walk away.
Top 15 resorts in the US
According to Travel+Leisure, readers clearly value personalized service, meticulous hospitality, and a sense of immersion in the local community in their top resort picks.
- Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection: Park City, Utah
- Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection: Napa, California
- Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection: Aspen, Colorado
- Quisisana Resort: Lovell, Maine
- Hotel Walloon: Walloon Lake, Michigan
- Madeline Hotel and Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection: Telluride, Colorado
- Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa: Rancho Santa Fe, California
- Wylder Windham: Windham, New York
- Triple Creek Ranch: Darby, Montana
- The Wauwinet: Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Candleberry Inn: Brewster, Massachusetts
- Pickering House Inn: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
- The Madrona: Healdsburg, California
- Farmhouse Inn: Forestville, California
- San Ysidro Ranch: Santa Barbara, California
Methodology
The annual voting is conducted by Travel + Leisure magazine readers. As part of the “World’s Best Awards,” nearly 165,000 readers across the nation share their views on the top resorts in America. Hotels classified as resort, city hotel, or safari lodge and each had its own poll. In total, readers cast 685,000 votes across a multitude of categories based on the following characteristics:
- Rooms
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
Characteristic rankings ranged from excellent to poor, and the final scores are averaged to collect performance for each property.