This charming getaway serves countryside chic, an appreciation for the arts and local living, plus a case of major history. Just celebrating its first anniversary, opening in September 2024 in what served as the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse for over a century, The Abner, is the newest Salt Hotels property—a collection of award-winning and Michelin hotels in New England—like the airy island retreat, The Brant.
Much of the original courthouse is preserved in the design and is reflected in the names on the property, which features three on-site dining concepts, each with a judge-approved menu. It’s a getaway so charming, it’s guilty of stealing your heart.
An 1800s courthouse gets a second life
Named after Reverend Abner Reeve, the property honors Reverend’s son, Tapping, who founded the nation’s first independent law school in Litchfield in the late 1700s. Litchfield’s first courthouse was built in 1752, undergoing many iterations over the years—being rebuilt several times due to fires that destroyed the original wooden structures.
After another devastating fire in 1888, the town of Litchfield rescinded permits for wood construction, and the stone courthouse came to fruition, surrounded by brick storefronts. In 1913 the clock tower took on a new design to match Litchfield’s Colonial Revival appearance.
In 2017, the gavel went down on Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse’s West Street location for the last time. The courthouse relocated to Torrington, leaving the space vacant. In the making for 7 years, Salt Hotels and Lexington Partners transformed the vacant courthouse into a 20 room boutique hotel, The Abner.
The hotel is dedicated to the founder of Lexington Partners, Marty Kenny, who originally envisioned the bespoke idea of turning the courthouse into the boutique hotel it is today, and was a large part of the project before his passing in 2023.
Inside The Abner
With the original stone facade and clock tower intact, the exterior perfectly preserves the courthouse. The hotel’s law and order roots delight every corner upon entering, with elements of Litchfield’s rustic comforts creating an immediate warmth in the space.
The mustard-hued walls, cozy oriental rugs, and flannel throws engulf you in warmth and nod to the Connecticut countryside. While each room design is slightly unique, the common denominator is the comfiest bed to exist and Kassatex pillows.
Tivoli radios add an old-school charm and Further bath products make every inch smell criminally delicious.
And The Abner doesn’t just preserve history, guests who skip housekeeping have a tree planted on their behalf, preserving the planet too.
Dine inside an old courtroom
The Abner maintains the original courtroom molding and floors in its on-site restaurant, properly named The Courtroom. What is now a top dining spot in the neighborhood serves guests in the space where hundreds of cases unfolded; the original jury box and witness stand remain in place.
The restaurant guiltlessly leans into the courtroom theme in every aspect. Find creative (and delicious) plates like “The Gavel Burger” and “Prosecuted Pumpkin.” In the mornings, enjoy the complimentary breakfast at leisure with items like coconut chia seed pudding, fresh quiche of the day, and hot coffee on tap from 7-10 AM.
Dining in the old courthouse feels like an airy art gallery with a rustic twist. Vintage brass hurricane lamps and fresh flowers decorate the space. The restaurant and the adjacent lounge, The Parlor, both offer warming fireside dining year-round. The seasonal rooftop, The Verdict, offers appealing views of rolling mountain ranges.
Things to do in Litchfield, Connecticut
Connecticut may not be heralded for its mountains like Vermont or New Hampshire, but this part of the state offers sneaky-good parks and mountains with an abundance of scenic trails. The Abner backyard means waterfalls, gorgeous foliage and a ski area just minutes by car. Litchfield is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts in New England, with over five outstanding state parks each a few miles from The Abner:
- Topsmead Park (610-acre estate with forests, meadows, and English Tudor cottage gardens)
- White Memorial State Park (4,000-acre nature preserve with wetlands, boardwalks, and wildlife)
- Mount Tom Trailhead (trailhead for a short, steep 1.5-mile hike to a stone tower with lake and foliage views)
- Kent Falls State Park (200-acre scenic park with striking cascading waterfall and woodland trails)
- Mohawk Mountain State Park (1,100-acre mountaintop park known for hiking and panoramic views)
Mohawk Mountain turns into a wonderful ski area in winter. Just 18 minutes from The Abner, the park offers 27 trails, over 100 skiable acres, and 650 vertical feet.
The town of Litchfield itself breathes a Gilmore Girls-like charm, with the Litchfield Town Green directly across of the hotel. A stone’s throw from the hotel, the Litchfield Historical Society offers free open museum hours on the regular.
The Abner shares West Street with all of the local shops, selling everything from home goods to whimsical kids toys. You’ll also find several local restaurants and the beloved Petraroia Deli sandwiched along the street. Everyday around noon, a 1950s fire truck alarm sounds the town and immediately makes guests feel like they’re living in another decade.
Nearby in Burlington, Connecticut, find Hogan’s Cider Mill, mulling some of the state’s best apple cider. The upstairs barn feels like the set of a holiday Hallmark film. Compliment that with fresh milk and chocolates from Thorncrest Farm. All of the chocolate is made in-house using only fresh cow’s milk and butter from the farm.
Litchfield is centrally located to several historic covered bridges: Cornwall, West Cornwall, and Kent are some of the best. Find here, a quintessential 18th century New England town with gorgeous mountains, an abundance of horseback riding, and a persuasive case to swap city living for the Connecticut suburbs, if even just for the weekend!
Learn more and reserve your stay at The Abner.