So the weather outside is frightful? Who cares, when you are snug and warm in a
wonderful country inn. Whether your idea
of romance is an intimate inn or a posh hotel, a wood-burning fireplace or a
spa catering to couples, Western Connecticut offers a host of luxurious and
romantic getaways in the rustic Litchfield Hills and in maritime Fairfield
County, guaranteed to chase away winter blues.
Rock Hall, a 23-acre estate in Colebrook in the Litchfield
Hills, is a classic 1912 manor house designed by master architect Addison
Mizner. The handsome inn is on the National Register of Historic Places. Four of the five spacious corner guest rooms
offer serene views of gardens, meadows, or forest and four have wood-burning
fireplaces. In room fireside massage services are a popular winter feature. Weatherproof
indoor options also include a Billiard Room with an authentic 1926 vintage
Brunswick "Arcade" table, a Game Room with ping-pong, football and a vintage
pinball machine, a
well-equipped Fitness Room, and a Movie Screening Room, complete with
complementary candy. When the weather cooperates, guests can borrow snowshoes for
forays on trails in the snow-covered landscape, and sign up for a romantic
horse-drawn sleigh ride. www.19rockhallroad.com
The intimate Hidden Valley Bed & Breakfast was recently named
"New England’s Best B&B on a Hill" by Yankee Magazine. The Dutch
Colonial inn is located on a private estate overlooking the nature preserve for
which it is named. Three guest quarters include the ground floor Red Guest
Suite with private entry and a kitchenette, the Blue Master Bedroom with
sweeping valley views and a private thermal spa bath, and the Green Bedroom
with an additional daybed for family getaways. The third floor is a playroom
for children. Hidden Valley is located in Washington, one of the most beautiful
towns in the Litchfield Hills. The friendly hosts can suggest the best ways to
explore the charming town and point the way to nearby spas, skiing, and
carriage rides. www.hiddenvalleyct.com
Guests will soon see why Candlelight Farms Inn in New
Milford is a favorite site for outdoor weddings. The 1843 inn is on 600 majestic
acres that include a picturesque stable where riding lessons can be arranged.
Five guest rooms have newly renovated private baths and magnificent views of
the farm-scape. A third-floor apartment includes a handy kitchen area. Guests
gather in front of the fireplace in the parlor and in the Tap Room with an
honor bar, a game table and a wide screen TV. Healthy fare is served each
morning in the Breakfast Room. www.candlelightfarmsinn.com.
In Connecticut’s Fairfield County, the Delamar offers plush
hotel rooms and full service spas in two prime settings, on Greenwich harbor
and in the quaint seaport town of Southport.
Southport’s elegant Delamar boasts fine furnishings, antique marble floors, and a French limestone
hearth, as well as the highly rated Artisan restaurant. Both public spaces and
guest rooms are hung with original art commissioned by the hotel or loaned by
galleries. The hotel also offers a couples’ treatment room. When guests book a
spa service, they have exclusive use of the Spa Suite, including a living room
with a fireplace and a steam shower. www.delamarsouthport.com
The Delamar Greenwich,
overlooking a picturesque marina, also has a full service spa and treats guests
to a continental breakfast each morning and wine and cheese receptions on
weekends. Complimentary bicycles and
local shuttle service are available for exploring the town. www.delamargreenwich.com.
