Whether you’re planning a trip to properly kick off Montreal’s 375^th Anniversary or simply want the latest scoop on maximizing your visit to the most sophisticated city north of the U.S.- Canadian border, the following hotels and activities are all sure bets:

Hotel Gault

It’s hard to believe that Hotel Gault actually got its start in 1871 as a cotton factory. Now one of Old Montreal’s smallest historic boutique hotels, its exterior retains the original ornate Paris-inspired Haussman greystone fascade. Exposed brick walls, wood beams, and cast iron columns form the back bone of the hotel’s minimalistic interior.

All 30 loft-style rooms are at least 350-square-feet framed by tile-and-concrete and brightly patterned carpeted floors with sleek blond wood furnishings and rough brick walls. But that’s where the minimalism ends. Luxury appointments like custom crafted mattresses, Casa Novea linens, and a nightly turn down service that includes a selection of fresh baked treats embody the other dimension of staying here.

Bathroom floors have heated tile floors while several feature freestanding soaking tubs. 5th floor 1,020-squarefoot deluxe apartment rooms have private terraces, kitchenette, living room, dining area and work space perfect for quick “livin’-it-large” visits as well as longer term stays.

The hotel’s multi-use lobby functions as both reception area and restaurant/lounge with a large Francesco Binfaré yellow sectional couch to the side of the front desk while brightly colored Knoll chairs are situated near soaring windows perfect for people watching over an Allongé and fresh flaky croissant in the morning. Alternatively, your evening can include browsing their magazine library and rotating art exhibit of local painters, photographers and illustrators while sipping signature cocktails like a Kombucha Libre or Montreal Ice Tea.

Wellness packages here include passes to Bota Bota and Scandinave les Bains, both spas a short walk away with saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunge pools. Bota Bota, once a ferry boat and now an indoor/outdoor floating spa is docked in Old Port while Scandinave les Bains is fully indoor.

Hotel William Gray

Also located in the heart of Old Montreal but overlooking Place Jacques Cartier, this newly opened hotel is an artful amalgamation of preserved historic architecture and bright energy efficient modern design. A newly constructed 8-floor, 127 room glass tower straddles 18^th century crushed limestone Maison Edward-William-Gray and grey stone Maison Cherrier buildings.

The interior is not only elegantly appointed but outfitted with regionally produced furnishings and amenities all the way down to the en suite doormats made from recycled rubber by a local artisan. Natural light is maximized in every way possible from floor to ceiling windows, light toned wood flooring, concrete ceilings, and white sheer curtains.

Art adorns the walls featuring bird drawings by Canadian artist Steven Spazuk. Utilizing fumage, a technique of creating trails of soot using a candle or torch flame, Spazuk then sculpts them into his uniquely winged creatures.

Bedding down for the evening is a treat with sumptuous Marie L’Oie linens, down comforters, and pillows. In the bathroom, Frette towels, multi-jet rain showers, and Le Labo bath amenities await. Twice daily housekeeping and mini-bars fully stocked with made in Montreal snacks make the in-room experience extra special.

Their rooftop deck and cafe with full bar provides spectacular views of Old Port, Notre-Dame Basilica, and Victoria Square among other historic landmarks while onsite Maggie Oakes Restaurant features an indoor wall mounted herb garden, while prime steaks and an extensive wine cellar ages under glass completely visible defining the dining room’s focal point.

Now in its second location on the ground floor of the hotel facing Rue Saint Vincent, Café Olimpico appears as if it’s been here for centuries with exposed rough-hewn beams, thick stone walls, and marble counter serving up espresso drinks along with locally baked specialty pastries. Walk through the back of the cafe into independent retailer Boutique OTH, showcasing local clothing designers as well as Canada’s only Vans Partnership outlet.

Hotel Monville

The cranes are onsite at Rue de Bleury and the anticipation is building but the doors of Hotel Monville won’t be open for guests until July 2017. Under construction steps away from the Palais des Congrès and Quartier des Spectacles, Hotel Monville is shaping up to be a 20-story masterpiece with a sleek ultramodern cubist glass exterior enclosing 269 artfully furnished rooms and suites accompanied by more than 4,000 sq ft of meeting space and what promises to be a breathtaking terrace.

Be first to book a room here!

Biking Lachine Canal

Once a major trade route linking the Atlantic Ocean with the interior of North America, the Lachine Canal served as a key shipping route up until 1950 when it quickly lost its relevance due to increasing vessel size and completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today the canal is purely recreational with boat tours and an accompanying 14.5 km pathway open to bikes and pedestrians. Bike rentals can easily be arranged trail side at Ma Bicyclette.

Ranked the third most beautiful urban circuit in the world by Time Magazine in 2009, this path follows the canal from Bonaventure Expressway west of the Old Port to Chemin du Musée in Lachine. Open year round from dawn to 11:00 p.m. but only maintained from April 15 to November 15, cross-country skiers and snowshoers can find their slice of heaven here during winter.

Montreal Craft Beer Tours

Each 1.3 mile narrated walking & drinking tour through the Entertainment District includes 3 craft breweries with a total tasting of 6 different beers. Beyond chugging the samples, a very tempting prospect indeed, your tour guide encourages you to look, smell, and note the flavor profile. Tastings are further enhanced with food pairings like poutine, gravlax & cheeses, and several varieties of chocolate. Plan on consuming the equivalent of 2 pints throughout the experience making it quite adequate for developing a slight buzz.

Co-founded by a community organizer and an entrepreneur, tours not only focus on breweries but on the neighborhood’s historical and cultural aspects like the former Red-Light District, once the scene of hustling and brothels during the city’s shipping heyday. Walk past the sites of Montreal Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs Comedy Festival as well as public art displays and architectural gems made all the richer by narrated stories and anecdotes.

Food Trucks

Food trucks are a recent phenomena in Montreal. From 1947 to 2013, they were banned due to hygiene concerns and competition with established “brick-and-mortar” restaurants. But The Quebec Food Truck Association worked hard to light a spark that has now ignited roughly 200 food trucks throughout the city.

Choices range from mainstays like grilled cheese, and pulled pork to mobile haute cuisine like foie gras poutine by Chef Martin Picard at Camion Au Pied de Cochon and lobster truffle cappuccino by Chef Jérôme Ferrer at Europea Mobile.

Montreal food trucks must be affiliated with an established restaurant or catering business and commit to periodically move from site to site ensuring variety in each neighborhood.

Au Sommet – Montreal’s Newest Vista

Au Sommet, atop Place Ville Marie, occupies the skyscaper’s top 4 floors with les Enfants Terribles Brasserie, Made in Montreal boutique, and #MTLGO, an interactive cultural exhibit exploring hockey, gastronomy, performing arts, and Montreal neighborhoods via 55 videos and 500 photos culled from city archives and social media shares. Select what appeals to you and print out an actual ticket which doubles as your personal Montreal bucket list for favorites to experience in person like the Biosphère’s geodesic dome, riding a BIXI bike from the Plateau to Old Montréal or climbing the Clock Tower.

A recently opened Observation Deck at the top 46th floor is the main attraction with stunning 360° views outfitted with the same digital telescopes used at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa along with a 4-season outdoor terrace with 12-foot-high bay windows and an urban garden. It is here that you can zoom in on the majestic St. Lawrence River, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Quartier des Spectacles or Mount Royal to the west providing Montreal’s iconic natural backdrop.

During winter, it’s comforting to know that Place Ville Marie is in the heart of the city’s RESO Underground Pedestrian Network as well as home to a massive revolving spotlight and giant illuminated Christmas tree.

Photos courtesy of Montreal Tourisme, Montreal Craft Beer Tours, Hotel Gault, Hotel William Gray, Hotel Monville, & Steve Mirsky.  Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.

The Back Bay neighborhood is home to so much of what makes Boston a world class city. You’re a quick walk from legendary Fenway Park, the seemingly endless blocks of Newbury Street’s boutique shopping, the Skywalk Observatory atop Prudential Center, stunning emerald ribbons of parkland bordering the Charles River, and inventive dining helmed by a growing community of star chefs.

It’s hard to imagine but fair to say that well into the early 1970s, demolition permits for much of what you now see far outnumbered shoppers and tourists walking the streets.  The Charles River was literally an open sewer and skid row living conditions snuffed out blocks of classic brownstones once home to tight knit ethnic enclaves.

The Colonnade Hotel

The Colonnade Hotel opened in 1971 on the corner of Huntington Ave. and West Newton St. as a definitive catalyst for the neighborhood’s renaissance. Sleek towering pillars of concrete girded by floor to ceiling windows designed and built by Bertram Druker rise 12 stories above the surrounding architecture to the back of the property built more than a century earlier. Still owned by the Druker family today, The Colonnade is a distinct rarity in Boston’s increasingly chain dominated hotel scene.

Walking through the spotless plate glass front doors attended by congenial door staff, you enter a marble floored lobby outfitted with clusters of plush seating to either side and straight ahead a circular wooden table inlaid with a detailed and colorful map depicts both historic and present-day Boston.

Past guests like Whitney Houston, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr., Val Kilmer, and Matt Damon are testament to The Colonnade’s panache further enhanced in 2008 by the property’s latest $25 million renovation.

Timeless elegance persists in many amenities like the Rooftop Pool and onsite Brasserie Jo while perks have been added over time like a courtesy Audi SUV for situations when Uber won’t cut it and a “VIPets” package that hooks your fluffy friend up with a pet bed, bowl, selection of 3 brands of food, and a map outlining dog parks and restaurants where they can stay by your side when it’s time for you to eat.

All 285 rooms in this Preferred Hotels’ Lifestyle Collection Hotel start out at a roomy 350 sq ft enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows that not only flood your living space with natural light but open for fresh air when desired. For more stretch-out space, book one of their 700 sq ft Parlor Suites outfitted with a single king or two doubles with a separate living/dining room and two bathrooms or their even larger 950 sq ft Luxe Suite.

Brasserie Jo

Executive Chef Nick Calias is in charge here and strikingly blends the latest culinary techniques with classic French bistro fare at Boston’s first authentic French brasserie opening in 1998.  “Boston’s chef community’s strength is rooted in our diverse backgrounds and love of cooking,” says Calias.

Perfecting his craft in Brasserie Jo‘s kitchen for nearly a decade now, Calias has a passion for building the finest dishes with the freshest ingredients.  Favorites include Grilled Lemon Chicken Paillard,  Chicken Coq Au Vin, Mussels Riesling Marinière, and Alsace Brioche Bread Pudding.

Styled after a typical 1940s French bistro, the restaurant’s mosaic tile flooring, dark wood furnishings, and a strikingly eclectic mix of vintage art prints and paintings on the walls invite you to gather either in the dining rooms or at their vintage bar serving up seasonally changing craft made oversized martinis, Alsatian-style beers, and an extensive wine list.

Rooftop Pool

12 stories above the streets of Boston, The Colonnade’s rooftop, open Memorial to Labor Day features the city’s only publicly accessible Rooftop Pool.  Billowing white cabanas available for private rental outfitted with plush outdoor sofas and chairs are ensconced along one side of the rooftop railing with spectacular views of historic South Boston.  Look across the pool from this vantage point and you get a decidedly more modern backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers.

Comfortably chic lounge chair seating on the bamboo floored main deck, lush plantings, and a full service 12-seat bar serves up 3 different types of house made sangria and seasonal specialty cocktails along with light bites like Grilled Swordfish Tacos, RTP Lobster Roll, Petite Pearl Hot Dogs, and Bifteki Sliders.

Ongoing poolside activities include twice-weekly complimentary pre-breakfast “Sunrise Salutation” yoga classes with esteemed in house yogi Rebecca Pacheco and a guest chef pop-up series roofTop Chefs hosted by Executive Chef Nick Calias.

Debuting this summer, a lineup of the city’s top chefs who also happen to be Calias’s friends share their latest creations like Tiger Mama‘s Tiffani Faison’s crispy curried Singapore Street Noodles and Malaysian Short Rib Rendang, Southeast Asian delectables normally only available from her restaurant’s open kitchen.

Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.  Photos courtesy of The Colonnade and Steve Mirsky

Contemplating an escape to Coastal Maine evokes images of clipper ships, rugged beaches, lighthouses, and the most prized lobsters in North America. Kennebunkport is a fine example of where all this and more comes together. Where you stay has a big impact on the quality of your experience, and thankfully your search is now much simpler with Inns Along the Coast, a new coalition of 8 historic inns also situated in Bar Harbor and Rockland Maine that all meet 5-star standards like impeccably maintained rooms appointed with luxury amenities, chef prepared breakfasts, in room spa tubs and fireplaces, collectible art on display, and no foolin wifi that’s strong no matter where you roam.  And the best part is you’re connected with properties guaranteed to be unique destinations in themselves made all the richer by their unique history and innkeeper legacy.

Inns Along the Coast also provides complete locally pre designed itineraries that take the guess work out of which activities and sights can’t be missed. 1802 House, Captain Jefferds Inn, and Inn at English Meadows are all Inns Along the Coast within walking distance of each other in Kennebunkport yet offer completely different experiences.

Captain Jefferds Inn

Situated among other sea captain’s homes of the same era in Kennebunkport’s historic residential district, Captain Jefferds Inn is a several block stroll away from the Kennebunk River, Dock Square, and many dining options, art galleries and unique shops. Like many of Maine’s coastal towns, Kennebunkport was established on shipbuilding. Thankfully, its original walk ability and 18th century architectural charm was preserved as a historic district in 1976 so it really feels like you’re stepping back in time.

Captain Jefferds Inn owners Erik and Sarah Lindblom took their first innkeepers course 25 years before even buying the property.  Over the years they searched for the perfect inn on the coast of Maine before settling on this inn. The deciding factor along with its compelling historic charm and in town location was the perfect spot for their prized grandfather clock to be tucked next to the central staircase leading from the foyer to rooms upstairs.

Each of the 16 guest rooms is unique with many featuring a gas fireplace or wood-styled stove, spa tub, or perhaps a private screened in porch or deck approaching cottage-like privacy and coziness. 3-course breakfasts are served in the fireplaced dining room with an adjoining sun porch set up with a coffee serving station and magnificent selection of loose leaf gourmet teas for brewing.  Simply fill up one of their small tea pots with your choice and linger or bring up to your room and indulge with a good book.  Saving you a trip to the market, Erik and Sarah sell wines by the bottle as well as local maple syrup and homemade snacks.

1802 House

Teri and Roger Walker’s journey as innkeepers began upon returning to the US after living in the UK for 20 years. Teri always fantasized about being an innkeeper and happily, “Roger was a good sport and supportive of that dream.” Their challenge was finding the right inn in the right location while living in the UK raising a family and working long corporate hours. They overcame this by consistently taking vacations in the US staying in B&B’s whenever possible to test the waters. Serendipitously, on their first trip to Maine in 2011, they quickly fell in love with Kennebunkport and the 1802 House which happened to be for sale and bought it soon after.

15 Locke Street is a quick drive or an entirely doable walk to Kennebunkport village but worlds away in ambiance. Instead of water views and village life, 1802 House is tucked away down a country lane ensconced in the serenity of historic Cape Arundel Golf Club.  As the name implies, this stately colonial was built in 1802 starting out as a family home with additions gradually added over the years. In the 1990s it was converted into a bed and breakfast but it wasn’t until Teri and Roger took over in 2012 that the  property’s interior was completely overhauled to include a central dining room, custom spa baths, premium bedding, heirloom furnishings, and a 3 room Sebago Suite outfitted with oversized 2-person spa tub and private balcony.

Inn at English Meadows

A quick stroll down Port Road in Kennebunkport’s Lower Village to eateries like Old Vines Wine Bar and relative newcomer Ports of Italy, Inn at English Meadows, a meticulously renovated 1860 Greek Revival, brings a Soho vibe to a farmhouse originally built by local dairy farmer Asa English.

Kate and David Parisi are the latest couple in a long string of innkeepers welcoming guests to the property for over 75 years. 10 artfully appointed guest rooms and suites along with a separate two-bedroom Carriage House bungalow meld original moldings, wide plank floors, and the original rambling layout with a thoroughly modernist ambiance of Blue Dot-esque furnishings, Vera Wang beds, Frette linens, Malin+Goetz soaps and the owners’ personal collection of watercolors and collages on display throughout the property.

Waking up here is made extra sweet with readily available locally roasted Coffee by Design and a 3-course gourmet breakfast beginning with fresh baked daily pastries like Maine blueberry scones with sugar cinnamon butter.  Then it’s on to exquisite dishes like honey roasted plums or pears infused with thyme from the onsite herb garden and then perhaps a breakfast pizza topped with prosciutto and lemony mascarpone.

Evening possibilities include kicking back on the Inn’s patio or landscaped English gardens in Adirondack chairs with a bottle of wine or favorite cocktail. For beach walks, you have Mother’s and Gooch’s Beaches lining Beach Avenue entirely accessible by sidewalk from the inn. And just a 15 minute ride away, you have 3 mile long Goose Rocks Beach, a powdery sandy stretch kept that way by a barrier reef just off shore.

Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky, Captain Jefferds Inn, & 1802 House, & Inn at English Meadows. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.

New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley region is built on small business. Beyond outdoor tourism like skiing, mountain climbing, and whitewater rafting, more than 25 locally run inns, 70 restaurants along with an array of local specialty food purveyors and farms fuel a robust hospitality and culinary scene. This synergy is celebrated with longstanding festivals and special events. Two annual biggies held at the end of February are The Chilly Chili Cook-Off and the Mt Washington Valley Chocolate Festival, each respectively in their 13th and 27th years bringing together lifetime locals and curious tourists.

Chilly Chili Cook-Off

40 professional chefs put their best chili recipes to the test at the Chilly Chili Cook-Off competing for award categories like best beef, vegetarian, classic, and chicken chili, cornbread, and themed displays. Not only does a panel of professional culinary evaluators choose the winners based on aroma, consistency, and taste, but a People’s Choice Trophy is also awarded based on attendees individual votes. Bumping up the exclusivity factor a notch, a limited number of VIP package tickets offer early admission, gift bags, and special entry to the Awards Ceremony.

Chocolate Festival

Renowned as the ‘Sweetest Day on the Trails”, the Mt Washington Valley Chocolate Festival partners with Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Foundation to make chocolate indulgence totally guilt-free. Weather permitting, chocoholics cross country ski or snowshoe along the Mt. Washington Valley network of trails at designated inns and businesses like Local Grocer & Cafe, Riverside Inn B&B, and the Whitaker Meeting House to sample different renditions of decadence like rich organic truffles, creamy fondue sauces, and double mocha brownies. And just because this is a chocolate festival doesn’t mean that some stops won’t also include live music and perhaps some beer sampling as well.

Where to Stay

You have many unique lodging choices when visiting the Mt. Washington Valley like Stonehurst Manor, a classic 5-star retreat overlooking the White Mountains with all the amenities of North Conway right down the hill, or the themed rooms of Adventure Suites ranging from Motor Cycle Madness to a Deserted Island suite complete with hammocks and beach bar.

Snow Village Inn

But when you’re looking to head off the beaten path for a decidedly more rural escape, Snow Village Inn in Eaton has been welcoming guests since 1948. First built as a summer home on the lower slopes of Foss Mountain in 1916 by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank Simonds, the main inn now features 5 Queen and King Suites above the downstairs restaurant and bar with commanding views of the Presidential Range.

Two additional on site properties, Chimney House, with 4 fireplaced guest rooms and the Carriage House, a renovated old barn with 8 well appointed rooms connected to a common area and library on the second floor offer quieter retreats with a more cottage-like ambiance.

Max’s Restaurant & Pub

Onsite Max’s Restaurant & Pub serves hearty breakfasts each morning to all guests with a rotating selection of homemade baked goods and hot entrees like frittatas or stuffed French toast accompanied by bottomless cups of locally roasted Wicked Joe Coffee. It is at this first meal of the day that you get a taste of Chef Peter Willis‘ penchant for fresh ingredients and artful preparation that figure even more prominently at dinner. No stranger to the Mt. Washington Valley with stints at The 1785 Inn, Darby Field Inn, and at one point his own restaurant Coyote Rose, Willis draws from his Asian, South American as well as
Southwestern and Santa Fe culinary inspirations to create dishes like Eggplant Ravioli with a roast red pepper sauce, curry spiced walnuts, and goat cheese or a satisfying Rack of Local Lamb with olives and mint chimichurri.

Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky & Snow Village Inn.  Coverage resulting from a sponsored visit.

The Village of Clayton is situated on the St. Lawrence River where it begins converging with Lake Ontario in New York State’s 1000 Islands region. Seemingly untouched by time with not a chain outlet to be found among local shops in historically preserved storefronts along with grand Victorians in a walk able street grid, it’s no wonder that an adjacent long underutilized water front lot used as a fuel depot was recently transformed into 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, a AAA 4-diamond full service resort.

Checking into the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel begins in a rustically furnished vaulted ceiling grand entry leading to hallways lined with vintage photos depicting Clayton’s historical ties with the river. Artistic lighting, intricately patterned carpeting, and water view windows wherever possible provide a distinctive ambiance to the common areas while rooms feature hardwood composite flooring, bay windows overlooking the St. Lawrence, and floor to ceiling tiled showers. The hotel’s 6 suites include spa tubs,  lavishly outfitted wet bars, and at least one balcony.

Onsite Seaway Grille has grown into a local dining hotspot with just as many outside patrons as on site guests savoring freshly prepared dishes like Curried Barley, Frenched Pork Chops, and a tender house made gnocchi served with sage butter, asparagus, prosciutto and pumpkin seeds topped with feta. Executive Chef Patrick Leibacher also regularly schedules culinary experiences like a Wild Game Dinner Series and a 7 Continents Dinner with dishes paired with wines from across the globe. This culinary inspiration spills over into the adjoining 1000 Islands Bar with local Wood Boat Brewery on tap accompanied by small plates like sunflower seed dusted scallops and a regionally inspired North Country Charcuterie board.

With over 6,000 square feet of conference and banquet space including a grand ballroom, you can bet that plenty of weddings are booked here overlooking the river with fire pits interspersed throughout their extensive riverside patio. Partnering with two local spas, the hotel’s In-House Spa packages include sparkling wine and strawberries upon arrival, in-room massages by Creative Edge Salon, and breakfast in bed. Their Romantic Getaway package bumps it up a notch with a bottle of Champagne and rose petal turn down.

Next door to the hotel, step down onto the 49-slip municipal floating dock and look clear to the bottom. You’ll  see why the St. Lawrence River is a fishing and recreational boater’s paradise as well as a key shipping route a.k.a the Seaway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Dotted with 1,864 islands to be exact, many of the Thousand Islands are private and large enough to only accommodate a small cottage while others grandly display Gilded Age mansions like Boldt and Singer Castles regularly open for tours.

As part of the hotel’s Island Cruise Package, you can board the Muskie, Captain Jeff Garnsey of Classic Island Cruises‘ 1953 wooden cruiser for 3-hour river excursions. Instead of large double decked tour boats narrated by an unseen guide over an intercom, Jeff describes what you’re seeing right from his wheel on a deck accommodating no more than 6 passengers. Garnsey customizes his voyages to include local wine and cheese pairings, stopping off at Boldt Castle, providing close up views of storied homes on Millionaires Row, as well as following a route bootleggers used back in the 1930’s. Garnsey also incorporates a Shore Dinner Experience into his cruises featuring traditional ingredients and techniques developed over more than a century as a St. Lawrence River tradition.

Other can’t-miss 1000 Island attractions include Clayton’s Antique Boat Museum. Here, 4.5 acres worth of exhibits depict the evolution of recreational boating from sleek wooden cruisers of the 1930s up through the roaring 50’s & 60’s when speed boats were built for the masses. The Seaway Wine Trail, winding through 78 miles of the scenic byways includes Clayton and rewards visiting wine enthusiasts with local award-winning Coyote Moon and Thousand Islands wineries with pairing possibilities made all the more authentic with local River Rat Cheeses.

Photos courtesy of 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel & Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.

Only 80 minutes from Midtown NYC and a quick walk from Southport Connecticut’s train station, Delamar Southport‘s classic white clapboard colonial architecture situated on the Old Post Road looks like it’s been a fixture here since the town’s 19th century maritime heyday.

Until walking inside, it’s hard to conceive that construction on the property was actually completed in 2010 .  Then you realize this quintessential Connecticut escape is a recent creation deftly balancing the refined elegance of New York chic with New England country charm.

Delamar Southport’s lobby is the perfect place for lingering with your complimentary glass of champagne or sherry upon check-in. You’re surrounded by custom designed furnishings, antique marble floors, museum-quality art from the owner’s personal collection, and a French limestone hearth in the center.

Other inclusives making your stay extra special include chauffeur service within a 3 mile radius of the property encompassing local beaches, and a full breakfast buffet each morning. A 24 hour concierge service is on hand to arrange a picnic basket prepared for a day at the beach along with complimentary towel service and bottled water.

Whether checking into one of their 44 guestrooms or 6 luxury suites, one of which is the 2,800-square-foot Woodward-Newman Presidential Suite outfitted with three spacious bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, you’re in for the ultimate boutique hotel experience. Rooms have a light, airy décor anchored by  resplendent four-poster beds, handcrafted  furnishings, the latest flat-screen TVs and Tivoli audio systems with iPod docking stations. Marble floors, Bvlgari bath amenities, and Italian linens grace the bathrooms.

It’s easy to see why long term stays, especially in the suites, are common with twice daily housekeeping including evening turndown, same day laundry and dry cleaning service, as well as dog friendly for pets under 100 pounds. And lucky for you when it’s meal time. You’re steps away from on site Artisan Restaurant, Tavern & Garden.

Artisan

Originally from Paris, Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer cooked at top restaurants in France, New York, and in Connecticut at L’escale and Gaia before taking the reigns at Artisan in 2011.  Kieffer reportedly had his ingredient suppliers lined up well before Artisan’s architectural drawings were completed. “We source ingredients from local farms in the spring, summer, and fall. In the dead of winter we have to reach out to Californian or Floridian growers but even then we only work with the most sustainable farms.”

Artisan exudes craftsmanship from the interior’s 18th century classic Scandinavian design to artfully prepared dishes. “Our goal is to produce as much as we can in house”, says Kieffer. “Our restaurant is named Artisan because we want to showcase the craft of cooking in every way possible. Homemade items include our pickles, apple wood smoked bacon, breakfast sausages, foie gras, meatballs, all our pastas, and not-to-miss sorbets and ice creams.”

Their seafood chowder is a classic dish where it all comes together. First served in a shallow white soup plate with choice morsels caught within the last 24 hours nestled in the bottom, a pitcher of creamy chowder is then poured over the top.  Sprinkling on some of their  house-made fennel flavored oyster crackers adds just the right touch.

Seating options here are diverse ranging from indoor dining area centered around a full bar, an outdoor patio/garden during warmer months with a full service bar as well, and The Copper Room, an elegant glassed-in private dining room ideal for special more intimate gatherings.

When asked about his personal favorite menu pairings, Kieffer shares, “During summer there is nothing better than our local oysters from Mystic CT with a glass of Sancerre. If you prefer Chardonnays then the roasted oysters are terrific.  Menu items during cooler months like pig croquettes (homemade crispy pig headcheese), chicken liver mousse, and cheese from our friends at the Fairfield cheese shop, all pair nicely with a glass of Oregon Pinot Noir”.

Spa

A restful escape is never complete without a spa visit. Featuring skin treatments using award-winning Biologique Recherche and Valmont, as well as micro current therapy, medical-grade collagen upgrades, and an Amethyst BioMat, Delamar Southport’s full-service spa suite offers  respite with a more intimate setting than the typical spa layout. Outfitted with a couples treatment room, steam shower, and living room with a fireplace, you are closer than ever to restorative bliss.

Photos courtesy of Delamar Southport and Elitemeetings.com   Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.