Inn at Pleasant Lake – New London, New Hampshire
The Inn at Pleasant Lake kept employees working during the shutdown, tackling several renovations around the resort while lending a helping hand to the community at the same time. Initially, the hotel launched a take-out service for its fine-dining eatery, Oak & Grain Restaurant. Online orders were up and running within 48 hours of the ordered shutdown.
Over Easter Sunday, the inn served more dinners in to-go format than it has historically in the dining room. The hotel strived to maintain it’s fine dining appeal, serving only the highest quality, locally-sourced farm-fresh ingredients.
The inn also launched a major renovation project as soon as the government shut down the lodging industry. With no guests, the hotel saw a rare opportunity to perform a massively invasive renovation of the common areas of the inn. Renovations were slated to take more than a month as crews renovated the hallways of the first, second and third floors of the bed and breakfast.
In preparation for a return to normalcy, the inn has unveiled a new “clean living” initiative for discerning travelers who are looking for healthy lodging choices.
When It’s Time to Go: The Inn at Lake Pleasant Lake has 10 guest rooms, all with individual bathrooms. There are five classic suites and five junior suites. The charming inn is quiet and convenient to lots of activities in New London and the surrounding area.
Trapp Family Lodge – Stowe, Vermont
The Trapp Family Lodge is overflowing with joy lately as it recently welcomed six new calves to its herd of Scottish Highland cattle. The breed originated in the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides Islands of Scotland and is known for its long, shaggy double coat of hair and signature longhorns.
Scottish Highland cattle can be colored red, ginger, black, white, yellow, grey and silver (white with a black ears and nose). The hardy breed was bred to withstand the intemperate conditions of Scotland and dates to around 1885. Their “double coat” consists of an oily, bushy outer layer and a downy undercoat.
The fuzzy little critters are lovable but will grow fast. Bulls (males) can grow to be around 1,800 pounds while heifers (females) can grow to around 1,100 pounds each. Traditionally, Highland cattle are used for both milk and meat, but at the Trapp Family Lodge, they’re a bit more like a family member. The bovines are a popular attraction at the 2,500-acre hillside mountain resort near Stowe.
When It’s Time to Go: The 96-room Trapp Family Lodge has 100 cozy guest house chalets and a few luxurious 3-bedroom villas for families and guests to unwind amid the stunning Vermont landscape. Your four-legged friends are waiting! Spend time with the baby calves at the inn, shop the exceptional retail shops in Stowe, or choose from several outdoor adventures in the nearby mountains or on one of the region’s crystal blue rivers.
Harbor View Hotel – Edgartown, Massachusetts
The elegant Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts took the spring to revamp its guest rooms and revitalize its menu by adding a new chef to its popular on-site restaurant. A full renovation of the property began in 2019, but the shutdown in early 2020 allowed the hotel to finish up several projects without inconveniencing guests.
First, The Roxana – formerly known as Governor Mayhew – was completed with a full guestroom renovation. The 51-room property marks the completion of the hotel’s top-to-bottom transformation. The Roxana joins the hotel’s other already established accommodations: The Historic Building, Captain’s Cottages and the Presidential Skyhouse.
The Roxana features a chic, sophisticated design appealing to both legacy guests as well as a whole new generation of travelers. Island chic interiors in the rooms evoke a ‘60s vintage surfer vibe. Many rooms feature sliding doors opening out to a private balcony, while others will have large windows with views of the hotel gardens and pool.
The hotel also welcomed a new culinary director, Hart Lowry. Chef Lowry has extensive experience overseeing a collection of restaurants throughout Boston and New York City.
When It’s Time to Go: The property’s Bettini Restaurant will be debuting a new menu for the summer season, developed by Chef Lowry. The menu will focus on seasonal, local ingredients and seafood inspired by Lowry’s vast experience and travels.
Snowvillage Inn – Eaton, New Hampshire
Max’s Restaurant and Pub at the Snowvillage Inn in Eaton, New Hampshire has teamed up with Dole & Bailey Food Purveyors with seven different Home Food Kits. Kits offer healthy alternatives like meats, pasta and fish, and options range from local cheese to French cheese kits. The kits come with fun names like Party by Yourself, Virtual Hug, Social Distancing, Fishin’ for Answers and Slow the Curve.
The popular Virtual Hug kit includes four pounds of assorted pasta varieties, two pounds of meatball mix, two pounds of sausage coils, one pound of applewood smoked bacon, 12 oz. of Cooper’s Hill Chive Cheddar Cheese, two pizza dough balls, one bag of organic green peas, three cans of Mutti tomato sauce, one bag of grated Parmesan cheese and one bag of Soft Dancing Deer Chocolate Chip Cookies for only $125. Customers were asked to place their order on Tuesday and Thursday for delivery on either Wednesday or Friday.
In addition to the Home Food Kits, Max’s at the Snowvillage Inn has been offering curbside to-go on Fridays and Saturdays. The menu is limited to an appetizer, two entrees and two desserts including Mama Karen’s Homemade Chocolate Chip cookies.
When It’s Time to Go: The romantic Snowvillage Inn is nestled on the slopes of Foss Mountain and has panoramic views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Mountain Range
XV Beacon – Boston, Massachusetts
In downtown Boston, the majestic XV Beacon spent the down time revitalizing its flower boxes and roof deck planting in anticipation for the summer reboot. The beautiful new flowers will hopefully be in full bloom by the time guests arrive.
The roof deck itself could see some big use during the warmer weather, as the hotel has plans to utilize the space for a few new features like private dinners, lunches and possibly even a putting green, according to hotel officials.
In keeping with the times, the hotel now has new UVC sanitizing wands in stocks and have enhanced its cleaning protocol to further protect guests from communicable diseases in the wake of COVID-19. Soon, expect workers to be recognized by their custom logo XV Beacon face masks. Masks will be available for purchase in the hotel’s mini bars.
When It’s Time to Go: Situated at the top of Beacon Hill, the 63-room XV Beacon is the perfect gateway to the most historic city in the U.S. The landmark hotel provides state-of-the-art accommodations in the heart of the city that are the definition of a lavish getaway for work or fun. The hotel is the ideal mix of historic charm and modern functionality.
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina – Old Saybrook, Connecticut
The ocean is the perfect place for social distancing, so the marina at the Saybrook Point Resort has been a choice spot during the quarantine. By following proper guidelines posted on the hotel’s website, families can enjoy boating and the ocean as usual.
The marina opened May 1 and is completely staffed and fully operational, serving fuel and accepting and assisting seasonal and transient boaters. The marina is currently open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
The restaurant has been offering take-out and delivery options in the community and are hoping to reopen the outdoor seating and marina bar soon. Unlike Rhode Island, boaters in Connecticut are not required to self-quarantine for 14 days on their vessel, so it could be a great boating season!
The hotel is also taking the off time to completely renovate and refresh several areas around the property, including the Fresh Sale porch, outdoor pool area, fitness center, docks and parking lot.
When It’s Time to Go: The waterfront Saybrook Point Inn is great for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. The inn seamlessly blends historic elegance and contemporary luxury and has impeccable guest rooms at the Main Inn and Three Stories and Tall Tales across the street
