Things to do / Travel Guide
You know a region's to be reckoned with when it's the site of a world-class vacation and resort area, contains one of America's greatest cities, and boasts a renowned capital for Gilded Age opulence. The region: Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The resort area: Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket; the city is Boston, and the capital for the Gilded Age is Newport. This is a region of fancy hotels and inns, excellent fish and seafood, and, of course, yachts and sailing galore. The ocean spray is at its most effervescent on these coastal stretches, so get ready to enjoy, and pamper yourselves to all decadence.
Luxury Accommodation around Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, And Nantucket
The names of the resorts and inns on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket are the stuff of legends - Wequassett Inn in Chatham and the Wauwinet on Nantucket. Wequassett is a golf resort, replete with all the trimmings you should expect. Suites face Pleasant Bay, providing some of Cape Cod's best views; there are fireplaces in every room plus king-sized beds and wide-screened televisions. The golf course overlooking the sea, of the Cape Cod National Golf Club, is certainly on a top-tier level.
In order to get the real Nantucket experience you have to stay at the Wauwinet, at the tip of Nantucket Harbor on the isthmus between it and the wide-open ocean. Everything's been thought of, and everything's been tweaked to give you the most luxurious “inn by the sea” experience. Spread out on a lawn chair outside your own cottage, by the herb garden, facing the water, sipping cognac - for as long as the day is. The rooms are spacious yet cozy, oozing New England charm; the staff are there to serve you hand and foot.
Luxury Accommodation around Boston, Massachusetts
If you're searching for a luxury hotel in Boston, don't fret - you'll have your work cut out for you choosing between such greats. “Should we go with the Boston Ritz Carlton, or the Four Seasons?” Consider these two famous and recently-restored gentilities, but certainly don't leave out the XV Beacon from the running. This favorite of Boston socialites is renowned for its architecture - a Beaux-Arts masterwork, to its suites and rooms - a marriage of Jeffersonian ideals and modernist technology, to its ambiance - situated in one of Boston's trendiest downtown neighborhoods.
Luxury Accommodation around Newport, Rhode Island
In days past, Newport, Rhode Island, symbolized the very heights of the Gilded Age; opulence still shines forth from mansion after mansion. It all comes down to the Castle Hill Inn and Resort, on its own peninsula at the very tip of Ocean Drive, one of the most celebrated parkways in the country. Stay within the elegantly-restored mansion, or retreat to one of the beach houses or cottages. Hardwood floors and oriental carpets underfoot, a marble bath and whirlpool to soak in, and a king-sized canopy bed all make your stay an unforgettable experience. All rooms are decked with antiques, period appointments, and fancy woodworks.
Luxurious Dining around Boston, Massachusetts
A stay at the XV Beacon warrants a visit (and a repeat visit) to the Federalist, its in-house restaurant. The cuisine at the Federalist is richly American; just enough touches of French influence to give it class, but fully hearty for a satisfying culinary extravagance. How American? The menu boasts Maine lobster, Vermont butter, Long Island duck, Colorado lamb, in addition to other ingredients from around the continent and the world. The wine list, not to be outdone, offers vintages from the early 20th century; like a 1907 Heidsieck Monopole, among others.
Luxury Dining around Newport, Rhode Island
There are four dining rooms at Newport's Castle Hill, all evoking the sea and Gilded Age opulence. Explore the wine list, or try any of the cocktails at the Castle Hill Bar; otherwise you have your choice of eating in the more-intimate Agassiz Room, the larger Ocean Room, or the others. Indulge in such multi-course meals as rosemary-maple, smoked-and-grilled wild boar chops; or a pan-roasted halibut fillet. Of course, the wine list is again second to none, specializing in Italian and French vintages.
Newport is blessed with another fine eatery - Bouchard Restaurant. It is housed in a Georgian house dating to the late 18th century. Here is a succulent French menu, specializing in the requisite sea-foods for the appetizers, with more meats and poultry like rack of lamb and duck breast with a coffee crust for the entrées. Make sure your order comes with the Grand Marnier soufflé.
Luxury Activities in Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island
As we said it, so we mean it: Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island, from top to bottom, is a yachting and sailing paradise. The yachts that dock at these marinas are some of the most beautiful and luxurious in the world - and owned by some of the world's most famous personages. Embarking from Hyannis, Chatham, Provincetown, Boston, Gloucester, Newport, or Providence, there's more than enough to do and see from the water: Sail past great cities and catch a whale's eye view of great residence; you can even catch a whale eye's view on one of the region's acclaimed whale tours.
Don't discount taking a Gilded Age tour from the ground, either. A visit to the Breakers, built by the Vanderbilts, and Rosecliff, which served as the setting for such Hollywood films as “The Great Gatsby” and “True Lies,” may even give you some ideas for the next addition on to your house. These studies in luxury are tops in their class - gold everywhere, crystal chandeliers, twin staircases ascending heart-shaped; the works! And if you want to go sleep in a place like this, book a room in the Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill.
If you're looking for a fine region by the sea, head to coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The entire coast, from Cape Ann to Boston to Cape Cod to Narragansett Bay, is one big playground for those who love to luxuriate. So slide on down for an opulent good time!
Luxury Vacation Ideas in Boston, Cape Cod, Newport, Connecticut, Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Luxury-Vacations
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