16 Romantic Getaways in Connecticut Guaranteed to Get the Sparks Flying

• Rate: from $868/night
• Why We Recommend It: amazing local culinary program, New England country charm, renowned spa

“I went to a wedding at the Mayflower, and it is such a gorgeous property (especially the Shakespeare garden),” says PureWow Wellness Director Sarah Stiefvater, who’s a New York native and grew up living about half an hour from the Connecticut border. (She’s lived in Stamford, and continues to travel back to the state to visit her parents, making her a great expert to tap for recs.) “I didn't have a chance to check out the spa—which I've heard is incredible—but hopefully next time…” Spa aficionados are no doubt familiar with the super luxurious Mayflower Inn & Spa. It’s a splurge-worthy option that’s steeped in romance and brimming with upscale amenities on 58 tranquil acres of woodland and gardens. But whether you head to the spa or not, trust me, this is one of the most romantic getaways in Connecticut. The charming, New England country-chic rooms are perfect and plush for snuggling, while the dining options provide homey, intimate-though-tasteful settings for many a romantic dinner. You’ll particularly want to visit The Garden Room, which is the handiwork of interior designer Celerie Kemble, with a menu overflowing with regional ingredients. (Did someone say Maine lobster and venison tartare?) The combination of relaxing rituals, cozy robes, bubbly (or green juice if you’d rather lean into the whole healthy thing) and sudsy soaks is sure to bring any couple even closer.

• Rate: from $954/night
• Why We Recommend It: Old Hollywood history, many on-property activities and amenities, tranquil setting

“While the Inn at Graybarns is beautiful, the real star of the show, in my humble opinion, is the Tavern restaurant,” Stiefvater says. “Cozy vibes, great food and cocktails. Even if you don't end up staying there, it's worth a quick trip from NYC and its surrounding areas just to have a meal.” Fans of a Hollywood love story will swoon over the fact that Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher (her fourth husband) famously honeymooned at The Inn. This picture-perfect retreat retains its A-list appeal all these years later, thanks to its tranquil atmosphere on the Silvermine River. The estate is overflowing with New England charm, and the property comprises The Inn, Mill House, The Tavern (a restaurant serving up hearty—but refined—American fare), Mercantile (charming café and marketplace), Village and Barn. Luxurious touches (ahem, sumptuous full baths, reclaimed wood and canopy beds made with Frette sheets) and enticing river views only sweeten the deal.

• Rate: from $218/night
• Why We Recommend It: rates under $500, charming coastal New England vibes, award-winning culinary program

“Mystic is one of my favorite places to visit, especially in fall and winter, and The Whaler's Inn is a must,” Stiefvater says. “It has classic New England charm but with fully updated interiors and amenities. It's also within walking distance to tons of great spots (I'm partial to Bank & Bridge, a brewery in an old bank that's just across a small bridge from the inn).” Downtown Mystic is one of the most charming corners of Connecticut to spend a few days. I can’t think of a more perfect home base than The Whaler’s Inn, a boutique gem with a 125-year-old history. Don’t let its age fool you, though. The property, with its five historical buildings along East Main and Cottrell Streets, have plenty of personality within the 14 guest rooms. Each has updated, coastal details that reflect the area’s maritime heritage and a historic overtone that’s just right. Personally, I’d recommend that lovebirds post up in The Stanton House, situated on the Mystic River with panoramic views of the Bascule Bridge. Select suites also have private balconies. As for dining, The Shipwright’s Daughter is a must—Chef David Standridge is a 2024 James Beard Award recipient. Billing itself as a “tide to table” restaurant, The Shipwright’s Daughter dishes up only the freshest New England cuisine in its snug dining room, whose dim light, velvet chairs and artful plates scream romance. It’s the seafaring equivalent of a hole-in-one.

• Rate: from $850/night
• Why We Recommend It: myriad on-site activities, great local attractions

As any city dweller will tell you, there’s something totally enticing about trading the urban sprawl for a more pastoral setting. Winvian Farm is a 113-acre luxury hideaway in the Litchfield Hills that feels totally peaceful and unpretentious yet has all the luxuries your heart could ever desire—gourmet dining, a posh spa, cottages—or a treehouse!—with fireplaces and five-star service. You’ll want to start every morning of your stay with a stroll on the grounds, which border an abundance of woodland and lakes—or get off site for some forest bathing or a gander through the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy. Winvian offers plenty of couple’s activities, from massages and wine tasting to sound therapy and s’mores around a cracking bonfire.

• Rate: from $231/night
• Why We Recommend It: sky cabin with rustic charm, farm activities, nearby activities (antiquing, vineyards, breweries)

When it comes to romantic getaways in Connecticut, sometimes you want a fancy resort. Other trips call for something a bit more rustic and romantic like this custom-built treehouse on a 40-acre working farm in Wilmington. After a night of restful slumber on a memory foam mattress, chirping birds will gently wake you. Animal lovers will visit the farm animals, but the real attraction around here is for couples who share a love of wine tasting, as the area is rife with local vineyards and breweries. Cassidy Hill Vineyard (try Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s preferred Catawba grape in the Pink Catawba rosé), Taylor Brooke Winery (wines straight from their Woodstock vineyard) and Sharpe Hill Vineyard (famous for their Ballet of Angels, a floral, semi-dry white with peach, pear and grapefruit notes) are several within a half-hour drive through the pastoral countryside. Can’t you already feel more at peace and connected to your partner just thinking about it?

• Rate: from $274/night
• Why We Recommend It: Metropolitan feel mixed with New England charm, great interior design, around the corner from Yale 

A welcome addition to New Haven’s lodging scene, The Blake Hotel feels, on one hand, perfectly positioned among the cultural attractions and liveliness of a city and, on the other, also like a sort of hideaway. Either way, I dig it. The spacious suites are a couple’s paradise, with full (and tastefully designed) kitchenettes, plus daily tea service. And you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t fall for the industrial accents, comfy beds and snuggly robes. Evenings are best spent with your lover at the buzzy rooftop bar, High George, followed by a hearty Italian dinner at Siena where the octopus carpaccio, Manila clams and monkfish aren’t to be missed. 

• Rate: from $160/night
• Why We Recommend It: quaint, historic, fun local attractions

Who doesn’t love a quaint B&B? Well, the Inn at Woodstock Hill is one of the best, with all the charm, intimate ambiance and nostalgia you’d expect of this type of stay with the addition of individually designed guest rooms (some even have four-poster beds and gas fireplaces), warm hospitality and gourmet cuisine. There are just 21 rooms in the clapboard structure, which dates to 1816, pulling you into the homey, local charm instead of a massive resort where you’re one of many milling about. When you’re ready to explore the local area, you’ll find it rife with art galleries and antiques (stop by The Rusty Relic), plus a bevy of local shops and even a theater, known as Bradley Playhouse.

• Rate: from $565/night
• Why We Recommend It: great access to state parks, glamping experience

Like the great outdoors but can’t quite part with your cherished modern comforts? I’d suggest glamping. Getaway Machimoodus gives couples the opportunity to reconnect and soak in the beautiful scenery away from the stress and distractions of daily life, all the while still being able to take a hot shower and snuggle up in a queen bed. (The best part, in my opinion, is the giant picture window that’ll let in the sunrise.) Don’t worry, though—for all its modern comforts, you’re still in the thick of nature on 86 private acres. Outdoor-loving couples will appreciate the proximity to the waterfall at Devil’s Hopyard State Park and Machimoodus State Park, while the less sporty may enjoy an excursion to the historic Gillette Castle and the easy one-mile trail on site. At night, snuggle around the campfire—s’mores and coffee provided—and look up at the stars.

• Rate: from $303/night
• Why We Recommend It: beautiful year-round, two hours from NYC

Whether you’re sweet on a leaf-peeping escape or a ski trip, the Litchfield Inn provides an idyllic place to hunker down at the foot of the Berkshire mountains. Of course, it’s more than just a spot to snooze. The ten-acre Colonial property is warm and cozy with 32 guest rooms outfitted with luxurious little touches—think Parachute sheets. There’s a distinctive air of romance that permeates the bucolic property, which backs up onto a hundred acres of conservation land with lush greenery, a brook and wildlife. Spend each day strolling the well-kept grounds and formal gardens, or rambling through Topsmead State Forest, with its trails and gardens on the estate of Edith Morton Chase. Sweet little extras, like curated picnic baskets, make the experience feel even more special. The only problem? You might never want to check out.

• Rate: from $349/night
• Why We Recommend It: residential-style suites, sustainable New England cuisine, handcrafted furniture

Some hotels just get it and make everything seem so effortless. That’s Delamar Southport in a nutshell. It has old-world charm (complete with handcrafted furniture) in a way that’s anything but stuffy. When you arrive, you’re welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine as you check into your room. Guest accommodations are residential-style and appointed with plush four-poster beds and fireplaces, in addition to sumptuous bathrooms. There are a bevy of on-site activities, including a MacKenzie Childs afternoon tea collaboration and a whiskey tasting you can attend together. During your stay, you’ll want to book dinner for two at Tavern & Garden, the on-property restaurant dishing up New England fare, which has included (the menu can change daily) oysters, crabcakes, duck confit and Berkshire pork chops.

• Rate: from $259/night
• Why We Recommend It: private access to lake and waterfall, dazzling fall foliage, historic property

When you’re with the right person, hibernating (curling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, busting out a bunch of old-school board games or just bingeing Netflix with a big bowl of buttery popcorn) can be the definition of dreamy. This luxury cabin overlooking a private waterfall makes hiding from the world an even more enticing prospect—especially in the fall, when the foliage is absolutely divine. And, tell me what’s more romantic than a stroll through the meandering trails to the waterfall or lake? (This cabin has private access.) The building was originally a blacksmith’s shop in the 1800s but has since been converted to a cozy home with modern amenities.

• Rate: from $259/night
• Why We Recommend It: stately and historic architecture, beautiful gardens and local attractions

Boardman House Inn Bed & Breakfast gives off a Stars Hollow energy but in a way that trades quirky characters for regal furnishings like crystal chandeliers, brocade drapes, beds and carved wooden beds, all of which are prime examples of the Second Empire architecture and design. The 1860s building is stately, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble floors and fireplaces. Meanwhile, the guestrooms are just as resplendent, with both antique and contemporary touches—it’s just asking your sweetie to carry you over the threshold. That’s a thing even if it’s not a honeymoon, right? Well, it should be. Continue your stay by meandering through the estate’s gardens, sipping coffee on the porch and be transported to another era with a visit to Godspeed Opera House.

• Rate: from $726/night
• Why We Recommend It: beachfront property, gorgeous and secluded views, easy access to state parks

Basically, everyone can agree that some things are just inherently romantic. For example, there’s a reason long walks on the beach have become a rom-com and dating profile cliche. Strolling on the sand just hits different with your lover. So why not center a weekend away around it by shacking up at this stunning beachfront vacation home? A wall of windows on the south side looks out onto the Long Island Sound, and during low tide, you both can walk on the sand bar, visit Salt Island or amble down the beach together. The home is also in close proximity to Hammonasset State Beach and Park and the Stewart McKinney Wildlife Preserve. During your stay, enjoy cooking gourmet meals in the fully stocked kitchen and curling up on the couch with the television or bunking in the den with board games.

• Rate: from $274/night
• Why We Recommend It: great location, exceptional restaurant

Whether you’re alumni heading back for a reunion or just wanting to be in the shadow of the legendary institution (which has beautiful Gothic architecture, BTW), The Study at Yale offers the ambiance of having stepped into a bright, inviting study. Located right across the street from the Yale Art Gallery and the Yale British Art Center (both of which have exceptionally noteworthy collections), The Study at Yale is a classic with a long-standing reputation for relaxed sophistication. Rooms with leather reading chairs and stocked bookcases add to the studious-meets-cozy vibe. Oh, and the seasonally driven restaurant, Heirloom, is stellar, serving up both farm and coastal fare. Think classics like roast chicken and lamb ragu, plus a robust cocktail program mixing up both classic drinks and new creations.

Rate: from $293/night

Why We Recommend It: funky, techy interior design; great on-site dining

Perhaps the New England aesthetic, with its Colonial architecture and Victorian decor, isn’t quite your speed. Enter: The J House. It’s a fun boutique hotel with a contemporary mood—think fully automated lights and shades, LED bed accents and a Toto Neorest in the powder room. The design is funky and the art is loud, nary a floral bed skirt in sight. and a fantastic restaurant. A romantic dinner for two at the on-site Italian steakhouse, Tony’s is a must. The menu is full of classics, from zucchini flowers to fried burrata and gnocchi, plus a stellar lineup of seafood. End your stay with Sunday brunch, loading up on lobster benedict, waffles and crêpes before heading home.

• Rate: from $130/night
• Why We Recommend It: lots of on-site outdoor activities, in-home entertainment and close proximity to the Connecticut wine trail

Imagine sipping a glass of wine while sitting next to your favorite person and watching the sunset over spring-fed Lake Chafee. Oh, and this is after a full day of swimming, canoeing and kayaking or just relaxing on the deck. Ready to make that romantic getaway fantasy a reality? It’s as easy as booking this lakefront cottage in Ashford. The home offers a full kitchen for some snuggly home-cooked meals, and the plethora of board games, music, cards, books and movies ensure that you don’t have to step off the property if you wish. But if you get cabin fever, you’ll also have easy access to the Connecticut wine trail and nearby towns Pomfret, Woodstock and Brimfield, which are excellent locations for antiquing.