Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

Sure, it’s been a couple of centuries, but every now and then you’re reminded that it’s called New England for a reason. For in spite of its most American of names, the Mayflower Inn & Spa, in the Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut, is as close as you’ll get to an English country-house hotel experience this side of the Atlantic. Set amid wooded grounds and finely cultivated gardens, this gorgeous old house is a remarkably idyllic slice of country life, just two hours from New York City; and once inside, you’ll find the resemblance even more pronounced: this is a hotel that’s perfectly dedicated to the kind of effortless poshness that the best English country hotels make their specialty.

This means historic architecture, antique furnishings and period artworks live side-by-side with modern amenities and contemporary comforts, all united under the guiding sensibility of a skilled contemporary designer. The rooms and suites are spread across four separate buildings, but there’s no upstairs/downstairs vibe — they’re all different, each with its own personality, but unlike some expanded country-house hotels, they’re all on the same (rather high) level.

Also on a rather high level is the spa, which likely draws a fair proportion of the Mayflower’s guests all by itself — and the restaurant is no slouch either, serving award-winning cuisine in a stately dining room or on a sunny terrace. With over fifty acres to spread out in, there’s plenty to do on the estate, and nearby is the Steep Rock Nature Preserve, where you’ll find a wild side of Connecticut that you might not have known even existed.

Please note: The Mayflower Inn does not accept children under the age of 12.