The Inn at Hastings Park

A revolution kicked off more than 200 years ago in this quiet corner of Massachusetts. The first shots of the Revolutionary War — at Lexington and Concord, as you’ll remember from history class — were fired steps from the front door of the Inn at Hastings Park. The legendary Freedom Trail, in the heart of Boston, is just 15 miles to the east. If revolutions aren’t your thing, how about transcendentalism? Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond is in the neighborhood. Not a history buff? This part of Massachusetts showcases New England at its best in any season. Get acquainted with its small towns, hit the local bike trail, and stock up at its nearby farms. In other words, there’s a lot to recommend the Inn at Hastings Park before we even get to the discussing the hotel itself.

As befits a hotel this close to major moments of American history, the inn itself is historic too, consisting of three buildings — two former private residences and a barn — all dating from the 1800s. The 22 spacious guestrooms and suites are spread across the property. Choose any one of them, and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time: the New England designers and artisans who worked on the redesign made sure of it. The handprinted wallpaper feels appropriately rustic, and many of the rooms include a fireplace or a gas stove.

But above all, don’t forget to dine in. The restaurant on the property, Artistry on the Green, is one of the reasons to stay here. The restaurant is award-winning and makes use of produce from local farms to put their own creative spin on — you guessed it — New England classics. The revolutionaries and the transcendentalists would feel right at home.