Our Top Picks
- Overall Winner: Winnetu Oceanside Resort (Martha’s Vineyard) – Crowned the leader among the best New England resorts for 2024 with a record-setting reader score of 99.00.
- Best for Families: Quisisana Resort (Maine) – A unique musical and lakeside retreat that secured a spot among the top 100 hotels globally.
- Best for Contemporary Luxury: The Brenton Hotel (Newport) – Redefining the Rhode Island waterfront with boutique hospitality and floor-to-ceiling harbor views.
The Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Martha’s Vineyard is the top-rated resort in New England for 2024 according to Travel + Leisure readers. These winners are noted for exceptional guest service, prime coastal or lakeside locations, and high-quality amenities, setting a new benchmark for luxury and family-friendly New England resorts.
Performance Data: 2024 New England Resort Rankings
The 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards reflect a significant shift toward properties that offer immersive local experiences. For 2024, the reader survey scores highlight a narrow margin between the top contenders, with the leaders excelling in location, service, and food quality.
| Resort | Location | Reader Score | Primary Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnetu Oceanside Resort | Edgartown, MA | 99.00 | Coastal Family Luxury |
| Quisisana Resort | Lovell, ME | 98.24 | Lakeside Musical Arts |
| Hidden Pond | Kennebunkport, ME | 97.45 | Boutique Forest Retreat |
| The Nantucket Hotel | Nantucket, MA | 96.80 | Historic Island Grandeur |
| The Wentworth | Jackson, NH | 95.50 | White Mountains Boutique |
Notably, the Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha’s Vineyard was named the number one resort in New England and ranked as the third best resort in the United States in the 2024 rankings. Furthermore, four New England properties, including the Winnetu, Candleberry Inn, The Norumbega Inn, and Quisisana Resort, were honored on the prestigious list of the top 100 hotels in the world.
The Gold Standard: Elite Coastal Winners in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
The Atlantic coastline remains the heartbeat of New England’s tourism industry. This year, the focus has moved beyond simple beach access to encompass sophisticated nautical decor and high-level boutique hospitality.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Martha’s Vineyard
Securing the top spot for 2024 Travel + Leisure New England resort winners, Winnetu manages to balance massive scale with intimate service. Located at the edge of South Beach in Edgartown, the property offers a mix of traditional hotel rooms and expansive multi-bedroom rentals.
What separates this property from other luxury New England resorts is its commitment to family logistics. The resort provides a pre-arrival concierge to stock kitchens, a complimentary children’s day program ranging from toddlers to teens, and quintessential island experiences like antique fire truck rides and beachfront clambakes. The heated pools and tennis club provide a resort-style infrastructure that is often missing from smaller island inns.
The Nantucket Hotel & Resort
Sharing ownership with Winnetu, this property dominates the Nantucket skyline. It is one of the few year-round luxury options on the island. Readers consistently praise the property for its proximity to downtown Nantucket and its complimentary shuttle service to coastal beaches. The suites here are designed with a shingle-style architecture that reflects the local heritage, while the interiors lean into modern nautical decor.
Newport’s Boutique Renaissance: The Brenton and The Vanderbilt
Rhode Island makes a strong showing in the 2024 rankings, particularly through Newport’s urban-coastal hybrids. The Brenton Hotel is frequently cited as one of the best coastal New England resorts for family vacations that still require a city-center pulse. Its position on Long Wharf provides immediate access to waterfront dining.
Conversely, The Vanderbilt, an Auberge Resorts Collection property, offers a more curated, historic luxury experience. Housed in a 1909 mansion built by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, it provides high-end boutique hospitality that appeals to couples. The concierge services here are particularly robust, offering private sailing charters and vintage car tours of the famous Newport Mansions.
Family-First Escapes: The Maine Collection
Maine continues to define the quintessential Americana vacation. The state’s winners are categorized by a move away from formal hotels towards estate-style living and lakeside summer camp vibes.
Quisisana Resort, Lovell
Ranked as a top performer among best New England resorts, Quisisana is a cultural anomaly. Located on the shores of Kezar Lake, the staff is largely comprised of classically trained musicians and performers from the nation’s top conservatories. Guests experience Broadway-caliber performances in the evening after a day of lakefront activities. This intersection of high art and rustic living has earned it a permanent place among the top-rated Maine resorts for a fall foliage getaway.
Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport
Hidden Pond remains the gold standard for forest-luxury. Set on 60 acres of birch and beech forest, the resort is comprised of individual cottages and bungalows. It is frequently highlighted for its garden-to-table dining at Earth, one of the most celebrated restaurants in the region.
- Signature Amenities:
- Nightly s’mores at the communal fire pit.
- Beach cruiser rentals for trips to Goose Rocks Beach.
- Organic spa treatments in "treehouse" rooms.
- Artist-in-residence workshops for all ages.
Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth
For those looking for New England resorts with the best guest service scores, Inn by the Sea is a perennial favorite. It is particularly famous for its Bug’s Life program, an educational eco-adventure for children that explores the local coastal ecosystem. It also maintains a unique partnership with local shelters to foster dogs on-site, allowing guests to interact with (and sometimes adopt) the animals.
Mountain Peaks and Inland Gems: Vermont and New Hampshire
While the coast often dominates the conversation, the inland properties in the White Mountains and Green Mountains provide the best infrastructure for year round travel.
The Wentworth, New Hampshire
Located in Jackson, The Wentworth has recently undergone a transformation into a high-end boutique destination. Readers identified it as one of the top rated White Mountain resorts for year round travel due to its proximity to world-class skiing in the winter and premier hiking during the fall foliage season. The shingle-style architecture and private hot tub suites provide a level of intimacy that appeals to a sophisticated demographic.
Sterling Ridge Resort, Vermont
For a more secluded experience, Sterling Ridge near Smuggler’s Notch offers a collection of log cabins that embody the Vermont spirit. Unlike the high-density coastal hotels, this resort focuses on 315 acres of space (similar in scope to the famous Migis Lodge in Maine), where privacy and outdoor recreation are the primary luxuries. It is a preferred choice for those seeking New England lakeside resorts for summer camp vibes without sacrificing modern amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi and updated kitchens.
Travel Logistics for Inland Travel
- Amtrak Accessibility: Both the Downeaster (Maine) and Vermonter lines provide scenic access to several inland winners.
- Pet Policies: Most Vermont and New Hampshire winners, including The Wentworth, offer dedicated pet-friendly suites.
- Best Time to Book: For peak fall foliage, reservations at mountain resorts should be secured at least 8 to 10 months in advance.
FAQ
What are the best luxury resorts in New England?
The top luxury options for 2024 include Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Martha's Vineyard and The Vanderbilt in Newport. These properties are recognized for their high scores in guest service, fine dining, and exclusive amenities like private yacht charters and full-service spas.
Which New England resorts are located on the beach?
Winnetu Oceanside Resort offers direct access to South Beach on Martha’s Vineyard. Other top-rated beach properties include the White Elephant on Nantucket and Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which provides a private boardwalk to Crescent Beach.
What are the best family-friendly resorts in New England?
Quisisana Resort and Winnetu Oceanside Resort are leading choices for families. Winnetu is praised for its comprehensive kids' clubs and multi-bedroom suites, while Quisisana offers a unique lakeside experience with musical performances that engage all ages.
What are the top-rated mountain resorts in New England?
The Wentworth in Jackson, New Hampshire, is a top-rated choice in the White Mountains. For Vermont, Sterling Ridge Resort and the Lodge at Spruce Peak are highly regarded for providing luxury accommodations with immediate access to mountain trails and skiing.
Are New England resorts typically pet-friendly?
Many of the leading resorts have become increasingly accommodating to pets. Inn by the Sea in Maine is a pioneer in this area, offering dog menus and pet massages. The Wentworth and many boutique properties in Newport also offer dedicated pet-friendly rooms, though it is recommended to confirm specific weight limits and fees during booking.
Whether you are seeking the salty air of the Atlantic coastline or the quiet majesty of the White Mountains, the 2024 Travel + Leisure awards prove that the best New England resorts are those that honor their historic roots while investing heavily in the modern guest experience. Early booking is essential, especially as these award winners often reach full capacity months before the summer and autumn seasons begin.
