One of the only certainties we are all feeling in the global coronavirus pandemic is the uncertainty it has brought to so many aspects of our lives. As innkeepers, closing the doors of the 11 Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) to our guests goes against every grain of our hospitality-driven spirit. Perhaps, the only thing that is equivalent or worse was furloughing employees – many who have been with the inns as long (if not longer) than the innkeepers have been. Our guests and our staff are our families, and together we are facing a world-wide challenge like we’ve never seen before. We worry about each guests’ wellness and send messages of positivity to every one of you.
As soon as it’s safe once again, our staff will return, and we hope our guests will too. We know that the world of travel will be changed, and we’ll be ready with increased cleaning and food service protocols (above and beyond our already stringent standards) and continued social distancing throughout the inns. Hugs will be optional; elbow bumps the norm. We’ll forever be ever cognizant of ways to insure our own and our guests’ well-being.
After the crisis passes, we know our guests will seek a level of pampering that is well deserved after they’ve served as chief cooks, teachers, administrators and morale officers. We hope that our guests will consider our inns for the easy-drive-to location as well as a place to once again connect outside the home. We assure you that a trip to DINE country will be one that’ll feed the spirit while fulfilling the need for discovery and exploration outside the walls you’ve been safely confined to recently.
And just to offer a glimmer more of hope, we bring you inspiration from the Distinctive Inns of New England to remind you that we’ll be here, and you can look forward to returning again once the present pandemic is over to a place of peace, solace, welcoming hospitality, friendship and comfort.
Gardens will once again bloom and boats will return to the marina at Inn at Harbor Hill Marina.
Deerfield teddies will still be waiting for you in the lobby of The Deerfield Inn.
And the “badass kitchen staff” at Gateways Inn will be waiting for you to prepare amazing dinners with smiles for dessert.
Social distancing will occur on the patio at the Chesterfield Inn.
And at breakfast time on the patio at Inn at English Meadows.
The pool will re-open at Harbor Light Inn, perhaps with lawn chairs a little farther apart.
David Barnum photo
And weddings and elopements will resume at the Grafton Inn too.
Quiet garden side seating may be a little farther apart at Camden Maine Stay but still as peaceful as ever.
Along with breakfast and afternoon tea on the patio, surrounded by colorful gardens at Captain’s House Inn too.
Loons, bald eagles and hikers will return to the Manor on Golden Pond and Squam Lake for amazing views and days of outdoor exploration.
Freshly made Donut Muffins, made with love by Chef Phyllis, will return to your breakfast table at Rabbit Hill Inn.
Don’t give up hope. Keep planning that fabulous New England inn getway to DINE country, and when it’s once again safe to travel, book your stay directly with your favorite member of Distinctive Inns of New England.
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield
In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic
In Maine: Camden Maine Stay Inn in Camden and Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport.
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Gateways Inn & Restaurant in Lenox, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod.
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton