North of Boston/Merrimack Valley welcome romantic vacationers

With impeccable service, a tranquil location in an historic town just north of Boston and an on-site spa, the Briar Barn Inn is the romantic retreat you have been seeking. Across from the common in historic Rowley, surrounded by protected land, the inn offers 30 spacious, uniquely decorated rooms with gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, plush robes and fine linens. The on-site restaurant, Grove, serves creative but classic regional fare, with handcrafted cocktails and a vibrant wine list. Relax after dinner on the terrace or by a courtyard fire pit. Book a couples massage or other treatment at the spa. Enjoy your days on the North Share by gallery-hopping, antiquing, kayaking or hiking the area’s breathtaking coastal trails. (And take that sunset walk on Gloucester’s Wingaersheek Beach!)

There’s something about the ocean air, sailboats swaying in the harbor, strolls along the jetty: It just says romance. At the charming Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, that sense of romance continues with elegant accommodations and amenities like a heated indoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. With the hotel’s Romance Package, enjoy a room or suite for two, breakfast vouchers, and locally made chocolates and a vase of roses upon your arrival. The Stay and Dine Package includes dinner in the Regatta Pub each evening. And the Valentine’s Day Package features champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a dozen red roses as well as room-service breakfast for two. Shop and dine at Pickering Wharf or walk into historic Salem.

There’s a reason Rockport figures so prominently in New England pictures and post cards: It’s a perfectly lovely coastal town. Stay at the Rockport Inn & Suites and find out just how romantic this town by the sea is. The hotel is a short walk to downtown, where you’ll find a host of eclectic galleries, restaurants, boutiques and shops, as well as the iconic red Motif No. 1 fishing shack on Bearskin Neck. Arrange for a sunset cruise or kayak out to Thacher Island to see the Twin Lighthouses. Scuba dive off Back Beach, take a winter stroll along Front Beach or watch the seals in Loblolly Cove. Back at the hotel, enjoy a free continental breakfast, indoor pool and fitness room.

It’s time to be pampered: Book a room or suite at The Inn at Hastings Park, the boutique hotel in lovely Lexington, and settle into luxury, from Frette towels and bed linens to a rain shower in your marble bathroom. The inn’s Revolutionary Romance Package includes complimentary gourmet breakfast for two as well as chilled champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon your arrival. Enjoy couple time by walking to the green (where the Revolution began), using a complimentary bike to explore the rail trail or just strolling among the town’s emporiums. Dine in comfort at Artistry on the Green restaurant, celebrated for its fine farm-to-table cuisine. Enjoy a cocktail on the porch or in the bar at this historic inn.

A very romantic inn in a very romantic town, the elegant Harbor Light Inn welcomes couples with a variety of special packages and room enhancements. The Romance Package includes sparkling wine, chocolates and flowers. The Deluxe Romance Package features champagne, flowers, chocolates and a cheese and fruit plate. The inn will also make arrangements for a couple’s massage in your room. Ask about a room with a working fireplace and a two-person jetted spa tub. Enjoy a glass of wine by the atrium fireplace or in the cozy Tavern. Breakfast, including hot dishes and homemade breads, will be delivered to your room. Spend your day strolling through this picturesque town, with a charming harbor, interesting shops, galleries and restaurants.