Winter getaway in Massachusetts: dinner in front of a fire; snow-dusted explorations

Massachusetts > State > Places to Stay > Winter Getaways

Winter settles on New England in a mist of snow-dusted streets and meadows, holiday lights, and hearty food in front of a crackling fire. Plan a winter getaway to a classic Massachusetts lodging that suits your tastes: from a bed-and-breakfast inn racing the town green in a Berkshire mountain village to a boutique hotel tucked among the crooked old street of Boston or Cambridge to a windswept waterfront inn along the shore. Plenty of amenities – fireplaces, hot tubs, traditional winter foods – await you, prepared and served with comfort, cleanliness, and your health in mind.

Briar Barn Inn

101 Main Street Rowley, MA, 01969 Phone: 978-653-5323

Warm and welcoming, this North Shore inn, spa and restaurant offers a relaxing winter escape

With its many warm and inviting spaces, the Briar Barn Inn is the perfect retreat for your winter getaway. All of the inn’s 30 distinctive guest rooms have gas fireplaces and cozy seating areas, original artwork, custom furnishings, plush robes and bathrooms with large soaking tubs. Make it a truly relaxing getaway with a massage, facial or other body treatment at The Spa at Briar Barn Inn. Or, enjoy the many winter activities on the vibrant North Shore, from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to antiquing, brewery-hopping or shopping in downtown Newburyport, MA. At the inn, dine in the post-and-beam barn restaurant, Grove, for dinner or weekend brunch. Add “The Briar” package to your room, and signature chocolate chip cookies and wine will be waiting for you upon arrival.

Boston Harbor Hotel

70 Rowes Wharf Boston, MA, 02119 Phone: 617-439-7000 Toll-Free: 800-752-7077

Warm up to the idea of a winter escape at this hotel in the center of walkable, wonderful Boston

There may be a chill in the air, but you’ll find yourself warming up to the idea of a winter escape at the Boston Harbor Hotel, a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond urban resort right on the city’s vibrant harbor. Relax in your harbor- or city-view room or suite, take advantage of the 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton bikes or unwind in the 60-foot lap pool, sauna and eucalyptus-infused steam room. Soak up the inviting atmosphere (and enjoy the area’s freshest seafood) at the Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, or grab a cocktail at the Rowes Wharf Bar. The hotel is close to the New England Aquarium, lively Faneuil Hall, the theater district and Freedom Trail.

Winter Family Outing - The Berkshires of Western MA - Photo Credit Ogden Gigli

Visit the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts

Whether winter means recreation or relaxation, the Berkshires has a getaway just for you

Are you the kind of person who can’t wait for winter so you can explore the frosty outdoors? Or is winter something that makes you want to curl up by a cozy fire? Whichever type of winter person you are, you’ll find the perfect getaway in the Berkshires. During cold weather the region boasts alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, skating, and ice fishing. It also serves up some lovely fireplaces — in your room at a charming country inn, or in a romantic restaurant with mountain views. Book a massage in one of the area’s many spas and wellness centers, visit an art museum or lovely historic home, take an art class, catch a play or concert, or explore the offerings in a winery or brewery. The Berkshires cannot wait to welcome you!

Harbor Light Inn

58 Washington Street Marblehead, MA, 01945 Phone: 781-631-2186

Take a break from winter, or embrace it, with a visit to inviting harbor district inn

Marblehead, MA, on the scenic North Shore of Massachusetts, is especially lovely in the winter, and you can see the town to its best advantage from the popular Harbor Light Inn. Located in the Harbor District, the bed-and-breakfast inn is a short stroll to shops, restaurants, galleries and homes that date back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Take a drive out to Fort Sewall and walk a bit for gorgeous harbor views, or drive to the many museums and attractions in nearby Salem, MA. At the inn, enjoy a full breakfast each morning, sweet treats and beverages in the afternoon, and wine, beer, cordials and bar bites in the evening in the cozy tavern. Rooms have options including fireplaces, two-person jetted tubs, exposed beams and private decks or patios.

Salem Waterfront Hotel

225 Derby Street Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 978-740-8788 Toll-Free: 888-337-2536

Waterfront hotel and historic Salem welcome visitors warmly in the winter months

The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites welcomes you in the winter – and so does its vibrant city. Get cozy in your luxurious room or suite, swim in the heated indoor pool, work out in the fitness center or dine in the pub. Then set out to enjoy Salem in the winter, with its quaint colonial structures, and shops, all decked out in lights and holiday decor. Start in the hotel’s neighborhood – Pickering Wharf – a lovely harborside “village” of shops and restaurants. Then head downtown to visit the extensive art collections at the Peabody Essex Museum. Visit Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of the Seven Gables or one of the many attractions devoted to Salem’s witch-y history. The area has a variety of winter festivals, strolls and house tours.

Deerfield Inn

81 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA, 01342 Phone: 413-774-5587

Historic Deerfield, and its famous inn, both have a special sparkle in the winter

What a lovely town Deerfield is in the winter, the snow sparkling on the roofs of its 18th- and 19th-century homes. And right in the middle of Main Street is the cozy Deerfield Inn, where winter travelers have found crackling fireplaces and warm hospitality since 1884. The 24 rooms in the main inn and carriage house feature period reproduction furniture, antiques and comfy reading chairs. Spend your days hiking up Mount Sugarloaf or skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing at Berkshire East, visiting the area’s many art and history museums, breweries or the Yankee Candle Village store. Come back to relax by the fire in the inn’s Beehive Parlor or at Champney’s mahogany bar. Sip a cocktail by the fire and dine on the restaurant’s creative, locally sourced cuisine.

Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club

2907 Main Street (Route 6A) Brewster, MA, 02631 Phone: 508-896-9000 Toll-Free: 800-343-6074

Here’s a wonderful idea: Book your winter getaway at gorgeous resort on Cape Cod Bay

Are you already thinking about your winter getaway? Don’t rule out Cape Cod, which is breathtakingly beautiful in the winter (and less crowded!). Book a villa or mansion room at the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, a slice of beachfront paradise every season of the year. Brewster’s beaches, among the country’s loveliest, are dramatic and walkable in the winter, and among the resort’s amenities are rooms with stunning water views from private balconies. Book a spa day at The Beach House, swim in the heated indoor pools, enjoy the sauna and hot tub. Start your day with breakfast in the charming Roscommon Room and end it with steak frites or a burger in Bayzo’s Pub.

XV Beacon

15 Beacon Street Boston, MA, 02108 Phone: 617-670-1500 Toll-Free: 877-982-3226

Walkable and welcoming, Boston is a delight in the winter, and this hotel is in the heart of it all

Crisp ocean air, snow glistening on cobblestoned streets, cozy restaurants: Boston, MA is an exceptional city for wintertime visits, and in the heart of it all is XV Beacon in its turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts building. The boutique hotel is central to all that makes wintertime fun in the city: theaters, sports venues, boutiques, galleries and museums. All hotel rooms, suites and studios have gas fireplaces and luxurious bedding, including cashmere throws. Some have whirlpool tubs, and four-poster or canopy beds. An experienced concierge can help with tickets, tours, recommendations for restaurants as well as jogging and walking routes. Steps from your hotel room is Mooo.... Beacon Hill restaurant, a favorite gathering place for guests and Bostonians on a cold winter night. Ask about the hotel’s Winter Wishes package.

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