Connecticut might be formally known as the Constitution State, but it’s also home to some of New England’s best nature reserves and beaches. This picturesque region also boasts many charming towns that seem to mirror their British counterparts but with a more laidback attitude. And that’s the perfect recipe for a romantic weekend getaway. The cherry on top is the many options for a romantic hotel in Connecticut, ranging from luxury digs to quaint little inns. Whether it’s bustling cities like Hartford or quaint, bucolic towns like Chester, Connecticut’s romantic hotels and inns offer something for every kind of romantic traveler. So, whether you want to relax at a world-class Relais and Châteaux spa, stay in a waterfront suit, or kick back in a treehouse or lighthouse, Connecticut is right up your alley. To that end, here are the 11 most romantic hotels in Connecticut.
Table of contents
- Hotel Zero Degrees, Norwalk
- Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Old Saybrook
- Homestead Inn, New Milford
- Delamar Greenwich Harbor
- White Hart Inn
- Grace Mayflower Inn and Spa
- The Whaler’s Inn, Mystic
- Inn at Harbor Hill Marina B&B, Niantic
- Stanton House Inn, Greenwich
- Interlaken Inn, Lakeville
- The Blake Hotel, New Haven
- Most Romantic Restaurants in Connecticut
- Most Romantic Bars in Connecticut
- Romantic Things To Do in Connecticut
- Romantic Areas To Stay in Connecticut
Hotel Zero Degrees, Norwalk
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Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk is the perfect budget romantic hotel in Connecticut. Couples looking to save some bucks and still enjoy an amazing romantic Connecticut getaway will love this modern and affordable hotel, especially the Studio king Suite. Not only does it have views of the treetops and a waterfall, but the bathroom has a welcoming soaking tub where you can enjoy long soaks with your partner. And once you’re inside your cocooned love nest, you’ll forget that the hotel lies on a busy commercial street.
Your day begins with a complimentary warm breakfast buffet, a thoughtful extra for a budget hotel. Moreover, the rooftop lounge with pool tables and ping-pong is BYO and for guests staying at the hotel only. So, it feels more like a private space. Do you want to mingle or explore life outside the hotel? The adjoining restaurant Mediterraneo has a waterfall-facing glass, which it retracts in good weather. That’s why it’s one of the best romantic CT hotels.
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Old Saybrook
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Finally, here’s an actual lighthouse that you can actually sleep in! Welcome to the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, a 100-room romantic boutique hotel in Old Saybrook. While all rooms and suites here are magnificent, the pièce de résistance is the seasonal Lighthouse Suite. It sits in the lighthouse in the adjacent marina at the end of the dock and up a short outer staircase. Cook romantic meals in the kitchenette and enjoy a rom-com on the couch in the living room.
The rest of the inn is equally fantastic, as it has two other homey guest houses with communal spaces and pool tables. After a hearty continental breakfast, enjoy a dip in the year-round saltwater pool and lounge on the daybed. In the afternoons, the spa with many massages and treatments awaits you and your beloved. Finally, enjoy an intimate and romantic meal at the onsite restaurant Fresh Salt, complete with water views. This romantic hotel in CT is a must-stay for couples.
Homestead Inn, New Milford
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The Homestead Inn in New Milford is the most romantic hotel in Connecticut. Tucked in a historic Belle Haven house in Greenwich, the hotel is most famous for its superb French restaurant. This restaurant serves all meals, including a hearty and homemade New England breakfast. Do note that the atmosphere and dressing are formal, which also extends to the rooms and suites.
All of them feature objets d’art and eclectic antiques from owner Theresa Carroll’s travels. Choose from nine rooms each in the Carriage and Manor Houses, many of which sport bold wall colors. Favorite rooms include 124 and 134 in the Manor House, with many windows and fresh green and blue decor. Another favorite is no. 117 in the Carriage House, which has Asian-themed decor and a veranda!
The main wraparound porch with white wicker chairs and the living room with a fireplace are the best places to hang out during summers and winters. It’s no wonder this is one of Connecticut’s most romantic inns.
Delamar Greenwich Harbor
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Delamar Greenwich Harbor at the mouth of Greenwich Harbor is perfect for romantic escapades in the town. All rooms at this stylish waterfront hotel are amazing, but the harbor-view rooms feature balconies. In fact, the most romantic of them all also have soaking tubs and fireplaces, making them the perfect love nest for a romantic getaway. Nevertheless, they all feature refined French decor, plush carpets, and soothing hues. The rest of the hotel is equally romantic, such as the restaurant L’Escale, which has a patio overlooking the harbor. You could book a couples’ massage at the hotel’s spa. In the evenings, you can book a private romantic cruise from right outside the hotel, at the private dock. That’s why this is one of the most romantic inns in Connecticut.
White Hart Inn
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The White Hart Inn is one of the most romantic inns in Connecticut. This 1805-built house was brought back to life by local residents, turning it into the famed romantic destination it is today. Foodie couples will absolutely love staying here due to the many amazing dining options. Aside from the airy dining room, there’s also an upscale cafe and a pub-like tap room. The pristine lawns and the wide, covered porch are the perfect places to spend some quiet time with your beloved, no matter the season. All around the hotel, you’ll find cozy corners for curling up with cocktails together.
You’ll be head over heels in love with the rooms, which boast a striking art collection, hardwood floors, and a tasteful neutral color palette. The Deluxe Suite is gorgeous, with a living room, a four-poster bed, and a luxe bathroom with a deep-soaking bathtub. Why wouldn’t it be one of the most romantic CT hotels?
Grace Mayflower Inn and Spa
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The Grace Mayflower Inn and Spa is one of the most exclusive Relais and Châteaux properties in the country. It’s also one of New England’s best spa hotels and a romantic destination in its own right. It’s elegant without being stuffy, especially when it comes to the digs, which are just 30 in number! What’s more, they’re spread across four buildings and are all different; some have a fireplace, while others have a balcony or sitting area. What’s more, they’re all done up in pretty sorbet shades, and the most indulgent and romantic ones have luxe bathrooms with double vanities and bathtubs. Isn’t it the most romantic hotel in CT?
Since it’s an indulgent destination spa, do enjoy a couple’s massage or treatment that’ll certainly leave you wanting more. When it’s not spa time, it’s time to enjoy a soothing dip in the indoor and outdoor pools, which also have daybeds by them. Besides beautiful gardens and innovative dining, there are also specific summer and winter activities such as golf courses, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
The Whaler’s Inn, Mystic
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The Whaler’s Inn is the most romantic hotel in Connecticut’s Mystic, and it’s easy to see why. Firstly, the property has a host of amazing rooms and suites for couples. We think you’ll like the suites with air-jet soaking tubs, gas fireplaces, and river views. What’s more, they even offer special packages such as “Bubbles and Blossoms,” which come with desserts, flowers, a bottle of sparkling wine, and souvenir champagne flutes. They even have a gift and “A’Board & Bottle,” a curated charcuterie wine and board experience. If you do manage to leave your romantic digs, stop at the onsite restaurant, the Shipwright’s Daughter. They serve a mean cuisine; think brioche French toast for breakfast and oysters for dinner. Why don’t you top off your Mystic experience with a sunset cruise?
Inn at Harbor Hill Marina B&B, Niantic
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The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina B&B in Niantic is one picture-perfect waterfront property overlooking the lovely Long Island Sound. In fact, the inn is so romantic that it has three special packages for couples looking for a special escape. These include the “Getaway” package, the “Perfect Together” package, and the “Relax and Recharge” package. All of them include some combination of plush robes, slippers, charcuterie boards, wine bottles, champagne, chocolate truffles, morning mimosas, and flowers! You can enjoy all these perks in the company of your beloved in one of the rooms with balconies, such as the one below. it overlooks the Niantic marina and makes for a gorgeous place to celebrate a romantic holiday. The best bit? A complimentary homemade breakfast buffet awaits you each morning.
Stanton House Inn, Greenwich
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The Stanton House Inn is not just the best romantic hotel in Connecticut, but it’s also one of the best in-room jacuzzi hotels in Connecticut! The inn has a romantic atmosphere throughout the seasons, especially in the rooms and suites. Couples will love the Sackett and King Suites, both of which have whirlpool tubs for two in the room. The king suite is even more indulgent; it has a clawfoot tub and a fireplace, which you can combine with the romantic getaway package. So, you can enjoy the company of your beloved, topped by sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to your suite.
Spending a laidback day is easy at the Stanton House Inn. Your day begins with a complimentary breakfast which you can enjoy on the patio during summer. Enjoy afternoon tea in the formal dining room and relax with a book on the patio. During the day, arrange for a picnic basket and spend your day exploring the charming Greenwich. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most romantic CT hotels.
Interlaken Inn, Lakeville
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Yet another romantic hotel in CT is the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville. All accommodations at this lakeside inn in the Berkshires have an aura of romance. But, the Penthouse Suite is the pinnacle of romance, with French doors opening onto a private rooftop garden. What’s more, it also features a linear fireplace and a hot tub. That’s why it’s the ultimate in romance, especially when you call ahead for champagne and flowers to be delivered to your room.
Since the inn is surrounded by acres of lush gardens, you and your beloved can take long romantic walks. What’s more, there is also access to lakefront activities such as swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, after which you can head to the spa for a couple’s massage or treatment. One of the best ways to spend the heated outdoor pool is lounging on the daybeds next to it. End the day with an intimate candlelit dinner for two at Morgan’s, the farm-to-table restaurant at the inn.
The Blake Hotel, New Haven
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The Blake Hotel is the most romantic hotel in Connecticut. It’s a welcome addition to New Haven’s lodging scene and feels like a hideaway in the middle of the city’s cultural scene. The industrial accents are sexy as hell, as are the snuggly robes, comfy beds, and swish bathrooms. The Corner Suite is particularly romantic, especially since it has mod-cons such as a mini-fridge, a coffeemaker, and a huge bathroom with shower space for two. When you feel like leaving your digs, head to the buzzy rooftop bar for evening drinks before enjoying an intimate dinner at the onsite restaurant. With perks such as free Wi-Fi, bicycles for rent, and shuttles around the town, this hotel was designed for couples who were wanderers.
Most Romantic Restaurants in Connecticut
- Rocks 21, Mystic: There are so many waterfront restaurants in Connecticut that you can’t count them, but Rocks 21 in Mystic is a standout. This excellent and expansive spot features stunning views from the lovely patio and serves delicious wood-fired pizzas and seafood.
- Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, Simsbury: Millwright’s in Simsbury boasts a formal dining room with striking views of a waterfall. Besides fine dining, it also has a more casual and relaxed area in the form of a tavern. But, no matter where you sit, there’s an incredible four-course meal waiting for you.
Most Romantic Bars in Connecticut
- Bernard’s, Ridgefield: This beautiful French restaurant/country inn has been a staple in the region for more than 20 years. This award-winning wine bar has a stunning garden for outdoor dining, making it the perfect place for evening aperitifs. Try the Chateau Haut Bicou or the Domaine de l’Olivette as you and your beloved partner enjoy the romantic ambiance.
- Shell & Bones Oyster Bar: Whoever said that bars had to be only alcohol bars? And when we say a bar in Connecticut, we also mean an oyster bar! Imagine a picture-perfect waterfront and dig into the delicious raw bar, steak, and seafood.
Romantic Things To Do in Connecticut
- Movie date at the Mansfield Drive-in Movie Theater: Connecticut has some amazing date ideas, but none to rival watching a movie at the Mansfield Drive-in movie theater. This theater, which also has a snack bar, opens for business every spring. The best bit? Each ticket gets you to access to a double feature of two movies!
Romantic Areas To Stay in Connecticut
Connecticut is all bout charming towns and cities that are the perfect setting for romance. We begin with the quaint rural town of Chester, which offers a panacea for stressed travelers. It has a charming main street and a town center, complete with cute gift shops and cafés. Secondly, there’s the former seaport of Mystic, which now boasts a long list of maritime-based attractions. New Haven looks like it’s straight out of a postcard, with impressive galleries, tree-lined avenues, and the charming campus of Yale University. It’s also a great place for museum geeks, as it’s home to the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
The former Dutch trading post of Hartford on the Connecticut River might be the state capital, but it has many attractions for couples. Art museums, historical structures, and state parks abound in Connecticut’s state capital, which is great for couples. Couples who love small-town country charm will love Cornwall, just like its British counterpart – lush landscapes, quaint buildings, and unique shops. Old-fashioned Milford on the Wepawaug River has a long pirates-and-buried-treasure history and many beaches. Kent and Old Saybrook are hotspots for summer fun, complete with lush foliage, fresh salty air, and state parks with stunning landscapes.
Beach bums will love Madison, a sweet oceanside town that’s one of the best beach towns in the state. Historical Litchfield is as pretty as historical towns get, adorned by lush landscapes. Gilmore Girls fans will love Essex, which is famous for the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat experience. Wrapping up this list are Westport and Greenwich, both of which are an easy commute from Manhattan.