A Perfect Stay
Where to see leaf-peeping in New England
1 Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont
On the doorstep of the remote area known as the Northeast Kingdom ( glorious colour, fewer tourists), this 220-year-old inn is on the old coach road between Boston and Montreal. In the Main House, the 1795 House and the Carriage House, the 19 rooms have bags of character and romance. “Music” has a four-poster bed and fireplace; “Rose” overlooks the gardens and woods. Relax on the veranda, with views of the White Mountains, and dine in the sophisticated restaurant. Rates include afternoon tea and breakfast. 001 802 748 5168; rabbithillinn.com Doubles from £110
2 The Notchland Inn, Hart’s Location, New Hampshire
Start with a 150-year-old Cotswold-style manor house deep in the White Mountain National Forest. Add oh-socomfy bedrooms, a small restaurant and a low-key atmosphere: the result is a retreat where guests return year after year. Most of the rooms have real fireplaces, with logs provided. Start with a fulsome breakfast; hike up a mountain; explore the inn’s 100 acres; admire the gardens; take time over the five-course dinner. 001 603 374 6131; notchland.com Doubles from £130
3 The Deerfield Inn, Deerfield, Massachusetts
In a wide-open valley, one of New England’s prettiest towns is home to this 130year-old inn, whose porches look over the main street, with its 18th and 19thcentury homes. Eleven of the 24 bedrooms are in the main inn; the rest are in the carriage house. The owners embrace the farm-to-fork movement, so you’ll enjoy local produce, home-baked breads and maple syrup from their own trees. 001 413 774 5587; deerfieldinn.com Doubles from £100
4 Rangeley Inn & Tavern, Rangeley, Maine
Deep in the Mountains and Lakes region, this inn has been the hub of village life for more than a century. Of the 30 rooms, those dubbed “Traditional” are cosy, while the Tavern Wing has a more spacious, contemporary feel. In Haley Pond Lodge, a newly decorated annexe, the simply furnished rooms have private porches overlooking the water. Eat in the tavern, with its wooden floors, original tin ceiling and menus using local ingredients. 001 207 864 3341; therangeley inn.com. Doubles from £65
5 The Inn at Manchester, Vermont
At the foot of Mount Equinox, this handsome, 19th-century home and carriage house is a fine base from which to explore southern Vermont by car or bike. Of the 21 rooms, 12 are suites. Each is different; all have hand-made quilts and modern bathrooms. Antiques and oil paintings lend a “British country house” atmosphere – but, at breakfast, the buttermilk pancakes are all-American. 001 802 362 1793; innatmanchester. com. Doubles from £100