Spicer Mansion

Mystic, Conn. When Elihu Spicer built his family a summer home in 1853, the Connecticut sea captain “spared no expense,” said Alyson Krueger in The New York Times. Stained glass was installed at the entry and ceilings were painted in real gold. The home eventually fell into disrepair, but after being restored to its glory, the property reopened last year as an eight-room luxury hotel. “Small touches everywhere make it feel homey.” A pillow embroidered with my initial waited on my bed. At the top of the stairs, a service table offered tea in the afternoon, and a fine port later on. spicermansion.com; doubles from $370