The ever-famous “West Coast Best Coast” is rooted in an apparent rivalry with America’s East Coast, but the truth is there’s no real battle between the two regions. Comparing the West Coast to the East Coast is like comparing a 28-day dry-aged ribeye and NY Strip: they both explode with flavor, but the nuances of texture and taste are uniquely different (and I’d eat either option no questions asked).
So too are both East and West Coast regions unique in their style, culture, and flavor. You’re going to get access to certain things in Maine, the Catskill Mountains, and rural New York that you simply won’t find in Yosemite, the Rockies, or California beach towns.
In honor of our East Coast brothers and sisters, we wanted to explore some of the most epic boutique hotels and properties that embody the sentiment and feeling of Northeast living. From harborside living to remote treehouses in the mountains, each of the 13 options below is guaranteed to deliver a truly authentic Northeastern experience.
1. The Woods Maine
If you’re going to Maine, The Woods needs to be at the top of your list for epic destinations. Why? Two words: tree house. This high-end home is tucked into the lush, forested canopy of the woods in Norway, Maine, and is the perfect place to drink in the fresh mountain air.
Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to design a place you’re never going to want to leave: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, whitewashed barn wood, full kitchen, cozy eating nook, elegant fixtures, and vast window views. It’s a great home base to go explore hidden, local towns or the 10 acres surrounding your private access to Lake Pennesseewassee. Or stay perched in the trees all day!
2. Huttopia Southern Maine
Let’s be real: there are few places with more fun sounding names than Huttopia. And it’s exactly what the name implies. Located on the Southern Coast of Maine, only a few miles inland from Kennebunkport and Wells, you’ll land at the cozy property that’s filled with glamping options: canvas tents, modern chalets, or more rustic accommodations.
When you’re not lounging out at the pool, you can enjoy yoga classes, canoe trips, or plunge into the nearby lake for some swimming. Don’t forget to hit the Bistro-Bar (open during summer months) for some smooth cappuccino, healthy smoothies, ice cold beers, local wines, and gourmet food options. In a lot of ways, Huttopia is like summer camp for adults, but there’s no annoying counselors to deal with—just relaxation.
3. Terramor Outdoor Resort
Terramor Outdoor Resort, located in Bar Harbor, offers their guests authentic and immersive experiences within nature. This isn’t a rough and tumble property with outhouses and campfire cookstoves though. It’s a designer hideaway in the woods where you can wake with the sounds of nature in the morning and go to sleep under the stars each night.
You’ll be able to experience it all from the comfort of an upscale glamping tent (with WiFi, overhead fans, and private bathrooms) set in the forested wilderness of Mount Desert Island. And at the center of the property is The Lodge, with dining options, a full bar, pool, and hot tubs. There’s no shortage of activities on-site, and The Acadia National Park is right nextdoor for those who want to go off-campus to explore the woods deeper.
4. Purposely Lost
Have you ever wanted to get lost on purpose? Purposely Lost might be the perfect option for you. They offer a luxury treehouse located on a trout pond in Southern Maine, and it prioritizes peace and tranquility. There’s no police sirens, late night partiers, or Harley’s riding by. Only the soft sounds of nature and lush greenery await.
This treehouse hotel is has a lofted two story cabin with a full kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living room. Although, you’re likely going to spend the majority of your time outside kayaking on Littlefield Pond, fishing off the private dock, or soaking in the hot tub (yes please!). Perhaps the best part about Purposely Lost is that it’s built around sustainability, or eco-luxury as they call it: recycled and reclaimed materials were used in the construction and highly energy efficient.
5. Foxfire Mountain House
The Catskill Mountains, near New York, are home to some of our favorite properties. It’s one of the things that drew us to Foxfire Mountain House, a relaxed BoHo boutique that sits on 10 acres of private land in the Catskills.
For the past 100 years the inn has housed travelers looking for stone fireplaces, relaxed ambiance, exciting conversations, and a community of like-minded explorers. Throughout the property there are unique touches of simple sophistication like wooden beds hand-crafted by local carpenters, Moroccan tile decorations, and a collection of antlers mounted on the walls.
6. The Woodhouse Lodge
In 1962 the Woodhouse Lodge was built as a modern escape for those in search of a much needed break from the hustle of the New York City lifestyle. It’s tucked into the Catskill Mountains, shining as a mid-century jewel on four acres of pristine land.
The exterior still mirrors the 60s, but the inside has been heavily updated since the days of burnt-orange shag carpets and recessed living room floors (how were those ever fashionable?) to feature 10 luxury-driven rooms. It’s a perfect modern-meets-rural environment where you can sit by oversized fireplaces, relax on sprawling green lawns, and gear up for nearby adventures in the mountains.
7. Audrey’s Farmhouse
Audrey’s Farmhouse is the embodiment of East Coast history, dating all the way back to 1740. Initially, it was built as a cedar-shingled farmhouse, hence the name, but was turned into a commercial flower nursery in the 1950s. Since then, it’s blossomed into a beautiful new flower (see what I did there?) for travelers seeking a niche, boutique hotel in Wallkill, New York.
It’s seated on five acres of farmland, has 20 rooms in total, and is always innovating new concepts to delight their guests. For example, they have installed a working greenhouse, a fresh on-site restaurant in The Greenhouses Kitchen, and are working out the details of a general store concept and another lodging facility. For those obsessed with the small-town charms of the East Coast, this is the perfect destination.
8. The Wayfinder Hotel
What happens when you get a group of hospitality-obsessed chefs, bartenders, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs together in the same room in Newport, Rhode Island? Easy. You get a The Wayfinder Hotel, which is just as character-driven as the powerhouse individuals behind the concept.
It’s a refreshing take on the traditional Newport hotel experience, featuring spacious rooms, hand-selected local art, kickass on-site dining (with pool-side service), a high-end coffee shop, and craft design aesthetics everywhere. You’ll fall in love with The Wayfinder Hotel as you listen to the waves crash on the shores of Newport Beach over a warm brown butter lobster roll.
9. The Hunter Houses
When Danielle and Ely decided to buy The Hunter Houses—a two-house property in rural New York—in early 2016, the property was, bluntly speaking, a nightmare. The walls were water stained, everything was painted in off-putting colors, linoleum tiles were stuck on the floors, and the bathroom had horrific wood paneling.
The young couple poured their heart and soul into a two-year renovation, and their hard work has turned a nightmare into a veritable dream. Seriously, you have to check out the before and after picture sliders on their site. Now, you can book a stay at either the Greenhouse or Barnhouse, each of which is perfectly polished and outfitted with sexy amenities and luxurious modern touches.
10. Scribner’s Catskill Lodge
Scribner’s Catskill Lodge was built for a new generation of urban explorers looking for respite from city life in the Catskill Mountains, which seems to be a common thread for people who live in New York City. The year-round destination has been around since 1881, where it was known as The Hunter Mountain Prospect House: a grand hotel that could sleep hundreds and was known as the only place worth going in the summer.
It might not sleep hundreds of people anymore (38 guest rooms total), but the property still retains elements of its grandeur that shine through the thoughtful design, top tier guest service, and 20 acres of mountainside terrain to explore. This summer mountain hotel, by day, or night, the fresh air and star-filled skies will captivate your soul: don’t forget to pair it with a heaping basket of s’mores and wine.
11. Tops’L Farm
Tops’L Farm is anything but your typical farm. You won’t find tractors, barnyard animals, or freshly manured fields (thank God). Instead, as the property owners say, you’ll get a “mashup of the exhilaration of summer camp, the comfort and simplicity of Grandma’s kitchen, and the laid back smoothness of a perfect Anejo tequila.” Damn if that doesn’t sound all kinds of perfect.
Here, you’ll get overnight cabins or glamp tent lodgings wrapped in 83 acres of unadulterated Maine nature. The whole aim of Tops’L Farm is to help you reconnect in nature through morning walks in the woods, star-filled nights, and roaring fires. It’s been the property’s ethos since 1936, and they won’t be stopping anytime soon.
12. Yachtsman Hotel and Marina
It wouldn’t be a roundup of the Northeast’s finest if we didn’t include at least one boutique hotel with the name “yacht” in it, and The Yachtsman Hotel and Marina absolutely delivers in the best of ways. Think of it as your personal, private retreat dropped right on the waters and sandy beaches of Kennebunkport, Maine.
Each of the Harborfront Bungalows has its own terrace and private garden overlooking a shimmering river, which flows directly into the Atlantic only a quarter-mile away. And with a marina right nearby, you can live out your wildest yachting dreams with your own boat, or enjoying one that’s owned by the hotel. And when you return to port, fill up on all the coastal Maine favorites dished out by Kennebunkport’s best chefs.
13. The Tides Beach Club
The Tides Beach Club is another picture-perfect Kennebunkport option that features 21 guest rooms, including two oceanfront suites. You’ll find the energy on the property is a perfect match for the fresh and invigorating salt air that comes off the waves breaking on shore: cool, simple, luxurious, and energetic.
Throughout the boutique beach hotel you’ll get your fill of contemporary coastal decor that features crisp natural tones and colors that pop. There are even two suites designed personally by Jonathan Adler, each of which feature unobstructed views of the water from the private balcony and each window. It’s East Coast oceanfront boutique central—don’t skip out on The Tides Beach Club this summer.
Remember, it doesn’t matter where you end up—be it East Coast or West Coast—so long as you’re enjoying a stay in style and comfort. At Luxpitality, we pride ourselves on finding the hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path wonders, and flat-out best boutique hotels around to ensure that you do.
If any of the hotels on this list grab your interest, we’ll get your next trip booked. Reach out to us today!