Judging from the interiors of the Boulders Inn, you'd never guess it was built more than 100 years ago. That's because businessman Steven Goldstone and managing partner Martin O'Brien, a former executive at Ian Schrager Hotels, gutted the Ehrick Rossiter-designed Dutch Colonial mansion and invested $2 million to create a luxe lakefront getaway just 80 miles north of New York City. An Adirondacks-meets-Telluride theme—an antler chandelier, antique armoires, antelope-skin carpets—is echoed throughout the 20 understated rooms in the main lodge, carriage house, and four cottages. But it's the little things that count: candles lit at turndown;bikes, kayaks, and hiking maps ready at a moment's notice. Wind down with a glass of red wine from the cellar's 300-plus bottles and a sunset dinner of olive-crusted rack of lamb in the dining room, overlooking Lake Waramaug. Boulders Inn, Rte. 45, New Preston, Conn.; 800/455-1565 or 860/868-0541; www.bouldersinn.com; doubles from $350, including breakfast.
—Hillary Geronemus