Score: 96.21
One thing that this part of the country has going for it: geographic diversity, and yes, the fact that you can experience all four seasons. Visitors can delight in the quiet, coastal beauty of Maine and Massachusetts come spring and summer, enjoy a ski-filled getaway in Vermont come winter, or drive their way through New York on a leaf-spotting road trip come fall.
This year's winners are as diverse as the seasons and states themselves, ranging from family-friendly properties to couples-focused resorts that are decidedly more formal. Take Blantyre, a castle-like estate in the Berkshires that dates back to 1901. Staying here feels like stepping back in time, with the dining room decked out in fine china, crystal, and fresh flowers. "Blantyre is my top choice for a sybaritic luxury weekend, old-school-style," said one reader. "This is the closest you can feel in the USA to being part of the aristocracy."
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Hotels were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.
While Blantyre embraces its old-world vibe, two popular beach retreats — the White Elephant Village, on the tony island of Nantucket, and the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, on Cape Cod — offer the quintessential American beach experience. "Fourth of July is particularly fun, as they have an old-fashioned barbecue," said one reader of Wequassett. "My family and I go every summer."
But leave it to Vermont to claim the No. 1 and No. 2 hotels in the region. The Rabbit Hill Inn is a 19-room B&B in the northeastern part of the state, set on 15 acres of grounds and trails. Twin Farms, however, is in a league of its own; this all-inclusive country retreat has 10 unique cottages, a two-room Lodge, a four-suite Farmhouse, and a four-room Main House set on 300 acres of pristine wilderness. Read on for more on this romantic Relais & Chateaux property.
1. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
Score: 97.54
If you come for the lemon soufflé pancakes alone (they were named one of T+L's best dishes in the country), you won't be disappointed in Twin Farms, which feels like a magical summer camp for grown-ups. Activities include snowshoeing and downhill skiing in the winter, and fly-fishing and canoeing in Copper Pond in the summer. And you'd better work up an appetite: in the Main House, chef Nathan Rich treats guests to multicourse extravaganzas, and sommelier Keven Ring pairs each dish with a wine from the 15,000-bottle cellar.
