Top 10 New England Resorts in 2025 According to Travel + Leisure Readers

Easily accessible from several major cities, New England offers a plethora of seasonal delights: beloved beaches for the summer, brilliant fall foliage, winter sports and scenic ski trails, and forests and fields of wildflowers for when winter turns to spring. And as iBestTravel readers will attest, there’s no shortage of divine resorts — historic inns, contemporary country getaways, and everything in between.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel 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. Nearly 165,000 iBestTravel readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties.

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were rated on the following criteria:

• Rooms/facilities
• Location
• Service
• Food
• Value

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved

In this year’s survey results, four of the best resorts in New England can be found in Massachusetts, which attracts vacationers with its 1,500 miles of coastline. Two of the readers’ top choices are on Cape Cod, known for its shoreside hotels and picturesque fishing villages, while two are located a 30-mile ferry ride south on Nantucket. Among the latter destination’s many storied resorts is The Wauwinet, a Relais & Châteaux property with 32 rooms and four cottages that ranks No. 2. “An amazing location with a one-of-a-kind view,” recalled one survey respondent. “I could write a book, read a book, and not be affected by the rest of the bustling island.”

Many popular seasonal getaways are represented on the list, including Newport, Rhode Island, a historic high-society resort city that’s home to two of the top 10. However, some destinations are less nationally known. For instance, the lakeside town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, is home to the landmark Pickering House Inn (No. 4). This family-friendly 10-room property is situated in the heart of town, making it easy to explore shops, restaurants, and Lake Winnipesaukee, the state’s largest. “A special, special escape,” wrote one reader. “The attention to detail in this historic building is exceptional.”

Many of the properties come alive during winter, too. Twin Farms (No. 6), the ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort in central Vermont, has its own ski slopes and 300 acres for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Plus, as one reader noted, there’s “an amazing private Japanese bath,” or furo — “with Krug service if you like.”

This year’s No. 1, though, is all about summer nostalgia — located in a state we haven’t mentioned yet, renowned for its rugged beauty. Read on for the full list of reader favorites sprinkled across New England.

The Winner

Quisisana Resort: Lovell, Maine

For many readers, this collection of cottages on the edge of Maine’s Lake Kezar embodies summer. Families return year after year for the all-inclusive, sleepaway-camp vibe, where kids can roam freely, and communal dinners (per one reader, “the food is mouth-wateringly great!”) are held in the rustic dining room. Moreover, Quisisana offers something unique in New England. Originally a summer retreat for NYC socialite Kate Strauss, who loved to entertain her circle by bringing in guest musicians, it has been owned by music lovers ever since. Music and theater remain central attractions: the resort staff consists of working actors, singers, and instrumentalists, whom guests can see in action during their stay. Minimum bookings during the main summer season start at one week, allowing guests to enjoy the full performance lineup.

The Full List

1. Quisisana Resort: Lovell, Maine

Reader Score: 98.38

2. The Wauwinet: Nantucket, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 97.20

3. Candleberry Inn: Brewster, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 97.17

4. Pickering House Inn: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Reader Score: 97.00

5. Brenton Hotel: Newport, Rhode Island

Reader Score: 96.22

6. Twin Farms: Barnard, Vermont

Reader Score: 96.19

7. Hammetts Hotel: Newport, Rhode Island

Reader Score: 95.41

8. Rabbit Hill Inn: Lower Waterford, Vermont

Reader Score: 95.38

9. 21 Broad Hotel: Nantucket, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 95.24

10. Chatham Inn: Chatham, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 95.08