The Designers Behind Your Favorite Hotels in the Northeast

Image courtesy of Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

Whether because of a milestone celebration or another special experience, there are some hotel memories that just stay with you. And then there are those properties that impress you just by the sheer beauty of their design. 

Read on for a few of our favorite well-designed hotels across the northeast United States, plus intel on the designers behind them. From creating a sense of place to infusing urban design with Moroccan-inspired flair, these designers made their vision a reality in hotels across New England and New York.

Discover the latest in stylish hotels when you connect with your Fora Advisor.

Troutbeck & Alexandra Champalimaud 

Images courtesy of Troutbeck

Located only two hours north of Manhattan and less than a mile from the Connecticut border, Troutbeck feels a world away. Driving up to the 250-acre property, you can almost feel your stress melt away. Swaths of vibrant lawns and meadows border large wooded parcels, with gathering places carved out for intentional conviviality. And with a history of hosting writers like Ralph Waldo Emerison and Zora Neale Hurston, it’s no accident that the 18th-century estate inspires creativity, a heritage very much at the forefront of designer Alexandra Champalimaud’s vision.

Together with her son Anthony Champalimaud, who owns Troutbeck, Alexandra embarked on a mission to bring fresh vision to the property while retaining its spirit. The property consists of several buildings, with the charming stone manor at its core. Three other houses offer rooms that are perfect for a group, and all bear the masterful touch of Alexandra, who strove to include pieces from local artisans who were familiar with the area and its understated Northeastern aesthetic.

“When renovating and designing the interiors of Troutbeck, Alexandra Champalimaud really did a deep-dive on the history and soul of the place,” RT Facts co-owner Natalie Randall said. “She made sure we understood that when she tapped us to collaborate on furniture and lighting. It was important to recreate the atmosphere in a fresh and contemporary way.”

Rooms range from pale painted walls with modern velvet furnishings to saturated statement rooms boasting four-poster beds. Lighting is modern and minimalist, and most rooms are outfitted with thoughtful nooks for quiet contemplation or writing. Whether it's using reclaimed wood from the Tappan Zee Bridge, tucking weathered books in shelves or brightening timbered rooms with glossy floors, there is no mistaking the expert blend of new and old.

Perfect for a weekend escape from New York City, Troutbeck provides all the trappings needed so you never have to set foot off the estate (unless you want to, of course). The restaurant is open for all meals every day and prides itself on fresh, regional ingredients, and the wellness program includes a bright barn space for yoga, a fitness center and an outdoor pool, plus miles of trails and a tennis court.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast for two, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.
  
  

Bonus: For those seeking an urban adventure, check out The Newberry in Boston, where Alexandra shifted gears and created sleek, intimate spaces using a subdued palate brightened with brushed brass fixtures and rounded contemporary lines. Fora Perks at the Newbury include a $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast for two, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection & Celerie Kemble

Image courtesy of Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

Set in the bucolic hills of Washington, Connecticut, the Mayflower Inn was once home to a boys school and was transformed into an upscale getaway in the 1920s. Guests wind their way up through a wooded driveway to the inn, which sits atop a hill surrounded by 58 gorgeous acres. 

The historic manor has always exuded a country-chic elegance, but in 2020, designer Celerie Kemble brought a decidedly fresh take to the property, inviting more of the outdoor landscape indoors.

Celerie is known for elevating and brightening interiors with a hint of playfulness, which is particularly evident in the Mayflower’s exquisite Garden Room. Highlighting a menu of locally sourced recipes, the dining space pays homage to the blossoming gardens that are visible through the large paned windows. Soft cream walls are painted with butterflies, blooms and fronds, giving the illusion of the garden growing inside, while charming glass lanterns hang from a lattice cutout ceiling above. 

The 28 spacious guest rooms and seven suites (some in stand-alone cottages) echo the garden theme, with flowery draperies, textured wallcoverings and surprising pieces of modern art creating a cheerful, yet sophisticated vibe. Generous suites add unique features, including sitting rooms or wood-paneled libraries with fireplaces and airy balconies, while four-poster beds and oriental rugs give a nod to the mansion’s New England roots.

Guests are not only wined and dined at the Mayflower but can also find zen at THE WELL. Bringing together wellness for the mind, body and soul, the wellness center takes inspiration from both Eastern and Western approaches, offering a menu of treatments, workshops and retreats. The indoor pool and relaxation lounge carry on a scaled-back garden aesthetic, opting for cool neutrals and green foliage for a serene setting.

“The amazing spa is worth a visit alone,” Fora Advisor Natalie Kurtzman said. “This is the kind of property that invites you to bring a good book and relax. There are hiking trails right out the back door, and an amazing food and beverage program.”

Fora Reserve Perks:

• $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for two and a turndown amenity.
  
  

The Lowell Hotel & Michael Smith

Image courtesy of The Lowell

If you didn’t know it was there, you might walk right by The Lowell Hotel, which sits just off Madison Avenue a block from Central Park. But after stepping inside, it doesn’t take long to notice the property’s refined style. Michael Smith tackled the refresh of this classic hotel, known for its reliable service and excellent Upper East Side location.

The hotel’s 74 rooms and suites have a traditional but updated feel. Tufted upholstered chairs and oriental rugs make guests feel like they’re in a grand home, and some suites tout living rooms with fireplaces and up to two bedrooms, plus a few have terraces. Carved wooden furnishings and floor-length draperies add a bit of romance, and practical amenities abound, like kitchenettes and writing desks. 

An oasis in the city, don’t miss savoring a meal at Majorelle, the hotel’s restaurant also designed by Michael Smith. Conjuring garden party vibes with a nod to Jardin de Majorelle in Marrakech, the space is enchanting. Large vases filled with blooms overarch white-clad tables set with dazzling pops of colorful tableware, while a skylight lends a solarium feel to part of the dining room. And the French dishes are delectable works of art in themselves.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast for two, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.
  
  

Four Seasons Boston & Ken Fulk

Images courtesy of Four Seasons Boston

With views overlooking Boston’s Public Garden, the Four Seasons stands as a beacon of sophisticated style within easy reach of the city’s historic sites and Newbury Street’s abundant shopping. The hotel’s simple glass and brick exterior are an unassuming front to the cornucopia of design within. Renowned for his energetic and theatrical designs, Ken Fulk revamped the interiors to invite guests into a wonderland of style.

As guests move through the lobby, broad, curved entryways create a kaleidoscope effect, with one bedazzled space opening to the next. Glamorous opaque glass lanterns warmly light gathering spaces, which are decked out in English greens and golden russets atop checkered tiles. The inviting bar has a retro vibe with swivel stools and upholstered seating. 

Leaving the brocade fabrics and dark jewel tones behind, the hotel’s guest rooms and suites offer a tranquil neutral palette, with high-end bedding, marble bathrooms and discreet lighting. Larger suites offer dining and living rooms, as well as superb Public Garden views. Other property amenities include an indoor pool, boasting spectacular city views, on-site dining and a fabulous brick courtyard with outdoor seating.

“The Four Seasons features an array of dining options, including The Sanctuary, a guest-exclusive outdoor urban oasis, as well as an indoor pool that overlooks both Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill, my favorite neighborhood to wander through,” Fora Advisor Hannah Corderman said.

Fora Perks:

• When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
  
  

Get in touch with your Fora Advisor to plan your stylish Northeastern getaway.