An East-Meets-West Wellness Journey in New England

Renowned as one of Northeast America’s most distinguished hideaways, Mayflower Inn & Spa is an exquisite, century-old country retreat steeped in wellness.

For fans of Gilmore Girls, Litchfield is said to have inspired the fictional town of “Stars Hallow” while Mayflower Inn & Spa was the basis for the show’s famous “Independence Inn.”

Situated just a two-hour drive from New York City, Mayflower Inn & Spa is one of the twenty-seven properties around the world that comprise the Auberge Resorts Collection. Here, Auberge’s commitment to showcasing the soul of the destination shines with a modern take on classic New England charm. The property is set amid fifty-eight acres of landscaped gardens and wild woodlands, in bucolic, and undersung, Litchfield County, Connecticut. For fans of Gilmore Girls, Litchfield is said to have inspired the fictional town of “Stars Hallow” while Mayflower Inn & Spa was the basis for the show’s famous “Independence Inn.”

Getting There

Located near the quaint town of Washington, Connecticut, your stay will find you set amid the idyllic countryside while still being close enough to the charms of town. Ask your SmartFlyer travel advisor for recommendations for antiquing or lunch at a favorite local haunt. Self-drive or chauffeur is the best way to reach the property; once you’re checked in, it feels as if you’ve escaped to a private world. Built back in 1894 as a school, the property has been a hotel since 1920 and a treasure of the region for just as long. Upon arrival at Mayflower Inn, guests are greeted by the serenity of the countryside, along with the beauty of the gray-shingled buildings—one lavish English-style country house and three standalone cottages—as well as the picturesque wide and welcoming porch. Beautifully designed gardens are abutted by wild woods and rolling hills, all of this combining to create a postcard-worthy version of New England hospitality and charm.

A Dash of Design Whimsy

The hotel’s centennial in 2020 was also marked by a renovation. Led by designer Celerie Kemble, the Mayflower Inn’s fresh look keeps the stateliness of the original gambrel-roofed exterior and marries it with the playfulness and patterns for which Kemble is best known. Whether you and your SmartFlyer travel advisor opt for your stay to be in one of the twenty-eight guest rooms or the seven grander suites, they are all uniquely decorated with their own version of the Kemble touch. The guest rooms are cozily and artfully decorated with botanical wallpaper, four poster beds with patterned bedspreads, antique furniture, and bold prints. Some guest rooms feature working fireplaces, and most feature private terraces beneath the growing oak and pine trees, all are deliciously comfortable.

So Much More Than Traditional Wellness

A recent Michelin key recipient, Mayflower Inn & Spa is getting accolades that signify this hotel as one of the best, though, awards aside it’s impossible not to give this property its deserved praise — from the minute guests step on the grounds, its special soul is sure to put visitors right at home. The property unveiled a total renovation in 2020, and while everything from the beautifully executed local dining to the elegant and ultra-comfortable guest rooms is superb, it is the hotel’s reimagined spa that defines the Mayflower Inn as a wellness destination a cut above the rest.

Whether you’re looking for a girlfriends’ getaway, a couples hideaway, or a solo wellness retreat, The Mayflower Inn & Spa hits every note.

Mayflower Inn’s THE WELL is a holistic health destination in and of itself. In collaboration with the popular New York City-based wellness concept, THE WELL boasts an ever-changing selection of guest speakers and healers who build upon the spa’s signature East-meets-West practices. Pair THE WELL’s treatments and daily workshops with hikes through nearby meadows alongside locally sourced multi-course dining, and you have the roadmap for a sophisticated and rejuvenating holiday. Whether you’re looking for a girlfriends’ getaway, a couples hideaway, or a solo wellness retreat, The Mayflower Inn & Spa hits every note.

The Property’s Crown Jewel: THE WELL

The pièce de résistance at the Mayflower Inn is the property’s spa, The WELL. Named in 2024 as one of Vogue’s “10 Best Spa Resorts in the United States,” The WELL is committed to holistic health and is a favorite among both hotel guests and membership-wielding locals. With 20,000 square feet of space, the spa includes steam rooms, a fitness studio, a yoga studio, treatment rooms, outdoor saunas with panoramic views of the countryside, a biophilic whirlpool, and an indoor pool. The spa building overlooks a brook and the property’s pond, which brings some of the natural relaxation of the outside world into the refurbished spa house; that blend of the interior and exterior is the signature of The WELL’s healing work. One of the property’s signature experiences is the outdoor (and weather-dependent) forest craniosacral experience where healing work is done right in the open of nature. 

Popular restorative programs include those with a focus on hydration, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition.

Myriad other offerings include more spiritual-focused healing like learning about incorporating crystals into your daily life, tarot card readings, and sound baths. Popular restorative programs include those with a focus on hydration, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition. On-site, there are also mindful movement-based wellness opportunities ranging from meditation to HIIT classes to guided hikes through nature, pool conditioning, and sound baths. Coaching sessions and daily workshops are paired too with rotated curated partner treatments; like the current Nutrafol Scalp Ritual, especially designed for those with thinning hair. The property’s in-house health coach Kat Heiberger also leads a monthly series on her holistic approach to living, during which she imparts wisdom to bring home with you from your time at Mayflower.

Diving Even Deeper Into Wellness

There is far more available at The WELL than one visit will enable you to experience, but one aspect of their programming that is particularly unique is their series of Visiting Masters. The programming is designed to highlight different aspects of well-being by bringing experts and celebrated wellness practitioners to the spa in order to lead healing sessions. Past programs have included workshops with spiritual coach Gabby Bernstein about overcoming fear, manifesting a life beyond your wildest dreams, and achieving freedom and inner peace; and sessions with renowned mind coach Manjit Devgun who led guests through palmistry, sound healing, and hypnosis. This winter, Visiting Masters will include skincare treatments with celebrity facialist Georgia Louise, a restorative weekend with pilates expert Helen Phelan, and nervous system and energetic field restoration with master energy healer and sonic artist Jessica Forsythe.

Other Adventures at Mayflower

In addition to the spa and wellness facilities, there are many other experience-led programming choices to make — all of which prioritize being present and enjoying everything the Mayflower Inn and natural surroundings have to offer. Some of those activities involve adventure (think: fly fishing or horseback riding on nearby trails) or activity courses like archery lessons. Other options available on-site are as relaxing as sipping on a signature cocktail by the outdoor pool or heading to the Parlour to play custom (and very chic!) board games, designed by celebrated luxury accessories brand Edie Parker.

Local Food Done to the Nines

The hallmark restaurant is The Garden Room, which overlooks the beautiful Shakespeare Garden, and whose indoor seating is ensconced within the elegant whimsy of Kemble’s designs.

The dining options at Mayflower Inn & Spa are all committed to connecting with the hotel’s New England home; think elegant rusticity, and menus that feature delicious ingredients from local Connecticut farms. There are numerous places to dine on-site, and Chef Roel Alcudia brings the menus across the entire property to life. The hallmark restaurant is The Garden Room, which overlooks the beautiful Shakespeare Garden, and whose indoor seating is ensconced within the elegant whimsy of Kemble’s designs. With an ingredient-centric à la carte menu, dishes at The Garden Room are often vegetable-focused, and the meals multi-course. An alternative, more casual, dining option, is the tavern-inspired brasserie The Tap Room, featuring more pub-style fare. Not to be forgotten, The Well also has its own world of dining options, including fresh fruit, juices, soups, and salads for before or after treatments. Of course, there are dozens of other ways to dine across the hotel grounds, including fondue by the outdoor bonfires on the porch, or private dining in the mahogany-walled library, or in the comfort of your suite or room.

Who’s it For?

Between the exquisite grounds, the beautiful design, and the truly exceptional spa, the Mayflower Inn & Spa is an ideal destination for many types of guests—with a special atmosphere for those celebrating milestone events like birthdays, anniversaries, or bachelorette parties. As is the case with all Auberge properties, a community-driven atmosphere is at the heart of every aspect of the hotel experience. To add to the sense of occasion, special brand activations welcome different types of guests celebrating different pivotal life moments. At present, the maternity brand HATCH has put together a babymoon package with Mayflower, inviting parents-to-be to get the very most out of their stay in this idyllic slice of New England. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a larger group, opportunities for discovery and relaxation abound at Mayflower Inn & Spa. Take a journey to this idyllic corner of Connecticut and then travel inward to discover what healing practices or moments of reflection will enable you to soak the most out of this restorative retreat.