What could be more romantic than a getaway for two at an inn overlooking the ocean? Not much! Here are some of our favorite choices along New England’s coast.
With panoramic ocean views overlooking the Atlantic at the outermost point of Cape Cod, the well-named Land’s End Inn in Provincetown feels like a world apart. Its luxurious rooms and suites are lavishly decorated and supremely comfortable; many have decks where you can enjoy the magnificent sunset views (there aren’t many places on the East Coast where you can watch the sunset over the ocean!). The public rooms are filled with antiques and a museum-quality collection of Art Nouveau glassware (think Tiffany lamps on steroids), and guestrooms have distinctive architectural details that include carved pillars, cedar-beamed ceilings, stained glass windows and spiral iron staircases.
Guests gather on the verandah after a day’s sightseeing for complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. Along with its active art and dining scene, Provincetown is a good base for exploring the 40 miles of beach-lined coast protected as the Cape Cod National Seashore. You can’t drive to the park’s massive dunes, but Art’s Dune Tours can take you there for an up-close look and a glimpse into their history and nature.

Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Photo: Stillman Rogers
Another fine mansion has become an inn in Newport, Rhode Island: Cliffside Inn, former home of the eccentric artist Beatrice Turner. Antiques furnish the public areas and guestrooms, all of which have working fireplaces; most have whirlpool tubs. A wraparound porch overlooks the inn’s lovely perennial gardens. Full breakfasts are included, with hot entrees and fresh-baked muffins and breads. An afternoon wine reception is also included. The inn is a short walk from Newport’s famed Cliff Walk and popular Easton’s Beach.
The sleek style and huge airy suites overlooking the ocean at Inn by the Sea give a contemporary twist to the old fashioned Maine coast sun-and-sand vacation. The inn’s exceptional environmental ethic inspired the natural setting — in place of the usual manicured green lawns stretching to the ocean, the inn sits in a natural landscape of native grasses and wildflowers that extend to the long white-sand beach. Full walls of glass and roomy private balconies make this landscape part of the guest experience. Inn by the Sea is in Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland, close enough to pop into town to sample Portland’s world-class dining scene, but the inn’s own Sea Glass Restaurant will tempt you to stay “home” for meals.

Breakfast at Hawthorne Inn. Photo: Stillman Rogers
While any of the luxurious guestrooms at Hawthorn Inn are perfect nests for a Maine coast couples’ getaway, our pick is the first floor of the Carriage House, with its own separate entrance hall and spacious deck overlooking the garden and the swaying Windjammer masts in Camden harbor. Choose the inn’s Cocooning Package for total seclusion: It includes a bottle of wine and a selection of local Ducktrap River smoked sea foods on arrival, complimentary pick-up of a dinner for two from a Camden restaurant, and your hot breakfast delivered to your room in the morning.
For a longer getaway on the Maine shore, Inns Along the Coast can help you plan an itinerary, staying at luxurious inns and B&Bs from Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor. The inns have been chosen for their luxurious rooms and for welcoming resident innkeepers, who can help you find unique experiences while you’re there, such as touring coastal gardens, tastings at breweries and a distillery, and romantic spots for picnics.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedSlideshow
Nov 23, 20236 Pies from Around the World to Try on Family Travels
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these pies from around the world, and maybe you’ll be inspired to take that next trip for a delicious slice.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Travel Tips
Nov 22, 2023New Hilton Report Shows What All Ages Want from Travel
Trying to plan a multigen trip? You may anticipate trouble finding a travel destination, activities and more to appeal to every member of your crew. However, a new report from Hilton found there are certain experiences all travelers want right now, regardless of generation.
Multigenerational
Nov 21, 202310 Resorts & Hotels Around the World with Festive Celebrations 2023, Part 2
With the holiday season upon us, resorts all over the world pull out all the stops to bring the joy of the holidays to family travelers of all ages. Here are five more resorts to check out this holiday season:
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Multigenerational
Nov 17, 2023Perfect Holiday Gifts for Travelers on Etsy
When searching for unique gifts for family travelers, Etsy is a good place to begin. A marketplace of online shops owned by craftspeople and collectors, Etsy is filled with handcrafted works in all mediums, often one-of-a-kind or custom-made. It’s like an open studio, a place to share the latest creations directly to people who appreciate handcrafted things.
ShareThis