"Seas-And" Greeting From Massachusetts

By Laura Wilson Freelance Writer

New England is special during the holidays, for many compelling reasons. The towns are decorated tastefully and traditionally, there is typically snow or, at the very least, cold temps with the promise of snow—all part of the classic Christmas magic.

These towns and hotels are quintessential New England, many are near the coast— naturally, Santa arrives by lobster boat or tugboat. And many of these inns and hotels have rooms with a view—and rooms with a flue (think: fireplaces).

Cape Cod

Santa arrives by boat in Chatham—the Cape’s loveliest village—at the Chatham Fish Pier, thanks to the US Coast Guard stationed down the street. And the annual Christmas Stroll in Chatham features a tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas cookies, caroling, breakfast with Santa, Elf at the historic movie theatre from December 8 to 10. Chatham First Night on New Year’s Eve has also become a New England favorite, with ice sculptures, dancing, music, fireworks and more.

Where to Stay

Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, Cape Cod’s Forbes Double Five-Star Resort, will celebrate its first-ever holiday and winter season (the resort has been seasonal until this year.) Wequassett debuts a winter wonderland, with an ice skating rink, 120 decorated Christmas trees, garlands of string lights throughout the 27-acre property and Mrs. Claus’s Cottage—celebrating the women of the moment. Guests can take wreath and ornament making classes, cookie decorating classes with Mrs. Claus, get “elf care” spa treatment rubs and holiday wraps, too. Also, themed holiday dinners at the resort’s Twenty Eight Atlantic, the first and only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the region.

Captain Farris House Gourmet breakfast is served at this lovely bed and breakfast in South Yarmouth. The inn is welcoming and unpretentious, the afternoon cookies are addictive and the guest rooms are elegant, some with gas fireplaces, too. Afternoon tea is available year-round but extra special during the holidays. Nice: The 18th Annual Holiday Cookie Stroll in South Yarmouth takes place Dec. 9.

Chatham Wayside Inn

Located in the middle of town, this is a lovely inn to stay during Chatham Stroll or First Night Chatham, or all month. The decorated shops are conveniently right out the door—hit the Candy Manor for fudge and homemade chocolates. Bonus: Christmas Eve dinner is served at the inn in the Wild Goose Tavern.

The Platinum Pebble in charming Harwich is a quick sleigh ride to Chatham, and also perfect for Harwich Stroll and Dickens of a Christmas A Christmas Carol event—a live, interactive strolling experience of the classic story by Charles Dickens; scenes come alive along Main Street ending at Brooks Park. The inn’s gas fireplaces in guest rooms and gourmet breakfast complement the merriness.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This historic inn is cozy, charming and interesting and the comp breakfast is a great way to kick off a day of exploring this fascinating part of the Cape.

Gloucester

This seaside town is the oldest fishing port in the country—the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial is a tug-atthe-heart reminder.

It’s no wonder that Santa arrives by boat, and visitors can take a harbor cruise with Beauport Cruiselines on December 10th—with elves, carols, cocoa, cookies and Santa. Also, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” which celebrates its 200th year this season.

Santa also arrives by boat in nearby Rockport—about four miles away—and home to Motif #1, a former fishing shack that’s the most often painted building in America.

Where to Stay

The Beauport Hotel Gloucester is a great catch in this fishing town— some guest rooms have oceanfront balconies, and a Home for the Holidays package includes treats like a hot chocolate kit and breakfast. A seaside Christmas dinner will also be served. Joy: The hotel participates in The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund—guests can donate an unwrapped toy.

Boston

Perhaps one of the most European-like cities in the U.S., Boston romanticizes the holiday season with little effort. It’s a looker—neighborhoods like Beacon Hill with its cobblestoned streets and handsome townhouses shout Christmas from every doorway wreath.

The lighted tree at Boston

Common is Christmas comfort (this year the tree comes from Nova Scotia), and this year also marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, on Dec. 16.

Ice-skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond, enjoying a performance of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker or shopping on Newbury Street are also forever favorites.

And there are new traditions in this historic town, including the dazzling Seaport District’s annual Snowport, which kicked off early in November and runs through December 31. The Seaport’s annual Holiday Market is reminiscent of a European open-air market—a Tree Market, outdoor iceless curling, an annual holiday tree lighting, the annual Menorah Lighting (December 10th) and Betty the Yeti are some of the festivities.

Where to Stay

Mandarin Oriental

Book one of the Decorated Suites at this prestigious fivestar Back Bay hotel and you’ll get a personal holiday-decorated tree in gold and jewel tones, champagne and chocolate truffles, milk and cookies and more. Also the hotel is the only luxury hotel in Boston with fully-equipped kitchenettes, and separate living and dining areas, so home for the holidays rings true here.

The hotel is also featuring a pop-up Holiday Cocktail and Whisky Bar from Nantucket’s Triple Eight Distillery, creators of the award-winning American single malt whisky, The Notch. And a fireplace lounge with live holiday jazz.

The Envoy Eskimo kisses at the Seaport’s favorite hotel rooftop gives winter love in the cozy igloos with spirited seasonal cocktails and bites. And the Envoy’s guestrooms are windows on the winter wonderland that the Seaport becomes each year.

Ritz-Carlton Boston

Stay here for a taste of old school holiday season with elegant rooms and classy service. And The Ritz’s Avery Bar Chocolat offers “perfectly nice” or “sinfully naughty” hot chocolate. Order cocoa table-side and choose from toppings like house-made vanilla bean marshmallows and caramel whipped cream, along with candy cane shortbread cookies and double fudge brownies. Adults can spike their cocoa.

The Liberty Hotel’s whimsical signature upside-down Christmas tree holiday installation is up—or down—and the sight is arresting. The celebrated installation features seven inverted Christmas trees, decorated by Boston florist and event designer Cityscapes, and suspended from the hotel lobby’s 90-foot rotunda. Each nine-foot tall tree is dolled up with lights, ornaments, and a glimmer of acrylic paint for extra shine.

Encore Boston Harbor

It’s a good bet you’ll find a winter forest wonderland of dozens of Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, poinsettias and décor in this casino resort—in fact, 4,000 poinsettias throughout the Garden Lobby, 29 holiday trees installed throughout the resort (including two 12-foot trees overlooking the casino floor, 17 ninefoot trees, and 10 seven-foot trees), ornaments, snowflakes, lights, and dozens of six-foot tall wreaths. The rooms are eye-candy and the restaurant, Rare Steakhouse, is the prize for a special seasonal meal.

Hotel Commonwealth is where Baseball lovers imagine snowballs are baseballs all winter while waiting it out until the spring. The Official Hotel of the Boston Red Sox features the Fenway Park Suite, only 507 ft from Fenway Park and in full view of the stadium, with a walk-out balcony and Red Sox collectibles.

Westin Copley Place

This lively Back Bay hotel offers cooking classes yearround led by Le Cordon Bleutrained Chef Roy Kaler. For for the holidays, themed classes are offered (guests and locals) including a Holiday Breads class on December 16.

The Langham commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, hosting a ‘Family Tea Party’ with a Paddington hot chocolate experience, a specially curated dessert box and tickets to the Boston Tea Party Museum, a ten-minute stroll away. The hotel also has a sweet Sugar Plum Fairy suite including VIP experience of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

The luxury InterContinental Boston has incredible views of the Boston Tea Party Museum from its handsome guestrooms—a festive spot to celebrate the cheer of the occasion and the holiday season.

The Newbury Boston is located on Boston’s most celebrated shopping street, Newbury Street, and is offering a Shopping Escape package, including a gift from Tiffany & Company, located just off the main lobby. Book a fireplace suite with the fireplace butler. Bonus: Contessa restaurant is a rooftop jewel for a holiday meal.

Royal Sonesta Boston Located on the Charles River this hotel sweetens the pot with lovely water views from spacious suites. Take a holiday winter stroll or run along the Charles, and the indoor pool is a family fave.

Kimpton Marlowe Hotel Rudolph would be more than welcome at this extremely pet friendly hotel in Cambridge. There are a couple of festive packages, including the Miracle at Kimpton Marlowe—accommodations, two cocktails in Marlowe’s pop-up Christmas-themed cocktail bar, $50.00 dining credit for dinner for two in Bambara.

Freepoint Hotel Cambridge is a laid-back hotel with a lively lounge (think: pool table) with a secret garden with fireplace. Because it’s a bit outside of town, it’s an affordable spot to stay to enjoy Boston’s festivities, and a complimentary self-parking package for holidays.

The Charles Hotel Charles Dickens would love the Harvard Square hotel that shares his name (as does the Charles River, of course.) The hotel goes all out with a lighted tree and winter wonderland in the courtyard. And Boston’s first Hanukkah Pop Up bar, Maccabee Bar, is back for its fifth year—sips include Latke Sour (Apple Brandy, Potato, Lemon, Havana & Hyde Bitters); latkes and jelly donuts, too.

Suites are smart, with minimalist Shaker furniture and leather. Henrietta’s Table is one of Harvard Squares most popular restaurants and catch jazz at the hotel’s Regattabar. Also, the hotel’s outdoor holiday fair is Dec. 10 and 17.

Seaport Hotel This hotel is the soul of the Seaport District and revolutionized Seaport before the district became what it is today, setting the hospitality bar high. The holiday market at Snowport is just blocks away and the winter sunrise water views from the guestrooms are Mother Nature’s holiday gift.

Hampton Inn Boston Seaport District and Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport District Complimentary breakfast, harbor views, this hotel duo has a great location near the Seaport District’s Snowport this season. Both are Hilton properties, and are more affordable than some of the other Seaport hotels, and have indoor pools.

The Revere Hotel- The hotel’s lobby shouts Christmas trees with ornaments, themed throw pillows, string lights, garland and good welcoming cheer. And through December, Festive Fridays will feature a whimsical holiday activity each week.