Checking-in to: The Mayflower

CHECKING-IN TO | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

As Cabana makes its Connecticut debut, Martina Mondadori checks-in to The Mayflower Inn and Spa, discovering a hidden gem in Litchfield County that offers the perfect synthesis: "a place that feels both 'away from it all', and precisely where you want to be."

BY MARTINA MONDADORI | CABANA TRAVEL | 30 APRIL 2025

It takes quite something to convert me from a stay in the heart of New York to an out-of-town, albeit decidedly more bucolic, location where the hotel is as much a part of the appeal as the surrounding landscape. Perhaps it’s an inherent part of growing up and living in a big city - the energy and bustle of a metropolis will always hold a special place in my heart - but a great family holiday in another Auberge Hotel opened my eyes to an altogether different proposition. With my curiosity piqued, I was impatient to experience all that The Mayflower in Connecticut had to offer.

It is indeed discreet, to the point of retiring. Tucked away from its brashly bustling Manhattan neighbour, its setting is redolent of Old New England Charm. Enveloped in nature, traditional architecture abounds, as does a definite sense of community. It is refined and elegant, cleverly accented with a twist of vibrant contemporary culture. 

The Mayflower - recently reinvented by designer Celerie Kemble - immediately strikes you as wholeheartedly embracing this quirky juxtaposition. Kemble's vision pays homage to the surrounding area, while subtly reinventing the traditional (quintessential) architectural look and feel with an air of playful elegance and eccentricity. This relaxes the space, brings comfort to the rooms and, ultimately, makes you feel at home. Just perfect.

The design is warm, inviting, and ever so slightly old school - each space has been designed not to simply pass through but to linger in and enjoy. Bold mustard yellow walls juxtaposed with striped upholstery, tasseled chairs and antique furnishings are placed with deliberate nonchalance. The parlour, with its sunflower-yellow walls and eclectic art collection, beckons for afternoon tea, while the library offers enviously quiet nooks for penning postcards or thumbing through the array of art books.

My room continues this dialogue between tradition and reinvention. A canopied king bed anchors the spacious chamber, while vibrant textiles and botanical prints enliven the walls. Thoughtful touches extend to the smallest of details - Italian linens, locally sourced bath amenities, and, to my delight, a window seat (overlooking the manicured gardens) that practically demands one curl up with a coffee and a good book. For someone who loves colors, print and strong design, the place is heaven.

Dinner in the Garden Room is perhaps the ultimate treat, an enchanting space that feels plucked from the pages of a bygone world. The walls are adorned with botanical murals creating the perfect backdrop for the plethora of verdant plants cascading from every surface. Chef April Bloomfield's menu celebrates the bounty of surrounding farms — the seasonality and freshness of the local produce reminds me of home. 

It is a masterclass in simplicity, unfussy restrained ingredients at their very best: wild arugula salad with stone fruit and hazelnuts; a Mediterranean-inspired burrata with heirloom tomatoes and marinated artichokes; roasted halibut accompanied by English green peas, which is the perfect nod to spring.

As dusk falls, guests can gather around the fire pits, toasting marshmallows for smores while wrapped in cashmere throws. Alternatively, and perhaps the true jewel of the property, the spa house with its soaring ceiling and abundant natural light creates an instant sense of serenity and promises genuine pampering.

This is a place of simple pleasures but done with such attention to detail: the unforced charm and elegance point to the perfect host and hostess behind the scenes managing every moment, seemingly just for you. The effortless ease of the whole experience makes for the most wonderful stay. And though not travelling with children this time, it is undoubtedly a space that welcomes all with the same generosity of spirit.

After a century of welcoming travellers, the Mayflower has reinvented itself by infusing its heritage with contemporary joie de vivre. In an age when we often seek both escape and connection, this hidden gem in Litchfield County offers the perfect synthesis—a place that feels both 'away from it all', and precisely where you want to be.

It’s impossible to nail down exactly what makes a wonderful stay, but once experienced you just know that its somewhere very special, it’s that je ne sais quoi that imbues every moment of the day, whether you stay a few weeks or just a few nights. The magical little touches, the scent in a room, the ambience when you dine... In my book, the Mayflower offers the perfect retreat.