When a local four-star hotel asks if you’d like to come check out their newest guest house… you scream YES!!! Last weekend, hubby and I enjoyed a romantic getaway at Tall Tales at Saybrook Point Inn in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Let me just gush for awhile about our lovely stay by the sea and take you on a virtual tour.
Our family spends quite a bit of time in Old Saybrook, Connecticut each summer, so it’s an area we know and love well. Old Saybrook is a quaint New England shoreline town. It’s totally a local gem worth checking out if you’re going through Connecticut, or if you’re from the top half of the state and just need a little staycation.
This is a sponsored post.
Come tour the Tall Tales Guest House at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
On Long Island Sound, smack in the middle of the Connecticut Coastline… there’s a point of land dotted with lighthouses. Between a marsh causeway and a delightful mini golf course, you’ll find the cheery yellow Saybrook Point Inn, which also houses Fresh Salt Restaurant, and Sanno, their in-house spa.
During our weekend night stay, we had the privilege of meeting John Lombardo, the dedicated and knowledgeable manager of Saybrook Point Inn and Spa. His soft-spoken manner welcomed us immediately. He took us on a tour of all the properties, tucking in bits of historical and local lore along the way (Did you know, Yale University was originally founded (as Yale College) in the town of Old Saybrook!? That’s why you’ll see Yale memorabilia throughout the hotel!).
We stayed in one of the new Guest Houses across the street from the Inn. A sweetly lovely Italianate-style pink Victorian house: Tall Tales – a Guest House at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa. Inside was a wonder of design and decor, beginning with a bright and airy common room: dining room, sitting area, and a full kitchen for guests to enjoy snacks, meals, or just hanging out.
The second floor houses a billiards room with a chess table – while we didn’t get to enjoy any games, I’d love to go back for a longer stay and relax and shoot some pool with my hubby!
Each of the 6 rooms at Tall Tales is uniquely decorated, and each is exquisite. Our room simply took my breath away when I opened the door: The General William Hart room is simply gorgeous with its calming, beachy decor – the sunny yellows and soothing browns reminded me of the beach – and oh look, there’s the water right out one of our two balconies! The second balcony also had a sliver of a view, plus chairs.
I adore huge bathrooms in a hotel stay, and ours did not disappoint. Plenty of room to walk around and get ready, with a roomy glassed in shower, PLUS a bubble jet bathtub. I need one of those in MY house!
Our room was, in a word: luxurious! And incredibly private. I couldn’t hear a noise from other guests. Seriously, I could’ve just lived in our room for the weekend, reading books and eating chocolates and chatting with hubby. That would’ve been romantic enough for me! But we had so much to DO… come along and see!
Green Living – Green Traveling
Travel can often be a wasteful affair, but Saybrook Point Inn and their guest houses strive for sustainable practices at every turn. From doing away with paper “Do Not Disturb” signs, to automatic dimmers for hallway lighting, to motion-sensor activated room thermostats, I was so pleased to see a hotel making our stay feel as natural as possible while not sacrificing comfort.
They even have a saline pool, creating chlorine from salts incrementally instead of “shocking” the pool (and you) with regular pool chemicals! So much better for your skin, and the environment!
Fresh Salt, the on-site restaurant, also grows fresh herbs in the summer, and uses fresh and seasonal local ingredients in their meals.
Romantic treats to enjoy at Tall Tales – Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
Picturesque> Rippling blue waters, silvery-aged wooden piers, a small white lighthouse these are just some of the visual delights to take in at Saybrook Point. Strolling along the piers or the nearby causeway is certainly a romantic time. But even if you stick around the hotel, you can take in the intricate wooden carvings along the front docks or view historical artifacts inside the hotel.
Lanterns rescued from shipwrecked boats adorn the walls of the pool area. You can even stay by the sea: the Lighthouse Room has been totally renovated and is an exclusive one-room retreat option! How lovely to sleep right on the ocean!
Scrumptious> Treat yourself to fine dining at Fresh Salt restaurant. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner there, and I’m not sure which was the best! There’s a Fire Bar outside where you can sit and have appetizers before dinner.
Our meals had hearty portions and beautiful presentation – my Delmonico steak was superb and hubby cleaned his Seafood Cioppino plate right up! You simply MUST partake of the Brownie Affogato Sundae – crumbly chocolate brown topped with rich ice cream… as if that weren’t enough, douse the whole affair with a shot of fresh-brewed espresso… simply amazing!
I always order French Toast for breakfasts out: the chocolate banana creation I ordered felt like eating dessert all over again (in a word: yum!).
Lunch was a lightly dressed rainbow beet salad with a side of homemade potato chips. A perfect ending to our stay!
Luxurious> Be sure to book a spa treatment at Sanno spa – Robes and slippers are provided along with relaxation rooms with beverages while you wait. I enjoyed a deluxe facial treatment complete with hand and foot massage. My skin felt so hydrated and silky afterwards.
After our romantic getaway to this cozy inn by the sea, returning to normal life took a little adjustment! I would love to return to Tall Tales – it’s the perfect weekender retreat or anniversary spot! But there’s really so much more to Tall Tales and the Saybrook Point Inn than romanticism! We had a blast meeting other Connecticut bloggers on our trip, and they’ve described their stay from various viewpoints:
- Deb from The Front Door Project focuses on the historical beauty of Tall Tales Guest House.
- Bonnie from Home Place Blog shares her gorgeous photography detailing the food and fun!
- Wendy from CT Lifestyles details the many fine food options and other amenities!
Are you due for a romantic getaway? I’m happy to share my lovely Connecticut with you!
Accommodations and amenities were provided by Saybrook Point Inn & Spa in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.
Great post Julie! I was hit by the flu last week and am still recovering – will have my post up soon and will link up to yours!!