Pros

  • Tranquil, historic waterside setting with its own marina
  • 10-minute drive to the nearest swimmable beach
  • Beautifully decorated rooms, some with fireplaces and harbor views
  • Stand-alone houses and cottages are available for long-term rentals
  • Notable upscale restaurant with Italian-inspired seafood
  • Indoor and outdoor heated pools
  • Posh spa with 11 treatment rooms
  • Large fitness center with cardio and weight equipment
  • Special beds and treats for pets
  • Extensive wedding and special event space
  • Free outdoor parking and Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Weddings can overwhelm the hotel and make things noisy
  • Pools and hot tub can get crowded
  • No evening activities or local nightlife (a pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Nestled in a tranquil marina overlooking the Connecticut River estuary, the upscale Saybrook Point Inn & Spa offers a good mix of amenities. A total of 96 charming rooms are divided between the main building and two graciously restored guest houses just down the street. There's also a Lighthouse Suite plus longer term vacation rentals available. The property is home to a popular seafood restaurant, a fitness club with indoor and outdoor pools, and an elegant spa. However, the hot tub and pools can get crowded as the club is open to the public, and the volume of weddings here can overwhelm the hotel. Perks include free parking and Wi-Fi. It's worth considering Madison Beach Hotel, a smaller boutique property with a beach, though rates are higher.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa

Scene

Upscale waterfront inn with New England charm and a destination restaurant

When it comes to New England charm, there are plenty of ways that plenty of hotels go wrong, but the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is a lovely exception to this tendency. Almost every aspect of the hotel is lovely and charming. The pet-friendly property is surrounded by winding brick walkways, lush gardens, and terraces with outdoor tables that overlook a private marina. Inside, an autumnal color scheme of orange, gray, and cream is accented by veined marble floors, woven rugs, and brass chandeliers. A bit of classic ambience is added by wingback chairs that surround a massive wood fireplace, and a glass-paneled curio cabinets displaying china and objets d’art. Soaring skylit ceilings top the multi-roomed restaurant, which features a bar with stunning water views and a main dining area dominated by a rustic, boulder-stone fireplace. The hotel is a prime wedding destination, and when parties are in-house the hotel can feel overwhelmed and lively, which may not be every tourist's cup of tea. Otherwise, the hotel draws guests from across the spectrum, including friends on weekend getaways, families, and couples.

See More Scene

Location

At the mouth of the Connecticut River, with panoramic views of the estuary

The Saybrook Point inn is about 10 minutes from I-95 in Old Saybrook, a historic town in eastern Connecticut. The town is dotted with antique shops, theaters, and cafes, though the "main" area of town is not within walking distance (it's a five-minute drive), and the immediate area is residential. It's a 10-minute drive to Harvey's Beach for those looking to swim in the Long Island Sound. The inn is 35 minutes from New Haven as well as the quaint tourist town of Mystic, which is home to an aquarium and plenty of cute boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Expect a 90-minute drive to New York City, and about two-and-a-half hours to Boston. Bradley International Airport -- in Hartford -- is about an hour away by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Cozy main-house rooms and gorgeous guest-house suites

The main house's 82 rooms range from smaller Standard Rooms to Suites, some with fireplaces, jetted tubs, and balconies with marina views. Decor goes big on cozy and quaint, and includes wrought-iron beds, crisp white linens, and handsome wood floors. Expect to see plenty of soft tans and white tones alongside dark wood accents and antique pieces that bring the whole look together. Subtle patterns appear in wallpaper and textiles, but they are kept tasteful rather than over-the-top. Some rooms in the Main Inn have small furnished balconies. Bathrooms in rooms in the main house are large and lovely, with white marble counters, separate makeup mirrors, and rainfall shower heads. 

Two historic Italianate guesthouses hold a total of 14 individually designed rooms, each named for a local celebrity. The Katharine Hepburn Room features a carved wood four-poster bed, a large fireplace, and crimson-upholstered furniture, while the Mary Tagliatela room has two queen beds, rich wood floors, and furnishings in deep orange and cream. Those staying in the Three Stories house have access to a roof deck, and many rooms have a furnished patio area. There's also a stand-alone Lighthouse Suite that looks like a lighthouse and sits directly on the water; it includes a kitchenette and living rooms. The hotel has houses and longer term vacation rentals available -- these include additions like kitchens. Spacious bathrooms feature black-and-white penny-tile floors, and while all have glass-enclosed showers, some have separate showers and bathtubs or extras like heated floors.

See More Rooms

Features

Posh spa, busy health club with indoor and outdoor pools, restaurant, and marina

As one of the largest hotels in town, there are a number of features on-site, many of which are geared to guests who aren't staying at the hotel. This makes for a lively, social vibe, though it all may strike some guests as busy rather than relaxing, especially when weddings are added to the mix. The large restaurant has an updated nautical vibe and a menu that focuses on seafood. It's popular with hotel guests and local alike, and the sophisticated dining room has views out to the marina. There's also a spa with cozy fireplaces and 11 treatment rooms offering a full range of services. Salon services are available as well. The fitness center is equipped with a steam room, a sauna, and two heated pools, including an indoor pool and a freeform outdoor pool with sundecks overlooking the water. As the fitness center is actually a health club that's open to the general public for memberships, the pool and hot tub can get crowded. A waterfront ballroom and a variety of function spaces are available for weddings, social events, and meetings. The privately owned marina can accommodate vessels of up to 230 feet with 24/7 staff and a floating gas dock. Parking and Wi-Fi are free and the hotel has a pet-friendly policy, with special treats and beds available.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa

Scene

Upscale waterfront inn with New England charm and a destination restaurant

When it comes to New England charm, there are plenty of ways that plenty of hotels go wrong, but the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is a lovely exception to this tendency. Almost every aspect of the hotel is lovely and charming. The pet-friendly property is surrounded by winding brick walkways, lush gardens, and terraces with outdoor tables that overlook a private marina. Inside, an autumnal color scheme of orange, gray, and cream is accented by veined marble floors, woven rugs, and brass chandeliers. A bit of classic ambience is added by wingback chairs that surround a massive wood fireplace, and a glass-paneled curio cabinets displaying china and objets d’art. Soaring skylit ceilings top the multi-roomed restaurant, which features a bar with stunning water views and a main dining area dominated by a rustic, boulder-stone fireplace. The hotel is a prime wedding destination, and when parties are in-house the hotel can feel overwhelmed and lively, which may not be every tourist's cup of tea. Otherwise, the hotel draws guests from across the spectrum, including friends on weekend getaways, families, and couples.

See More Scene

Location

At the mouth of the Connecticut River, with panoramic views of the estuary

The Saybrook Point inn is about 10 minutes from I-95 in Old Saybrook, a historic town in eastern Connecticut. The town is dotted with antique shops, theaters, and cafes, though the "main" area of town is not within walking distance (it's a five-minute drive), and the immediate area is residential. It's a 10-minute drive to Harvey's Beach for those looking to swim in the Long Island Sound. The inn is 35 minutes from New Haven as well as the quaint tourist town of Mystic, which is home to an aquarium and plenty of cute boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Expect a 90-minute drive to New York City, and about two-and-a-half hours to Boston. Bradley International Airport -- in Hartford -- is about an hour away by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Cozy main-house rooms and gorgeous guest-house suites

The main house's 82 rooms range from smaller Standard Rooms to Suites, some with fireplaces, jetted tubs, and balconies with marina views. Decor goes big on cozy and quaint, and includes wrought-iron beds, crisp white linens, and handsome wood floors. Expect to see plenty of soft tans and white tones alongside dark wood accents and antique pieces that bring the whole look together. Subtle patterns appear in wallpaper and textiles, but they are kept tasteful rather than over-the-top. Some rooms in the Main Inn have small furnished balconies. Bathrooms in rooms in the main house are large and lovely, with white marble counters, separate makeup mirrors, and rainfall shower heads. 

Two historic Italianate guesthouses hold a total of 14 individually designed rooms, each named for a local celebrity. The Katharine Hepburn Room features a carved wood four-poster bed, a large fireplace, and crimson-upholstered furniture, while the Mary Tagliatela room has two queen beds, rich wood floors, and furnishings in deep orange and cream. Those staying in the Three Stories house have access to a roof deck, and many rooms have a furnished patio area. There's also a stand-alone Lighthouse Suite that looks like a lighthouse and sits directly on the water; it includes a kitchenette and living rooms. The hotel has houses and longer term vacation rentals available -- these include additions like kitchens. Spacious bathrooms feature black-and-white penny-tile floors, and while all have glass-enclosed showers, some have separate showers and bathtubs or extras like heated floors.

See More Rooms

Features

Posh spa, busy health club with indoor and outdoor pools, restaurant, and marina

As one of the largest hotels in town, there are a number of features on-site, many of which are geared to guests who aren't staying at the hotel. This makes for a lively, social vibe, though it all may strike some guests as busy rather than relaxing, especially when weddings are added to the mix. The large restaurant has an updated nautical vibe and a menu that focuses on seafood. It's popular with hotel guests and local alike, and the sophisticated dining room has views out to the marina. There's also a spa with cozy fireplaces and 11 treatment rooms offering a full range of services. Salon services are available as well. The fitness center is equipped with a steam room, a sauna, and two heated pools, including an indoor pool and a freeform outdoor pool with sundecks overlooking the water. As the fitness center is actually a health club that's open to the general public for memberships, the pool and hot tub can get crowded. A waterfront ballroom and a variety of function spaces are available for weddings, social events, and meetings. The privately owned marina can accommodate vessels of up to 230 feet with 24/7 staff and a floating gas dock. Parking and Wi-Fi are free and the hotel has a pet-friendly policy, with special treats and beds available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.