Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

In Its 100^th Year, Connecticut's Quintessential Country Inn Debuts a Sweeping Transformation, New Chef in Residence Program and Inspired Guest Experiences.

Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, the exquisite country retreat set on 58 private acres in Washington, CT, today debuts a dynamic transformation, ushering in a new era for the iconic New England landmark in its centennial year. Celebrated New York-based designer Celerie Kemble, acclaimed for her blend of nuanced whimsy and pitch-perfect taste, orchestrated the redesign, which encompasses guest rooms and suites and the entirety of the Inn's historic main house, including the Mayflower's new fine dining restaurant, The Garden Room, as well as the beloved Tap Room and Parlor.

A Modern Country Home

The reimagined Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection offers guests a modern experience while honoring the property's New England heritage. Drawing inspiration from storied English and Scandinavian country houses, Kemble revived Mayflower's historic interiors with a palette of florals, complex patterns and color, Gustavian antiques and contemporary art.

While keeping timeless pieces such as Mayflower's signature four-poster beds, the rooms have been transformed with custom furnishings, sisal carpets, Turkish rugs, hand-crafted ceramics and whimsical wicker. Colorful textiles from Schumacher, Sister Parish, and Penny Morrison reflect a modern sense of comfortable country life. Giving each guest room its own persona, Kemble

traded damasks, crystal lamps and French influences for eclectic furnishings and artful layering. Kemble is famous for creating character filled interiors around the globe. She has amassed more than 25 years of experience designing private homes and restoring architectural treasures.

Friends of Mayflower Series

To complement the redesign, the property has launched a new curated program called "Friends of the Mayflower," which brings together the brightest creatives to provide one-of-a-kind, enriching guest experience. The series of ongoing residencies features guest chefs, local artist collaborations, intimate fashion partnerships, events, and more. This fall, acclaimed Chef April Bloomfield joins the property as the second artist in the creative series. As chef-in-residence, the James Beard award-winning chef will oversee all dining outlets at the Inn through the end of 2020, including the Garden Room and the hotel's beloved local restaurant, The Tap Room, harking back to her British roots serving hearty, reimagined pub-style fare in a tavern-like setting.

The Garden Room

Chef Bloomfield begins her residency in conjunction with the unveiling of The Garden Room, a stunning new upscale restaurant designed by Celerie Kemble. The Garden Room menu celebrates elegant rusticity, featuring the finest ingredients from local Connecticut farms, while the design draws inspiration from the natural world with a large-scale floral mural and vibrant greenery throughout. This fall, the highlight of the Garden Room is Bloomfield's four-course Garden Supper tasting menu, offered Thursday through Saturday evenings.

The Huntress Boutique

Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection also debuts the Huntress, an expertly curated home furnishings and lifestyle boutique, offering a new retail experience for guests to enjoy while on property. Owned by New York-based interior designer Jenny Wolf, The Huntress is rich with whimsical, quirky sophistication and classical nostalgia. The acclaimed designer's lifestyle boutique helms antiques, vintage treasures, unique fashion and unusual jewelry. Guests can also find a carefully curated selection of local luxury beauty and wellness products in-room.

Unforgettable Guest Experiences

Just in time for autumn days and illuminated nights, Auberge Resorts Collection is bringing Mayflower's expansive formal gardens and grounds alive with new, immersive guest experiences and soulful journeys inspired by modern-day country life in New England. From beginning one's day with a relaxing outdoor yoga session held in the resort's picturesque Shakespeare Garden, to enjoying a bespoke craft cocktail-making class, or roasting chestnuts and s'mores over the Inn's new fire pits, the Inn offers guests endless ways to reconnect and indulge in life's simple pleasures in Litchfield Hills.

For those craving literary inspiration, the Inn has forged an exclusive partnership with local rare book purveyor, Johnnycake Books located nearby in Salisbury, CT. Owner Dan Dwyer has cleverly sourced a precious collection of both new and vintage books encompassing design, entertaining, gardening and other notable quirky genres. Guests are invited to enjoy this special selection of books in the Parlor and can also purchase favorites through reception.

Canoes and rowboats also await on the Mayflower pond, which can be followed by an artisanal picnic on the lawn. Binoculars and booklets on birds in the area are also available for those looking for a peaceful activity, while younger guests seeking educational experiences can plant flowers inspired by Shakespeare's historical literature in the lush garden.

Enchanting New Events Pavilion

In addition to unveiling reinvigorated interiors, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection debuts a striking, handcrafted Sperry Tent - the ultimate outdoor venue for the most unforgettable occasions, from intimate gatherings, larger celebrations to elopements. Nestled on Mayflower's immaculately landscaped gardens and green woodlands, the 3,500-square-foot tent will accommodate 150 guests seated and up to 300 standing. Handcrafted out of genuine sailcloth that breathes during the day and glows at night, Mayflower's Sperry Tent will welcome guests to make their next occasion a truly memorable one.

Hotel website