Whether you’re looking for a last-minute winter escape or some fresh seasonal inspiration, these designer-decked destinations from the Auberge Resorts Collection have all the makings for a haute holiday weekend.
At The Vanderbilt in Newport, Rhode Island, famed party planner and event designer Bronson van Wyck brings his signature flair to the storied mansion-turned hotel. As the maestro of merriment, he’s decked the halls with Brunschwig & Fils and trimmed the tree with ornaments from the nauti list, a nod to Newport’s maritime past.
White Barn Inn’s Kennebunk, Maine setting is straight out of a storybook, right down to the Christmas tree in the village center. As a bookend to its busier summer season, there are plenty of December events worth exploring, whether you’re strolling Dock Square or hoping to spy Santa’s arrival on a lobster boat. A stay at the historic hotel is extra special this year, courtesy of Nathan Turner, who arrived from the West Coast to transform the 150-year-old site. Armed with custom linens and Scandinavian accents, Turner infused his classic Americana style into the common spaces, drawing on his expertise with antiques to preserve the inn’s rustic elegance while elevating its timeless charm.
And in picture-perfect Washington, Connecticut, Mayflower Inn & Spa is dressed in grand garlands and pops of pomegranate, thanks to Markarian designer Alexandra O’Neill. Known for her New York womenswear label, O’Neill turned her attention to the Litchfield hideaway, draping velvet bows over the entrance and finishing the tree with floral ikat ornaments, for a romantic take on holiday style.
Reservations to dine at all three spots are a must, with special culinary experiences and private dinners to round out your visit. Tuck into a cozy corner at Mayflower’s Tap Room, gain access to Vanderbilt’s Hidden Bar or take in a snowy scene from the picture window at White Barn Inn’s famed restaurant setting. No matter which destination you choose, these designer-inspired escapes promise to add some fabulous and festive sparkle to your holiday season.