The Inn at Castle Hill: An Ipswich Gem

Posted by Kristina Smith, guest blogger of North of Boston Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Ipswich, Massachusetts is, at heart, a small town.
While the entire island of Manhattan could fit within its borders (and there would still be room for 5 Crane Beaches), Ipswich’s close-knit sense of community, warmth, and history, along with its natural beauty and elegance, make it the cozy quintessential New England town to escape to. And the perfect hideaway for this Yankee retreat is the Inn at Castle Hill.

Photo: Fireplace at the Inn at Castle Hill by Michael Lee

Originally built as a farmhouse in the mid-19^th century, the Inn served as a summer home for Richard T. Crane Jr. and his family while their grand estate (today known as Castle Hill on the Crane Estate) was being constructed in the 1910s. This adorable cottage underwent an expansion in 1899 that included a road system (to navigate the steep Castle Hill) and luscious garden. After the “Great House” had been completed, the cottage was used for a guesthouse occupied by visiting family.
Today, the Inn is tastefully maintained by the Trustees of the Reservations, and invites guests to “step into a timeless place of understated elegance and serenity.” Each of its 10 rooms is chicly decorated and furnished to reflect coastal sophistication, and, perhaps most importantly, calmness and relaxation.
The rooms feature incredible views of Ipswich’s scenic woodlands, marsh, and ocean, as well as private baths, original artwork by local artists, wireless internet access, central air and heating, and many more luxurious amenities. Included in your stay is a full (and delicious!) breakfast, complimentary admission to Crane Beach (located only a few short minutes from the Inn), and iPads available for guest use. Also available are on-site massages, cocktails, fine wines, and scrumptious bag lunches.

Photo: The Tatiana Room at the Inn at Castle Hill by Michael Lee

If you’re looking to make the most out of your stay at the Inn at Castle Hill, definitely check out one of their many special offers and stay packages. You can get in the holiday spirit this December with their “Get in the Spirit” package, which comes complete with two tickets to the “Greening of the Great House” holiday event and an afternoon of delicious fun an Appleton Farms “Appleton Cooks!” cooking class.
Or, for the foodie guest, the Inn’s “Dining” package adds a three-course meal for two (with wine) at Ithaki, a wonderful local restaurant. After your romantic meal, enjoy a fireside evening at the Inn with a bottle of wine and artisan cheese.
During your stay at the Inn, make time to hop on over to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, a 1920s-era seaside estate featuring breath-taking landscaped grounds, and Crane Beach, one of the premier beaches on the North Shore. Also nearby is the aforementioned Appleton Farms, the oldest continuously operating farm in the country, where visitors can find delicious cheeses made on-site, miles of scenic trails, and numerous activities and events for the entire family.

Photo: The Grand Allée at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate

For more information on the Inn at Castle Hill, visit http://www.thetrustees.org/the-inn-at-castle-hill/ or call (978) 412-2555.
Kristina Smith is the Communications Coordinator at the North of Boston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. To get in touch with her, send her an email at [email protected].

TOPICS: Inn at Castle Hill