Waterfront lodging in Connecticut places you close to the sea

Relax and enjoy your lakeside vacation at the Interlaken Inn, nestled on 30 scenic and garden-filled acres between two mountain lakes in the foothills of the Berkshires. Rooms and suites come with a variety of amenities, from private patios to rooftop hot tubs. Morgan’s, the inn’s casual-dining restaurant, features fresh, farm-to-table food. On the property, you can grab a complimentary canoe or kayak and head out to the pristine lake, also great for swimming. There’s an outdoor heated pool, on-site spa services, tennis court, pickle ball courts, fitness room and a game room with a pool table and air hockey. Nearby activities include horseback riding, zip lining, hiking, skiing and snowboarding – and an eclectic assortment of arts venues and museums.

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina is a little bit of paradise for those who love the water. The award-winning bed-and-breakfast inn overlooks beautiful Long Island Sound, and water views out of multiple windows are featured in many of the inn’s 16 uniquely decorated and luxurious suites. The marina has rental boat slips on sheltered Niantic River, making it an ideal location for sport fishermen, pleasure boaters and water sports enthusiasts. Stroll through the seaside village or plunk your chairs and towels down on one of the town’s sandy beaches. Many rooms have fireplaces and large soaking tubs, and all have the relaxing feel of a classic oceanside escape. A homemade breakfast buffet is served each morning.

You cannot get closer to the water in historic downtown Mystic than the Steamboat Inn – unless you are actually on the water. And if you are, you can bring your boat right up to the inn, where dockside is literally right outside the door. Windows in the inn’s 11 luxurious rooms, some of them panoramic, overlook the beautiful Mystic River. One room even has dock entrance directly wharfside – it’s like staying on a yacht. Guests can book a sail aboard the schooner Argia, which sails from Steamboat Wharf daily. They can also walk right outside the door into the heart of a seafaring village with a picturesque drawbridge, great restaurants and shops. Nearby are historic Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium.

From its sweet spot on the shore, where Long Island Sound merges with the Connecticut River, the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina offers guests luxury water-view rooms and suites with private balconies with stunning water vistas. Or choose something truly spectacular: the romantic Lighthouse Suite, with 360-degree water views. Dine on local seafood and other delights at Fresh Salt, or ask for a picnic lunch and take it to nearby Harveys Beach. The resort also includes an on-site spa for head-to-toe pampering, a health club with classes, fitness equipment and access to indoor and outdoor pools, and an award-winning marina. Nearby activities include hiking, fishing, theater and musical performances, kayaking, covered bridges, casinos and winter recreation including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.