Connecticut is the one New England state that I haven’t ventured to for an extended stay. And BOY was I missing something. My mom and I spent a few days in West Hartford and it was a dream. Shops, spas, and historic homes as far as the eye can see.
Where to Stay
The Delamar West Hartford invited me to the area to experience their Holiday Shopping and Spa Getaway package and let me tell you, I would move in there if I could. The hotel is gorgeously appointed in an upscale, contemporary style. You’re spoiled from the first moment with valet parking, super nice bell boys with luggage carts at the ready, and complimentary champagne with check-in.
All the rooms are spacious and sophisticated with fully stocked mini bars, Bulgari amenities, and comfortable beds. Each bed has a fur blanket that was probably my favorite item in the hotel. I contemplated styling it as a dress and wearing it out, it was that cozy. I toured a few of the suites and some of the come with full living rooms and dreamy soaking tubs.
On top of all this, the Delamar has a partnership with the nearby New Britain Museum. Not only do guests at the hotel get free admission, the museum curates exhibitions from their own collection to be displayed at the hotel. So you can see world class art without even leaving the property! If you do choose to visit the New Britain one of the valet workers can drive you there in a very fancy Tesla. in fact, they’ll take you anywhere within 5 miles.
On a ladies trip there’s no negotiating when it comes to spa time. Luckily the Delamar has a world class spa on site. Now, I’m usually not one for the spa. I’m a super tense person who doesn’t like to be touched so massages don’t do much for me. But this was an out-of-this-world experience. My mom got a 60-minute facial and I got a manicure which, no lie, lasted over an hour what with all the arm massages and special skin treatments.
We both came out completely relaxed. Did I mention there was more champagne in the spa’s relaxation room? I swear they offered us champagne in every room of the hotel, it was bliss. The relaxation room also had Tea Forte (my favorite!). I could go on eternally about this hotel, it’s one of my favorites of 2018. But the long and the short of it is that you’ll feel like you’re in Crazy Rich Asians without paying the private jet price.
What to Do
I may have mentioned (one million times) that I love historic homes. Well West Hartford boasts many, including Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s homes. We only had time to visit one and it was a very tough choice. We ended up going to Hill-Stead, a home designed by one of the first female architects in the U.S.
Let me tell you, Theodate Pope Riddle was a boss. She decided the whole married with kids thing wasn’t for her. Mind you, this was in 1901 when people thought marriage was the only thing women were good for. She had several suitors who pursued her for 30 years and she was like whatever I have better things to do. Finally when she was 50 she was like ugh fine I’ll marry you and got hitched to one of them. Basically she was the coolest.
So was the family home she built. You can tell it was designed by a woman because it has a wonderful flow to it, not like the dark, small rooms you usually see in early 20th century homes.The family also had a killer art collection, like Monets and Degas just hanging around everywhere. That Monet in the first picture of the post is real as are all the incredible art treasures in the house. I can’t recommend this excursion enough if you’re in the Hartford area.
If you’re still looking for more pampering (and who can blame you) try a blow out at the Blo Dry salon, just a block down the street from the Delamar. The Delamar is situated in Blue Back Square, a shopping, dining, and living complex of superior quality. At Blo Dry they do washes, blowouts, and styling, no cuts. It’s great for events or when you want a little pick-me-up. They have a partnership with the Delamar so you can also get your blowout at the hotel salon or even in your room if you’d like. Nothing makes a girl feel good like a glass of champagne and a new hairdo! Everyone in the salon was delightful and my stylist gave me a perfect, wavy look.
The complex also includes a Muse Paintbar where you can get your artist on, glass of wine in hand. What I love about Muse is that they don’t just have canvas paintings but wooden signs and other decorative pieces. After all, all artists work in different mediums! In addition to Muse and Blo Dry, the complex has a ton of shops including locally owned Ooh La La Boutique which has a lot of cute clothing geared towards travelers.
Where to Eat
Don’t worry, Blue Back’s got you covered on this front too. There are a bunch of great restaurants within a few blocks of the Delamar, we barely had to drive anywhere our whole stay. We started our trip off with lunch at Rizzuto’s, a cozy Italian spot serving up the same comfort food and cocktails I expect you’d find in heaven.
For example, this burrata caprese which combines the soft slice of perfection that is burrata with the sweet balsamic sauce and fresh tomatoes. We also had mussels in a savory white wine sauce and an arugula and goat cheese salad to top off the meal. This is a great spot for lunch, dinner, or evening cocktails (or to be honest, all three). The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, the space is stunning, and the food truly warms the heart.
Our first dinner in West Hartford was at The Cook & The Bear, a joint self-described as a “chef inspired BBQ” spot. We ate there two weeks ago and I’m still full. It was an incredible experience. The cuisine blends the best comfort food flavors of classic barbecue with innovative fine-dining twists. They make everything in house from the sauces and the pickles to the meats which are smoked in the kitchen starting sometimes at 5am.
It’s clear that everyone in this restaurant loves what they do. There was joy and pride radiating from every corner of this place. From the craft cocktails (one of which was named after The Office, already a sign of quality) to the stacks of firewood which serve as decor and fuel, culinary craftsmanship is the name of the game at The Cook and the Bear.
I know you’re thinking how could we possibly have eaten more. But we managed to squeeze in one more amazing meal at Artisan, the restaurant in the Delamar. Even though it’s housed in the same space, the restaurant is actually operated by a separate owner. First of all, it’s a spectacular space. From hand painted murals to wood walls inspired by Connecticut’s tobacco trade, every detail was carefully considered.
The food was also exquisite. It operates on a seasonal menu and when I say seasonal I mean the chef has a garden outside and he will walk out of the kitchen and into the garden to cut herbs and pull veggies for his dishes. They are NOT messing around. Above is the baked vegan tian, we also had a maple foie gras that was to die for and an excellent rabbit pappardelle. Don’t write this off as just another hotel restaurant, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that stands apart from, but perfectly compliments a stay at the Delamar.
I can’t recommend a visit to West Hartford and the Delamar enough. It’s a great winter getaway because everything is pretty close so there’s minimal transport and there are a million (warm, indoor) things to do. I’m already planning my trip back!
Please note: I was provided with complimentary goods and/or services from the above businesses. That said, all of the opinions expressed are my own.