A few weeks ago I spent a couple glorious days in the Ipswich/Rowley area at the Briar Barn Inn. Just an hour from Boston and easily accessibly on the Commuter Rail, the Briar Barn provides a quiet, luxurious escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. It’s conveniently located between Newburyport and Ipswich so you can explore both areas with ease.
There are four buildings on the property, an administrative facility for the staff, the Inn itself with the guest rooms, Grove restaurant, and a spa. Having everything conveniently on hand means you can come for a weekend getaway and never have to leave the grounds. They’ve recently begun marketing the idea of a “work getaway” which I think is genius. If you’re run down by working from home or you have a big deadline coming up, you can book a room for a change of scenery, a little pampering, and some focused work time. What I wouldn’t give for 48 hours of quiet headspace!
Briar Barn Inn has the look of a historic property, but it’s actually quite new. One section of the Grove restaurant remains from the original property, which was a single family home. You would never know it now, the home has been seamlessly incorporated into the new restaurant design, inspired by the traditional New England barn. The Inn itself is a blend of the comforts of a small facility and the amenities of a luxury property.
My room (and I believe most if not all rooms at the Inn) had a gas fireplace and a sitting area perfect for cozy, cool evenings. Turning it on in the morning while I had my coffee felt extra luxurious. The space was also enormous, something I’m not used to after a decade of city living. The room had a wet bar area and a full dining table with chairs, the sitting area next to the fire, and a separate bedroom area. Then, of course, the bathroom.
I rarely take baths at home so it’s a delight every time I find a soaking tub while traveling. The bathrooms at Briar Barn Inn are spacious and contemporary, featuring a deep soaking tub and a shower. Having so much space allowed me to sprawl out and get comfortable, which can make a huge difference in how relaxing your stay is.
I ate brunch and dinner at the Grove Restaurant and they were DIVINE. Hotel restaurant get a bad rap, but this is truly a spectacular chef driven spot. It was clear that locals came for both brunch and dinner and that this was a popular spot in the neighboring communities. That’s always a sign that it’s a great restaurant!
The Bloody Mary flight is a crowd favorite for brunch at Grove restaurant. It features four Bloody Mary styles:
O.G. MARY
A traditional Bloody with Tito’s,
crisp bacon, citrus, and an olive
BLOODY MARIA
Silver tequila, house-pickled
jalapenos, and a half-salted rim
BARELY MARY
Fresh lime, True North Cerveza
draught, and a lime wedge
PICKLED MARY
House pickle juice, bourbon,
garnished with a cornichon
A frittata with asparagus, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and herbs.
Local A&J King pastries, baked fresh daily in Salem.
The Briar 75 with gin, pomegranate juice, elderflower, and Cava.
The most heavenly burrata of my life with garlic olive oil, herbs, and toast.
Adult tater tots with duck fat, thyme, and sea salt.
Grilled octopus with potatoes, smoked paprika oil, lemon aioli, pickled onion, and chorizo.
Pan seared fluke with mushroom dashi, king trumpets, asparagus, potato, sesame, and scallions.
The cheese plate is a little extra special because Grove offers a rotating cheese of the day and accompaniments to match.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Briar Barn Inn. I’ve always loved the Ipswich/Newburyport areas but without a car it’s challenging to visit both. Stay tuned for my guide to the neighboring Ipswich sights later this week! The Briar Barn is perfectly situated just an Uber ride (or a commuter rail ride) away from both. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend of dedicated work, a relaxing and romantic getaway, or a foodie escape, everything you need is right here.