A few weeks ago I ventured to Rockport for a pre-season getaway thanks to the generous hosts at Addison Choate! The Rockport area is bursting with Inns and Bed-and-Breakfasts, but Addison Choate is of a completely different breed. Though they do technically offer you a luxurious bed with high-quality linens and a homemade breakfast, the experience is altogether different from the floral printed, forced socializing we’ve come to expect from Inns.
Owners Marshall and Courtney were inspired to enter the hospitality industry after an AirBnb style excursion in New Hampshire. They purchased this historic property and rehabbed it, maintaining the charming details of an earlier Rockport while modernizing the amenities and aesthetic. The couple is an absolute powerhouse. This began as a side project and they’ve developed it into a full on hospitality business. In fact, the duo just announced the purchase of a new property in Rockport that will be their second location. These are not people who sit around, and that’s clear in every detail of the experience.
The decor is a dream blend of contemporary and traditional, mixing working wood fireplaces and cozy built-ins with chic marble and metal accents. The art around Addison Choate is a mix of TJ Maxx finds and local gems. The two pieces below were commissioned by local artists specifically for the Inn. Courtney is from the Rockport area and connecting with the community is a huge cornerstone of the Addison Choate mission. Everywhere we went in Rockport people had nice things to say about the boutique hotel and owners. Although Rockport is a busy tourist destination, it maintains the community spirit of a small town. One of the business owners we met commented that she wanted to live here because it was one of the few places where her children can still play safely out in the neighborhood.
Each room has its own special decor hook. We stayed in the room below which felt very Old Havana to me with the foliage and bright warm colors. The bed was supremely comfortable, a challenging feat for any hotel.
Bathrooms on site come in a variety of styles, some with shower stalls and some with tubs, but they’re all designed with luxurious marbles and metal finishes. The black wood also brings an elevated, modern feel to the space.
I’m a huge history nerd so I loved hearing about the original owner. His name was Addison Choate, hence the hotel, and his family owned and operated a shop in town. The house next door was conveniently (or perhaps irritatingly) owned by own of his relatives. Inside the dining room of the Inn, you’ll find The Choates in America, a full genealogical history of the family here in the United States. This volume was actually gifted to the owners by a friend, who’s related to the Choate family. When they say Massachusetts is small they’re not kidding! I love that this history lives here now, maintaining the family legacy on site.
I love to savor my mornings when I travel because it’s typically the only stillness I get during a trip. Addison Choate is perfectly designed for a lazy morning in. The rooms are equipped with a coffee machine, mini fridge, and important items like mugs, cups, and candies. But the real genius is in the Addison Choate breakfast program.
The Breakfast Club was launched during COVID-19 to promote social distancing, but it’s been so loved by visitors that the owners might continue the option post-pandemic. Here’s how it works. You fill out a card with your breakfast preferences and selections and leave it on your door at night. In the morning at your selected time you pop down and grab your bag from the Inn lobby. Inside are all the goodies you ordered just waiting to be sampled in your fluffy hotel robe.
On a typical basis guests can eat in the dining room, but I love having the option to eat in room as well. Breakfast in bed is one of those things rarely done in the chaos of ordinary life and it makes the morning experience at Addison Choate extra special. One thing to note: the scones on the breakfast menu are an absolute must. Courtney and Marshall make them from scratch and they are life changing. We had a lemon ginger scone with three different types of ginger that I’m still drooling over weeks later.
Personal touches and exceptional service are the cornerstone of the Addison Choate experience. In my room the owners thoughtfully left a collection of Russian literature that I might enjoy during my stay. And let me tell you, I always sleep better when Dostoevsky’s in the room. Throughout the entire trip they made sure we felt welcome and our every need was met. These are people who clearly love what they do and it shone through at every interaction we had with them.
Courtney and Marshall generously coordinated a few local experiences for us which I’ll be delving into in a Rockport Travel Guide next week. They also offer bikes on the property that you can use to ride around town. The town center is only a five to ten minute walk from Addison Choate and the whole area is very walkable, but the bikes are a great resource if you’re going a little farther afield. We didn’t bring a car and having that transportation option was hugely helpful.
For those also traveling car-less, the MBTA station is just a ten minute walk from the hotel so it’s very easy to take the Commuter Rail to and from during a weekend trip.
I travel a lot and even the most innovative of big hotels tend to follow a similar pattern. Addison Choate was a breath of fresh air from the ordinary hotel experience. It was at once homey and welcoming and luxurious and chic. I can’t wait for our next visit!
Please note: I was provided with a complimentary stay at Addison Choate, however, all opinions expressed are my own.