Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection

I rarely write hotel reviews, but after our experience at The Mayflower Inn, I think it’s unfair that people continue to be seduced by its beautiful Instagram without knowing what they may actually find when they arrive. Four of us stayed for two nights in September. Our bill was $14,850. Room 26 had mold beneath all three windows. The wicker blinds were so deteriorated they looked chewed, paint was flaking off the bathroom walls, the carpet appeared to have been layered over older carpet, and a wall sconce literally flipped over when we tried to turn it on. The problem is that so much of the Mayflower’s appeal depends on its design. Once that deteriorates, there isn’t much underneath it. There are no wonderful wood-burning fireplaces, the buildings aren’t particularly beautiful, and the grounds and gardens were surprisingly lackluster. What may once have felt deliberately rustic and charming now just feels tired and unkempt. The Daniel Boulud restaurant was equally uneven. One room was still charming; the other was sterile, cold and harshly lit. My husband and a friend ordered the white sausage with pommes purée. The potatoes arrived cold, were sent back, and came back cold again. The spa was unimaginative, and there was a strange lack of local knowledge throughout the hotel. We asked six or seven employees for a restaurant recommendation in nearby New Preston and not one could give us one. Even the pool was tired and cloudy. I remember swimming and wondering why I had left my beautiful house to come here. That may sound spoiled, but it gets to the heart of the problem: people staying at a hotel this expensive should be inspired by the facilities, not made homesick by them. Then our friend’s Cartier Louis engagement watch was stolen from the spa locker room. We reported it immediately. One employee suggested he might have lost it while running that morning. There was a nor’easter. He had run on the hotel treadmill. There seemed to be no real security response, very limited camera coverage and almost no communication between managers. Our friend spent hours over two days repeatedly explaining the theft to different people because no one seemed to know what was going on. Privacy and security are not mutually exclusive. The watch was never recovered. The next morning I asked for our bill. Nothing had been adjusted. After once again going through everything with management, they took $1,500 off, which I appreciated. We left September 27. As of October 6, neither I nor our friend has received any meaningful follow-up. Oddly, the best part of the hotel was the new Mercedes-Maybach and G-Wagon, which we took into town ourselves. They were probably the nicest and best-maintained things we encountered all weekend. The Mayflower still photographs beautifully. In person, it felt worn, poorly maintained and strangely hollow. The high design that once gave it charm cannot carry it forever. It doesn’t need another cosmetic refresh. It needs to be completely reimagined.

A lovely romantic retreat with great service, wonderful food, and beautiful grounds. The spa is beautiful. Service is friendly and personable all around.

Excellent customer service. The staff is so kind and friendly. The food and ambiance is outstanding.

What an amazing stay. Everything from the spa experience, fabulous drinks in the lounge, a breathtaking dining experience with the Boulud tasting menu, and especially the drinks at the firepit to end the night. World class. Can't wait to return.

The Mayflower was honestly the best lodging experience we have ever been to. The spa was phenomenal, the staff were so attentive and they personalized our experience to really make it special for our baby moon. I cannot recommend them enough. I will be going back