Although it is not safe to go back in the water, the Briar Barn Inn in Rowley, Mass. provides a good chance to get your feet wet. This Inn Credible New England perspective is from someone with an "underlying condition" that requires strong preventions against Covid.
The even better news is that the genuinely good folks at this boutique establishment offer an exceptional retreat in a setting that makes it tough to choose between relaxing in your room or on the well-landscaped grounds.
The property having a tranquil spa and the gourmet Grove restaurant provides two more reasons to choose it for a break from our increasingly cold, cruel world.
One of many "good citizen" aspects of the Briar Barn is offering graduates of the nearby Governor's Academy (my people call it Governor Dummer) an awesome discount.
COVID SAFETY
The good news for right-thinking folks who take Covid into consideration when travelling is that the Briar Barn provides peace-of-mind that helps enjoy stays there. This begins with a cleaning protocol that leaves things sparkling and sanitary.
Each room having windows that open allowed opening mine on arrival and letting in fresh air for several hours; I left them open most of the day the rest of my stay.
The even better news this time is that every room has an individual HVAC unit that reduces concern as to breathing the same air as other guests.
COUNTRY STYLE LUXURY
The "little bit country" "little bit rock-and-roll" appeal of the Briar Barn comes from combining the quality of an upscale cookie-cutter hotel and staying true to the small-town rural location of Rowley, Mass. This burg being 34 miles from the Hub of the Universe (aka Boston) offers its own form of the best of both worlds.
Getting the comfort of crisp clean bedding, Pottery Barn style furniture, and Lockwood of New York amenities that include awesome bath salts for use in the soaking tub enhances the experience. Artistically combining these elements in a manner that reflects the bucolic setting is the icing on this tasty cake.
Having a separate sitting area with comfy chairs (or a sofa) provides further bliss by not making the just-right bed a multi-purpose space beyond its traditional uses.
The value of this extends to almost certainly guaranteeing marital (or significant other) bliss. Personal and anecdotal experience shows that one person in such relationships wants room service and flat-screen televisions, and the other wants the charm of a B-and-B. The Briar Barn, which has EXCELLENT wifi service and hides behemoth screens in cabinets, does not require either person to compromise.
An apt aspect of this is that the Briar Barn earning its reputation as a coveted wedding venue almost ensures that the honeymoon period will last at least until the day after you effectively go to the chapel and get married.
An entirely friendly suggestion for the Briar Barn for the period when Covid and related staffing challenges are a thing of the past is that turn-down service is awesome. NOTHING beats coming back from dinner to find fresh fluffy towels, wiped down surfaces, and a soothing fragrance. Most of us also would not object to finding a small box of gourmet chocolates from nearby Harbor Sweets waiting for us.
PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO
As indicated above, the tranquility of the room is highly conducive for winding down from enjoying the numerous nearby activities.
Folks seeking an urban experience (or are in the area for an interview at or visit to a college in the Athens of America) have the benefit of commuter-rail station five minutes from the hotel providing transportation into the proverbial historic north end of Boston. This line also stops in equally historic Salem, Mass.
The numerous Boston-area colleges and prep schools are equally accessible by car.
Guest who enjoy their boutique shopping and gourmet dining in a more serene setting can drive 15 minutes to Newburyport, Mass. Personal favorite eateries of this guy who is not fond of seafood are the Black Cow and the Mission Oak Grill. NOTHING beats the hamburgers at Lexi's or the pizza at Abraham's Bagels for cheap eats.
Equally historic Portsmouth, NH is 30 minutes away; this small city has many of the same shops and dining establishments as Newburyport and quite a few more.
The undisputed top choice for beaches is the large and pristine Crane's Beach in Ipswich. Mass. This also facilitates eating at the Clam Box along the way. Lists of the best places for fried clams in America almost always place this one in the head of the class.
The Plum Island Beach outside Newburyport also has its appeal; it is not as nice as Crane's and can have parking challenges.
The Joe's Playland arcade and other family-friendly attractions at Salisbury Beach a little further outside Newburyport may be the best option for families.
These excursions, and a handful of related ones, makes it impossible to get bored while staying at the Briar Barn.
An appealing aspect of this is that this environment facilities a busy day out, returning to your well-cleaned room for an afternoon rest and washing the filth off your body, then going to the on-site Grove restaurant or another dining establishment for a mellow meal, and then coming back for an early night before doing it all over again.
HOSPITALITY
The perfect blend of "country" and "rock-and-roll" at the Brian Barn already makes it ideal for visits to the Massachusetts north shore and New Hampshire seacoast. The literal going above-and-beyond provides a terrific reminder of the "good ole days."
Desk clerk extraordinaire Naomi personifies this hospitality. Her friendly greetings as you come and go help brighten the day. She really shined as to a special request.
The delight on checking in includes finding two bottles of tasty Voss water. The twist when making a "please, Sir; may I have some more?" request for additional water was Naomi bringing a six-pack of bottles to the desk.
Bottom Line
All of the above amounts to anticipation of an April 2022 visit to the Briar Barn surely helping ease the pain of a winter of almost complete lockdown discontent.
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