$100–150

Plenty of tidy and modern rooms at modest rates are at Crowne Plaza Hartford–Downtown (50 Morgan St., Hartford, 860/ 549-2400, www.cphartford.com, $115–142). It isn’t the most personal place to crash, but with an outdoor pool, breakfast included, and professional service, it’s a terrific value.

Smack next to the state capital building, with easy access to the Hartford Civic Center, Hilton Hartford (315 Trumbull St., Hartford, 860/728-5151, www.hilton.com, $100–140) is a tightly run operation of about 400 rooms. Expect all the usual Hilton amenities (in-room coffeemakers and high-speed Internet access) plus an indoor pool, and fully outfitted fitness center.

$150–250

With its proximity to Wesleyan (it’s literally a minute’s walk away), the Inn at Middletown (70 Main St., Middletown, 860/854-6300, www.innatmiddletown.com, $149–199) is a good option for visitors to the university. Some of the decor comes off as a bit corporate, but it offers a number of amenities, including large beds, speakerphones, Internet access, coffeemakers, and two-room suites for families.

The Business District’s Goodwin Hotel (1 Hayes St., Hartford, 860/246-7500, www.goodwinhotel.com, $139–189) is as well-situated as it is tastefully outfitted. Its comfy beds, fitness center, valet parking, and myriad business services (from data ports to faxing), have made it a popular choice among visiting professionals.

$250 and Up

Since it opened in the mid-18th century, the
Griswold Inn (36 Main St., Essex, 860/767-1776, www.griswoldinn.com, $100– 370) has been hosting guests with meticulous, personal service. Rooms are laid out with Oriental carpets and carved wooden beds, fireplaces and fresh flowers. The inn also houses a tap room/piano bar, plus a fine-dining restaurant where dinners are borderline-gala affairs. Sundays see the epic and grand Hunt Breakfast (a tradition started at the hotel by the British, when they occupied it during the War of 1812). Picture an enormous spread of carved meats, cocktails, fresh-baked breads, game, and seafood—all served fireside.

Beautiful fabrics and bold wallpapers define the tasteful guest rooms at the undeniably romantic Copper Beech Inn (46 Main St., Ivoryton, 888/809- 2056, www.copperbeechinn.com, $195–350), which come with luxuries from mahogany four-poster beds to massage tubs and heated marble floors. Breakfast is a sedate affair in the sun-filled atrium, while dinners—prepared by talented chef Henri Laaksonen—are more epic, and can include anything from five-spice duck to lamb in curry with chanterelles.

© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition