The Lark group is subverting expectations in New England by creating playful hotels that put an irreverent spin on revered forms.
Normally New England is a byword for a certain reserved propriety and adherence to tradition. Behind every sober facade, though, lies a thirst for the unconventional — a repressed desire that seeks a suitable moment to reveal itself. For the region’s hotels, that moment has arrived.
In the few short years since their 2012 debut, Lark Hotels has surprised the New England hospitality scene with hotels that choose playful eccentricity over steady conservatism. They do this not through shallow bluster, but by subverting expectations. The pastoral vibes of the coastal Northeast have wide appeal, and Lark’s hotels steer smartly into the skid, infusing the history of their iconic locations with a dose of irreverence. The rebellious colors and streetwise accents might be blasphemous to a Brahmin, but they’re a welcome revisioning for travelers accustomed to a modern boutique hotel experience.
Enjoy this closer look at ten of our favorite Lark hotels.
Gilded
Newport, Rhode Island
Made from a pair of Victorian houses in a residential neighborhood of Newport, Gilded (the hotel) flips the pretension of Gilded (the age) on its head. The Baroque and Rococo design styles of the late 19th century are acknowledged, but in a way that removes the oppression that comes with so much heavy ornamentation. The hotel never lets you forget that you’re here to have fun.
The Attwater
Newport, Rhode Island
At first glance, the Attwater’s quirky style could be considered edgy by local standards — the location being the heart of genteel, historic Newport — but a closer inspection reveals a design that’s actually quite at home here, all threaded with subtle nautical references, and tinged with teals and navy blues that just look better this close to the Atlantic.
The Christopher
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Lark also isn’t afraid to mix in outside styles that seem far afield from the local traditions. Case in point, The Christopher, which adds French Caribbean and mid-century modern influences to a 15-room Victorian inn that is otherwise quintessentially New England. That type of adventurousness is no small matter in stately and upright Martha’s Vineyard.
Summercamp Hotel
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Within a group known for playful hotels, Summercamp may be the most playful of them all — and for good reason. The hotel aims to bring to life an urbane, grown-up version of all of our summer-camp fantasies. It’s not a random goal, either; Summercamp’s neighborhood of Wesleyan Grove has a rich history as a Methodist camp destination.
21 Broad
Nantucket, Massachusetts
As an ornate Victorian in a town dominated by Federal-style buildings, the house at 21 Broad Street in Nantucket has always stood out. And now, thanks to Lark, it stands out even more — especially the lively new interiors, which are modern, to be sure, but complement a major restoration that was entirely historically correct, architecturally speaking.
Hotel Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
In the idyllic seaside town of Portsmouth, Lark accomplished something that always impresses us. They took over a relatively small 1881-vintage Victorian house, added 32 new hotel rooms, and made it all blend together seamlessly. Wandering the halls, you never feel too separated from the charm of the original 19th-century structure — despite a generous helping of modern amenities.
Field Guide
Stowe, Vermont
Just when you were starting to think that maybe the Lark concept is only for hotels located near the coast, Field Guide, in the classic New England mountain town of Stowe, comes along to show how flexible it can be. The style, particularly inside, combines Lark’s usual colorful, modernist-inspired design with a plush, rustic-chic vibe that’s a perfect fit for the surroundings.
Captain Fairfield Inn
Kennebunkport, Maine
And just when you were starting to think that Lark dealt mainly in old Victorians…. Captain Fairfield Inn is housed in a renovated 1813 Federal mansion in the charming maritime village of Kennebunkport. There’s a nice variety in the rooms here, with some feeling completely modern and others closer to the building’s former life as a sea captain’s well-appointed home.
Pomegranate Inn
Portland, Maine
Perhaps inspired by the nearby Maine College of Art or the excellent Portland Museum of Art, Pomegranate Inn puts local New England artists front and center. The inn’s eclectic art collection is prominently featured throughout the hotel, ensuring that color, and lots of it, comes to the fore. It’s the second best thing about this B&B, behind their unparalleled breakfast.
Whitehall
Camden, Maine
If you’ve mastered Maine’s more southerly coastal towns and you’re looking for a deeper immersion, Camden, nestled between the mountains and the Atlantic, is the logical next step. It’s also where you’ll find Whitehall, a renovated 1834 mansion that’s a vibrant tribute both to 19th-century New England and to mid-century modernism in its particular Northeast flavor.