The Inn at Castle Hill


  • Inn Details

    Secluded beyond the ornamental iron gates of the Crane Estate and nestled at the foot of Castle Hill is our beautiful Inn. Serenely situated, the Inn at Castle Hill is a center for retreat and relaxation as well as for embarking on an exciting day's journey. Tasteful yet luxurious furnishings, sumptuous breakfasts, and a warm and generous staff anticipate your arrival. Take tea on the wraparound veranda and gaze across the spectacular coastline, or read quietly upon a sun-bathed window seat. All of the rooms at the Inn are uniquely decorated and most feature stunning views over the salt marshes, sand dunes, and Atlantic Ocean. Beyond the Crane Estate, activities invite both the adventurous and retiring. Kayaking, fishing or whale watching await you. Explore the beautiful grounds of adjacent Castle Hill. Or visit nearby historic Salem, Rockport or Gloucester and shop for that special antique or treasure. The Inn at Castle Hill is owned and managed by the Trustees of Reservations, a conservation organization dedicated to preserving historic and ecologically important sites in Massachusetts. All proceeds from the Inn go to continuing these conservation efforts.


    Innkeeper Information

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English



    Features

    Type:

    • Bed and Breakfast

    • Historic Inn

    Property Noted For:

    • Featured in New York Times

    • Featured in Town & Country

    • National Historal Landmark

    • Setting on magnificent Crane Estate

    • Top 10 Inns in New England - Forbes

    • Antiques/decor

    • Excellent views

    • Group events

    • Honeymoons

    • Luxury

    • Nature

    • Peaceful getaway

    • Romantic escape

    • Weddings


    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Bath robes

    • Fireplace

    • Hairdryer

    • Ironing Board

    • Wi-Fi

    On Site:

    • Board games

    • Conference Rooms

    • Library

    • Telephone

    • Wedding Facilities

  • No results at this time

  • Symonds

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $140/$175

    A light and cheery room, Symonds has yellow walls and white linens. This ground-floor corner room adjacent to our living room has a queen-size bed. The windows look out onto the woodlands and the back yard of the inn with its traditional stone wall.

    Choate

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $175/$215

    Light avocado-green walls and beautiful matching toile window treatments give Choate a clean, yet elegant style. From the windows of this second-floor corner room, guests look out onto the woodlands of Castle Hill. Choate has a queen-size bed.

    Brown

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $175/$215

    Wonderful brown toile wallpaper and an antique, tiger-maple “quing” bed (slightly larger than a queen, a little bit smaller than a king) highlight this second floor room. With two windows that face west, the room is bathed in the afternoon sun, while the north-facing windows look over the woodlands.

    Teller

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $180/$225

    Reminiscent of a ship’s cabin with sailing charts, brass lamps and built-in drawers that date from the house’s construction in the 1850’s, Teller is a third-floor cozy room with a queen-size bed and an incredible ocean view from the window seat.

    Florence

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $260/$285

    With two window seats overlooking the marshes and Atlantic Ocean, Florence has sand colored walls, dark wood furnishings, and a sisal rug to create a "beach-cottage" feeling. This attractive third floor room has a queen-size bed.

    Winthrop

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $240/$295

    Clean lines and a charming animal print motif characterize this light, second floor corner room. With windows on two sides, guests enjoy a view of the marsh and ocean from two windows while watching the setting sun from two others. Winthrop features sand colored walls, an iron, four-poster, faux-bamboo queen-sized bed and rattan furniture.

    Higinbotham

    Suite maximum capacity: 3

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $300/$375

    The largest of all of our rooms, Higinbotham is a wonderful escape on the third floor with windows overlooking the marsh and ocean, the woodlands and the stunning Italianate farm buildings below the inn. The three window seats and day bed provide inviting areas to relax and take in the views. Walls are painted in a very serene taupe with complementing wool carpet. With a king-size bed and the twin-size day bed, three guests may be accommodated in the room.

    Mine

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $350/$365

    With two windows looking onto the marsh and the ocean and a fireplace flanked by windows overlooking the woodlands of Castle Hill, Miné is another favorite of our guests. The two-toned, glazed yellow striped walls and floral window treatments offer a very warm and welcoming space on the second floor. This corner room has a king-size bed.

    Cornelius

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 King

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $350/$385

    Upon walking into Cornelius, guests are met by a most spectacular view of the Great Marsh and Atlantic Ocean. The soft dove gray walls and white Berber carpeting create a soothing atmosphere to relax in two comfortable upholstered chairs or the king-sized bed. This spectacular second floor room is one of our most often requested accommodations.

    Burnham

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $280/$350

    Sitting on the window seat in the bedroom of Burnham, guests may take in the woodlands of Castle Hill. The small sitting room off the bedroom catches the brilliant afternoon sun and offers views of the woodlands and Italianate farm buildings. The décor is clean and contemporary with off-white fabrics and window treatments complemented with matchstick blinds. Two full bathrooms provide extra space for the guests. The bathroom off the living room offers guests one of the most stunning views of the marsh and ocean.

    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: 3:00 PM    Check out: 11:AM

    • Minimum stay: Two-night minimum stay on weekends, three-night minimum stay on select holidays

    • Deposit amount required: 50% of the room charges for multiple nights or one night is required to secure your reservation.

    • Cancellations: A two week cancellation notice is required prior to your expected arrival. If you must cancel within this two-week period, you will be held responsible for the full rate of the room for each night that has been booked until such time as we are able to re-book your cancelled room. Of course, we will make every effort in this regard. There is a $25 cancellation fee for each room booked.

    • Open all year round: N


    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: No

    • Guest pets allowed: No

    • Drinking allowed: Yes

    • Drinking description: Full liquor license.

    • Drinks available: Y

    • Children allowed: Children over 12 are welcome.

    • Suitable for children: Limited

    • Childcare provided: No


    Discount type

    • Members of The Trustees of Reservations
      Percent off: 10% Days required: 2

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: 8:00 to 10:00am

    • Serving location: Dining Room


    Special meal options


    Additional food services

    • Beer, wine, liquor available

  • Location Type

    • Conservation Land

    • Countryside

    • Oceanside

    • Small town


    City

    • Ipswich

    • Distance to city: 1 miles

    • Directions to property:
      From Boston: Follow Route 1 North to the exit for Route 128 North (towards Gloucester). Follow Route 128 North to Exit 15 (School Street; Essex). Turn left onto School Street and follow it 3.0 miles into the town of Essex. At the intersection, turn left onto Main Street and follow it for 0.5 miles. Bear right onto Route 133 West and follow it 2.5 miles. Turn right at the sign for Castle Hill onto Northgate Road. At the end of Northgate Road, bear right onto Argilla Road. Follow Argilla Road for 1.9 miles and, at the bend in the road, bear left towards the columns and wrought iron gate. The Inn is straight ahead; parking is on your left.


    Airport

    • Boston, MA (BOS-Logan Intl.) 30 miles

    • Directions to property:
      From the airport, follow the signs directing you to Route 1 North. Merge onto Route 1 North and follow Route 1 to the exit for Route 128 North (towards Gloucester). Follow route 128 North to exit 15 (School Street; Essex & Manchester). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto School Street and follow it 3.0 miles into the town of Essex. At the intersection, turn left onto Main Street and follow it for 0.5 miles over the causeway. Bear right onto route 133 West and follow it for 2.5 miles. Turn right at the sign for Castle Hill onto Northgate Road. Follow Northgate Road 0.5 miles until it ends. Bear right onto Argilla Road. Follow Argilla Road 1.9 miles and, at the bend in the road, bear left (almost straight) towards the estate columns and wrought iron gate. The Gatekeeper will greet you. The Inn is straight ahead; parking is on your left.


    Area Attractions

    • Antique Shopping

    • Art Galleries

    • Beach

    • Concert venue

    • Gourmet/Fine Dining

    • Historical interests

    • Live Music

    • Movie Theater

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Ocean

    • Crane Estate

    • Crane Beach

    • Near Salem, Gloucester & Newburyport

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Bicycle rental

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Bicycles

    • Bird watching

    • Boating

    • Canoeing

    • Cross-country ski trails

    • Fishing

    • Golfing

    • Hiking trails

    • Kayaking

    • Sailing

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Snow shoe trails

    • Swimming

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    Write a review

    Best Accommodations we ever had!

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • Stays at B&Bs twice a year

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation


    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    This inn is expensive, but worth every penny. We stayed in one of the best rooms, with lots of light and a spectacular expansive view of the ocean and a marsh. Every detail of our accommodations was perfect - fabulous towels and terrycloth robes, wonderful sheets. Service was attentive and impeccable. Each night a fire was lit in the living room for our enjoyment, and the staff was helpful with directions about places to visit. Nearby Crane Beach is one of the gems of Massachusetts, and our walk in the dunes was most rewarding. If you want to pamper yourself, this is the place to go! Also, there are no TVs or phone in the rooms -- our idea of what is necessary for a peaceful retreat.


    Perfect!!!

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway


    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    The most relaxing, elegant, de-stressing, peaceful weekend! Can't say enough!!!


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