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Salt Hotels adds 2 New England properties to its growing boutique luxury lineup

Oct. 29, 2024
4 min read
The Abner
Salt Hotels adds 2 New England properties to its growing boutique luxury lineup
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Just when it seems like the major hotel conglomerates are gobbling up every cooler small brand they can find, independent-minded travelers can take solace: Cape Cod-based Salt Hotels is expanding on its own terms.

The hotel collective, based in Provincetown, Massachusetts, has a North American presence with properties in Miami (Hotel Greystone) and Cape Cod (the Salt House Inn in Provincetown) and projects in the works in Minneapolis and Mexico. But the company’s latest openings in Connecticut and on Nantucket are notable additions to the New England hospitality scene.

The Abner in Litchfield, Connecticut, is a transformation of the Litchfield County Courthouse to a 20-room luxury hotel. The renovation entailed turning the former courtroom into the Courtroom, a restaurant that features repurposed judges’ benches and jury boxes as banquette seating and reception desks. We dare you not to be inspired to channel your inner Mariska Hargitay and make a "Law & Order"-inspired courtroom monologue after dining here.

“We went to Litchfield, and it is like a Hallmark movie set. It is so beautiful,” Salt Hotels co-founder David Bowd said. “Restoring these historic buildings is just so much fun.”

The Abner. SALT HOTELS

The Abner, designed by Salt Hotels co-founder Kevin O’Shea, also features Verdict, a seasonal rooftop bar. The lofty watering hole is meant to be a nod to turn-of-the-century formal gardens and features views of the surrounding countryside. Guests can check into a range of rooms, from the cozy Snug (formerly a judge’s chamber and now ideal for solo travelers) to a Chamber Suite (formerly a larger judge’s chamber that now offers a spacious bathroom and a seating area on top of standard amenities like Further and Palermo Body bath amenities and a minibar stocked with locally sourced items). Breakfast is included with each stay — a Salt Hotels brand standard.

But the brand isn’t stopping there. The team also opened The Brant, which features 26 rooms and suites across a three-building complex on Nantucket and can feel like the offspring of some of the island’s glitzy resorts and cozy inns, earlier this year. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast before lounging around the pool with a cocktail or mocktail and a dog-eared copy of the latest Elin Hilderbrand novel. Accommodations range from studios to multibedroom suites with kitchenettes.

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“It’s a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal but miles away from the crowds,” Bowd said with a smile.

The Brant. SALT HOTELS

The ongoing expansion gives travelers more opportunities to get to know Salt Hotels, which isn’t part of any major loyalty network but does have a limited presence on the Hyatt-owned Mr & Mrs Smith boutique and luxury hotel booking platform.

While none of the Mr & Mrs Smith-participating properties are yet on World of Hyatt, a company spokesperson notes the team is “working to get The Abner, The Brant and Salt House onto The World of Hyatt platform now” — a potential win for Hyatt fans looking to earn points in New England paradise.

Rates at The Abner start at $250 per night, while those at The Brant start at $400 per night.

Related reading:

Featured image by SALT HOTELS
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.