Do you ever find yourself discovering something quite consequential that previously went unnoticed? What a treat! On a recent drive, we came across Groton Inn, a beautiful property that’s perfect for enjoying peacefully quite celebrations, and it’s not too far from Boston. Maybe you’ve been tasked with finding a location for an event, corporate training, retirement party or a wedding. Or perhaps you are scouting a film location, and you need a unique venue. This might be the perfect place.
Situated in Groton, Massachusetts, the hotel location is not rural, nor is it suburbia. It is, however, Americana at its best, just a little over 40 miles outside of Boston. Arriving at the newly re-opened Groton Inn, the history and sense of place envelopes even the most jaded of travelers. Historically significant, the Inn offers guests unique luxury boutique lodging opportunities to revel in history, while relaxing and revitalizing in the present.
These hallowed grounds have lived through three hundred years of celebrating hospitality with guests from all walks of life. As you stroll down rocking-chair lined, wrap-around porch, towards the hotel’s front desk, you can feel the understated elegance exuding a welcoming vibe. A gracious and hospitable professional staff, vanquish any check-in anxieties while swiftly attending to your needs. Guest service pro Joe Dolciotto was pleasant, courteous and tactful while appetizingly hyping the fantastic breakfast. Turns out, it was one of the finest hotel breakfasts we’ve ever consumed.
There are five different room designations among the sixty-six rooms at the hotel. Each level has distinctive and desirable differences depending on the guest’s wishes. As we made our way to the room, it was hard not to stop every two feet to look at the historical photos of the Inn, and the community. We highly recommend the Bancroft Suites, especially if you will be there for a few days. They are definitely worth the splurge.
The spaciousness is immense with four separate areas—a living room, a spacious wet bar area with refrigerator, a 400 sq. ft bedroom, and a well-appointed bathroom with heated floors, and a huge glass-enclosed shower. Entering the room, it’s easy to notice the exquisite style and quality of furnishings, linens, towels, robes, and toiletries that are all first-class, confirming the luxurious understated elegance. All of the electrical outlets are equipped with USB outlets and the wireless is the strongest signal in a hotel I’ve ever seen. When you visit the Groton Inn, be sure to walk the halls of all three floors to immerse yourself in the gallery of photos and artifacts collected by the community from many different periods spanning three centuries.
Our room, #232, overlooked Gibbet Hill affording us with splendid pastoral views of the New England countryside that we were fortunate to experience. This room also looks out at the beautiful new restaurant operated by the Migis Hotel Group, Forge and Vine, which is a shining example of the, “If you build it, they will come” theory. This restaurant is an incredible success story. Walking in early evening on a Monday night in July, the place was packed. By 7 PM, it was reservations only or a lengthy wait, so I highly recommend making reservations even if it is a weekday.
The bar service was top-notch, and the food was outstanding. They had an excellent wine by the glass selection, like Napa Valley’s Pine Ridge Viognier-Chenin Blanc, and an impressive list of beers on tap. Their slow-braised, shredded short rib poutine achieves a level of perfect culinary architecture with the deftly balanced crispy fries juxtaposed against the melted cheese curds and moist, meaty, melt in your mouth beef.
Crispy down to the last French fry, each bite included every ingredient—perfection! The flatbreads are crispy and the toppings represent the highest quality local ingredients available. The following evening, we returned to the main dining room of Forge and Vine for a memorable meal. We started with a pint of the Banded Brewing Veridian IPA, from Biddeford, ME, alongside the crispy fried Judith point calamari with cherry peppers, chorizo, and baby kale. Cooked to a perfect tenderness and still crispy, it was amazing. Pamela went with the potato crusted cod with mussels and clams in a saffron broth—it was expertly executed cod with perfectly sautéed shellfish. For pairing, I recommend ordering the Cooper Mountain Pinot Gris, a wonderful biodynamic wine from Oregon.
For myself, I chose the braised short rib with wood-grilled asparagus and Boursin potatoes. The rich bold flavors were expertly prepared, delivering one of the most mouth-watering, decadently delicious comfort food dishes I’ve been served in a long time. The eclectic wine list has something for everyone and some stand-out values like the 2012 Lan Gran Reserva Tempranillo from Spain, which makes for a perfect pairing with the Braised Short Ribs.
Both meals were excellent. This restaurant is a destination worth seeking out and returning to often. Most of all, it was encouraging to see a non-metropolitan local restaurant succeeding, and bringing food to the table that a community can get behind and support.
Leaving room #232 was somewhat of a bittersweet moment. We’re going to miss that room but the fantastic breakfast made by Chef Nick and served by the consummate hospitalitarian, Diane (service professionals like her are few and far between these days) sent us on our way, with bellies full and smiling memories intact. Hopefully, you will utilize all of the fine lodging and culinary opportunities the Groton Inn and Forge and Vine offers in the historical community of Groton.
Enjoy!
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