 Gold Coast Gateway
If East Coast preppy chic, understated luxury, stately country homes and waterfront estates with multi million-dollar yachts make you conjure Greenwich, CT, you're on the money. The "Gateway to New England," one of the most affluent communities in America, is the ideal "Gold Coast" getaway destination for weekenders, Manhattanites and everyone else in the country. Perched right on the harbor, steps from the fashionable stores, restaurants and businesses on Greenwich Avenue ("The Rodeo Drive of the East Coast") and just 40 minutes from Manhattan, The Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel is Greenwich's one and only waterfront luxury property.
A surprising perk is the hotel's absolute no-tipping policy. And that is to be taken verbatim: guests are strongly urged to refrain from leaving gratuities. The idea is to have us feel as if we were truly lounging at a private home. And of course, house guests aren't usually required to leave cash sums. The other rarity for such a posh place is the no "VIP" list policy. All guests are created equal, equally pampered, equally honored and personally escorted to the room. Service is outstanding, as is everything else: tasteful décor, Frette linen, fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs in the suites. Of the nine suites and 74 rooms most have balconies with romantic harbor views and all feature TV/DVD. Should you want to work out, check out the fitness room. There's a nice, intimate library where one can get a fine espresso at the touch of a button, and the three-story yellow stucco structure, with a terra cotta tile roof, houses an elegant restaurant, L'Escale, with a focus on seafood and Mediterranean/Provencal flavors (www.lescalerestaurant.com, 203-661-4600).
There's
plenty of golf in the area to keep busy, as well as tennis,
shopping, museums, sailing and other water sports. The downtown
train station is within walking distance to take a ride into
Gotham; picturesque Island Beach is ten minutes away by ferry.
But, of course, you don't have to go anywhere. Just slink into
a leather chair in the library, watch the sails go by and luxuriate
in some of the best service on the Gold Coast. ***
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Delamar
Greenwich Harbor Hotel
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