For the discerning traveler, few pleasures rival stepping across the threshold of a great hotel. Enter the Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Plymouth, MA and you know you’ve found gold. This new intimate property is reminiscent of a French country estate, surrounded by Monet-inspired gardens, a picture-perfect waterfall and lily-loaded Koi ponds.
Elegant tranquility doesn’t mean stuffy; the doting staff encourages guests to meander from their room to the spa wearing nothing more than the resort’s fluffy white robes, so casual serenity rules. If you’re looking for a quick getaway that blends relaxed with refined, start planning your visit.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
The Spa
All guests have unlimited access to the spa facilities, even without booking a treatment. Head to the Resting Area and gaze at the hand painted murals and frolicking frescos as you dip your tootsies into the soothing foot pool. Sip an herbal elixir before you hit the eucalyptus-infused steam room. The outdoor Aqua Terrace is where you’ll find a hot plunge pool, cozy fire pit and bar serving handcrafted cocktails. If you tempted to book a treatment, you’ll have the difficult decision of choosing from a menu of indulgent services such as massages, facials, body wraps and scrubs. The state of-the art gym has a full range of group exercise classes, free for all guests, so there’s no excuse not to keep up with your fitness regime. Yoga, Pilates, spinning and boot camp are just a few of the daily offerings.
The Digs
All 50 rooms feature a fireplace, generous bathrooms with double sinks and cushy beds with luxurious linens. Most have inviting soaking tubs with room for two. The in-house chocolatier’s irresistible confections are brought to your bedside each night for the ultimate candy-coated sweet dream.
The Eats
You can taste Mirbeau’s seaside New England location in the delectable cuisine served at its two restaurants. Chef favors boat-to-table seafood and locally grown produce.
You may eat all three meals on the breezy deck at the easygoing Bistro & Wine Bar. Nibble on just-baked popovers drizzled with honey-infused butter, Cape Cod oysters and a perfect rendition of that bistro classic, steak-frites. If you’re after a more formal dining experience, upscale Henri-Marie serves cuisine with a decisively French accent each evening.
The Activities
Guests of Mirbeau have access to two 18-hole golf courses and miles of wooded walking trails. If you choose to venture off property for some sightseeing, historic Plymouth is home to Plymouth Rock, a replica of the Mayflower, Plimoth Plantation and numerous other venues that pay homage to the Pilgrims. Whale watching cruises and lovely beaches are nearby. The hotel can help arrange transportation.
Check more reviews on Yelp.
How to get there: Mirbeau is reachable without a car. Amtrak takes three hours from Penn Station to Providence. Complete the journey with a 40-minute ride in a private car that the concierge can arrange and you’ll arrive at the property in four hours.
Photo Credits: Eric Roth, Allison Tibaldi, Will Hart
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram