Tasteful New Holiday Traditions

The holiday season gives us an opportunity to begin new traditions, including tasting new wines in new places, without venturing too far from home.

Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine, sprawls across 70 acres atop Bald Head Cliff. This Seacoast icon was recently sold and renovated. The property has gone through several reinventions, the first in 1948 after a military takeover. The second in 1990, and the third this year when Destination Hotels took the reins.

Tiller, the hotel’s signature restaurant, offers a seasonal menu with varying flavors for breakfast, lunch or dinner though farm-fresh local produce, line-caught fish, steaks, and homemade traditional Maine recipes handed down from generations. The wine program is tasteful and pairs well with Maine cuisine.

Tidemark Terrace, the bar area, is warmed with an oversized crackling fireplace, the perfect choice for enjoying a glass of Justin’s full bodied red from Paso Robles, a wine region located in central California. The bar also serves cocktails and healthy food. You can hear live entertainment on weekends.

Nubb’s, the property’s authentic lobster shack, overlooks the rocky Maine coast. Here you can spend a lazy Sunday watching football while eating fresh Maine lobster rolls, chicken wings, juicy burgers and whoopie pies. There is also a raw bar and plenty of local craft beer choices.

Should you eat or drink too much, consider a workout at the well-equipped fitness center or feel renewed with a yoga class. The brand new 9,000 square-foot luxury spa presents a full menu of treatments. A great present to give yourself, especially during the holidays.

All the guest rooms are spacious and stunning with jaw-dropping views of the ocean. The decor throughout the property blends well with the natural beauty of the Maine coast. A great getaway for the holidays!

For more information, reservations, or to book an event, visit www.cliffhousemaine.com or call (207) 361-1000.

Castle Hill Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property, sits further south atop a 40-acre peninsula with expansive views of Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island.

Castle Hill Inn has lured guests from around the world with its coastal setting, sunsets, and authentic Newport, R.I., glamour for more than a century. This historic inn is a perfect place to begin new traditions while escaping for the holidays and winter season. The Retreat Spa tailors wellness treatments just for you.

Enjoy wine tastings, gourmet dining options and traditional tea time. You can easily take in Newport’s charming winter landscapes from many areas on the property, including your room.

Christmas on the Hill (Dec. 24–26)

The inn is always elegantly dressed for the holidays making it a picturesque place to sip eggnog and enjoy a favorite book by the fire. Guests enjoy their own stocking during their stay, a signature Castle Hill Sherpa blanket, and leave with a handcrafted ornament. Included as a part of this getaway are a three-course menu Christmas Eve dinner or traditional Christmas Day feast.

New Year’s Eve: Capodanno at Castle Hill Inn (Dec. 30 to Jan. 1)

Castle Hill Inn is the ideal place to both relax and celebrate while ringing in the New Year. This year, Castle Hill Inn is putting an Italian spin on the holiday. Capodanno is the Italian word for New Year’s, and is seen as the culmination of festivities and a very special moment to share with dearest friends and family. After an evening of dinner and dancing, guests are invited to enjoy Castle Hill’s Richiamino (Italian for “hair of the dog”) Brunch on New Year’s Day.

For more information and reservations, visit www.castlehillinn.com or call (888) 466-1355.

Cheers!