City: Freeport, ME

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (207) 865-9377 or (800) 342-64

Address: 162 Main St.

Description: CondeNast Traveler named this old downtown beauty to its Top 700 places to stay in the world, and anyone who likes shopping will certainly agree. It’s but 2 blocks to L.L. Bean and the center of outletville (you could even carry heavy shopping bags that far). Actually, anyone who likes classic comforts and appreciates good taste and country inns will feel comfortable in this Federal-style hostelry. There are 84 rooms in all—as well as nine town houses designed for longer stays—and they are nicely appointed with details like actual antiques and canopy beds, cable TV, and Wi-Fi, as well as fireplaces and Jacuzzis and wet bars in some rooms. Other amenities include an attractive pool and two nice dining rooms—the elegant formal room with its white linens and Windsor chairs, where you can get one of the best brunches in the state on Sundays, and the Broad Arrow Tavern, a more casual place decked out like a North Woods lodge, complete with snowshoes and an overhead canoe. The place even hosts guest speakers. It is run by the Gray family, and they do a bang-up job.