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This handsome historic structure sits right in the village, and it's the best choice for those seeking a sense of New England history along with a bit of pampering. A sprawling hostelry with 100 guest rooms spread among several buildings old and new, it feels far more intimate, with accommodations tastefully decorated in an early-19th-century motif that befits the 1833 vintage of the main inn. More than a dozen units feature Jacuzzis and/or gas fireplaces, and the Mill House has rooms with CD players, sofas, and Jacuzzis that open into the bedroom from behind folding wooden doors. The luxe Mansfield House (which opened in 2000) features double Jacuzzis, marble bathrooms, and 36-inch TVs with DVD players. The most expensive rooms are uniformly superb; some of the lower-priced rooms in the main inn feature minor irritants, such as balky radiators or views of noisy kitchen ventilators.

© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.