T+L’s review of Belden House in Litchfield Connecticut

A series of fires destroyed Litchfield in Connecticut over a hundred years ago. It was the seat of a county of the same name. The New York Times The media referred to Litchfield in its coverage as the “queen of Connecticut towns” and lamented that many businesses were destroyed in this stylish resort. One of these was a luxury hotel at the corner of West Street and Main Street. Litchfield rebuilt in brick and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The ashes of the old hotel were transformed into a high-street full-service property thanks to Anthony Champalimaud’s bold vision. Belden House and Mews The hotel has been transformed with a unique flair, which can only be achieved when the magnificent, vital and deeply historical bones of a building are cared for by Champalimaud Designs, founded by Anthony’s mom, Alexandra, the force behind some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, including Raffles Singapore, Hotel Bel-Air The Emory Theatre in London, Los Angeles and Los Angeles.

After opening TroutbeckThe definitive estate hotel at Amenia, New York. Champalimaud Fils had a conviction that Litchfield the town, and Litchfield the county, lacked a hotel that properly honored its significance—architectural, cultural, and otherwise. The fact that he lives five doors away from Belden House, where he lives full-time, gave him an intuitive understanding of what the hotel should be.  He says that it is also helpful to have a newcomer’s perspective of this area of the world. “With new eyes, we are able to clearly see the exceptional qualities and attributes of this community and its surroundings, not the least of which, the natural beauty in Litchfield County. We were confident that we had the unique skills to tackle this challenge.

Litchfield is the quintessential British village. New England townThe area is full of beautiful homes under the shade of Constitution oaks. It was here that the nation’s first female academy and law school were founded. The abolitionist writer of Uncle Tom’s CabinHarriet Beecher Stowe grew up in North Street, with her fiery minister father, Lyman Beecher. This weighty legacy was enriched by modernist architects Marcel Breuer and Richard Neutra in the 20th century. Eliot Noyes also contributed to this rich heritage, creating glass-walled masterpieces throughout Litchfield.

Belden House, with its refined sense of play and color, embodies these two distinct American identities. Dr. Charles O. Belden constructed the handsome mansion in white Victorian/Colonial style with a large, pillared entranceway, in 1888. In 1959, a low-slung mews from the mid-century was built behind the main building. The two houses both have guest bedrooms that are characterized by the warm yet cool Champalimaud-style, which combines patterns, colors, shapes, and fabrics to create a look that is glamorous but unpretentious. The living room is a wonder of pink, gold, new and old. Accented by chic green-patterned banquettes with original butter yellow tiles, it’s a marvel.

Belden House & Mews offers a masterclass on balance. This is how you can preserve the soul and structure of a location within its historical and physical context, but elevate it to a different time. The building is not noticeable from the street. It blends in with the other grand houses on North Street. The common areas were clearly designed with socializing in 19th century.

In these rooms, as elsewhere, is evidence of the teams’ reverence for original fixtures, décor, and craftsmanship. The woodwork, windows, moldings sconces chandeliers, floors, sconces, sconces, and floors are still intact but have had their stories retold. As you enter the lobby, one of these treasures is visible. On the fireplace, a quote is etched in stone. Macbeth The message of Shakespeare is still as relevant today as it was in 1888. Shakespeare’s message has not changed since 1888. Belden House is a country house that uses the past to tell a story. It’s essentially redefining the standard of upscale, contemporary hotels.

Here is my review of Belden House & Mews.

The Rooms

Ten of the rooms and suites are located within the main home, accessible by two separate carpeted stairways, which is typical for Victorian homes. I spent an hour photographing the delectable details of my 2,100 square-foot penthouse suite with three bedrooms. In the living room, velvet sofas with warm pink and blue frames a patinated leather gymnastics bench which doubles as a table. The outdoors is brought inside through the windows over the cushioned nooks, and a balcony. The bathroom is marble and tiled and has a huge shower and soaking bathtub. The Marcel Breuer chairs that surround the table pay homage to modernism and the Yellow Ware mixing dishes to vintage New England.

All rooms exemplify easy elegance, and seem to prioritize comfort—not informality per se, but clean lines, plush carpets underfoot, and cozy easy chairs. The design team preserved the history and essence of the buildings through tiny, often indiscernible details. For instance, some wallcoverings are made from patterns copied from remnants of fabric found during renovation.

Ian Ingersoll is a Litchfield County-based woodworker who has made most of the hotel beds. The Frette linens are used to cover the mattresses. The 21 Mews rooms and suites, with an average of 430 square feet, feature these sleek creations that evoke traditional design. The modernist style is evident in the palette of pale, pleasing colors, and the Vitsoe-style built-ins. These rooms are accessed via terraced gardens and have a calmness that is as quiet as a woodland.

Food and Drink

Tyler Heckman returned to Connecticut from New York City where he had spent 10 years working in restaurants such as Farris, Chelsea Hotel Villanelle and others. He describes it as “light, accessible, but hopefully make you wonder about the ingredients.”

After my superb dinner entrée of beef sliced from the short rib and grilled slow, hot, and smokelessly over Japanese charcoal, my salad had refreshing flavors I could not identify. Heckman’s answer: palm sugar, lime zest and juice, Thai chili, and fish sauce – inspired by a Vietnamese nộm. Dessert was bee pollen ice cream with Earl Gray oil. It was so delicious, I stole some bites from my husband.

Belden House’s original, bright dining room serves meals on tables with pink tops. The dining room is small, but intimate. It has a sense of elegance, without being stuffy. I piled house-made jam and butter on thick slices of sourdough bread for breakfast. His chewy, sweet lobster roll was a great lunch. It reminded me of the New England coast.

The bar’s sexy, green color screams “cocktail,” but it’s also easy to relax with the One Sip Martini served in an elegant coupe. This corner of my hotel brought me back to an elegant European hotel. On display were bottles of Chinotto Bitter Bianco Sicilian Amara and others. Italian Food and Beverage manager Michele Alfonso, who is also a master mixologist, poured me a fingerful of Caffé Ligure, a coffee-flavored liqueur from Taranto, and it was divine.

Activities and Experiences

The spa has gardens, a court and a 50-foot heated swimming pool that is flanked with arbor vitae. The spa has a small gym, but it is fully equipped with a Pilates reformer. Private instruction is also available. Belden House is located in the heart of town, just steps from its history and center. Litchfield has a New England feel with great restaurants and a variety of shops. Some highlights: estate jewelry at Lawrence Jeffrey; Scottish cashmere at R. DerwinThe gorgeous hair salon Byrde & the B Milton Market, where you are able to take home an Dumais Made ceramic light.

The Spa

Bathhouse is a magical place that sparkles in newness. The space is enlivened by the warm brown tiles and stone flooring, as well as the blonde wood cabinets. The wet rooms consists a deep-blue tiled steam room and sauna. Ofuru Hydrotherapy tub. The complex’s entire underground area is infused by the fragrance of Wildsmith body and face products, which are free from animal testing. My 120-minute Thermal experience treatment was designed for me to switch between temperatures, while detoxifying my skin, renewing it, and stimulating the circulation. Agnieszka was very accommodating to my needs. I am not a fan of cold plunges so, after the body scrub, i soaked in a tub and had a wonderful massage.

Offers Family Friendly

Belden House accepts children 12 years and older. It’s not a resort that is geared toward children, but the proximity to Litchfield downtown, the pool and the three-acre property will give them plenty to do.

Accessibility 

The main house has two guestrooms that are ADA accessible.

Location

Belden House, located in Hartford’s Bradley Airport, is two hours away from New York City. Litchfield, the town at the crossroads in northwest Connecticut, is awash with beautiful forested views, flowering meadows and rivers that can be paddled. This part of New England has many hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail. Many preserves offer wildlife encounters and contemplative moments. Ripley Waterfowl ConservancyOrchards like these March Farm Bethlehem is a great place to pick apples and blueberries. Thornhill Farm and Milkhouse There is a dairy down the road that makes excellent chocolate. White Memorial is a protected wilderness that covers 4,000 acres, the majority of which are in Litchfield. Uber does not work well on the back roads of Litchfield County.

The Best Value for Your Stay

Belden House is a hotel that operates independently and does not participate in any loyalty programs. The nightly rate at Belden House starts at $500.

Each T+L Hotel Review is written by a reporter or editor who has visited the hotel. The hotel chosen must also align with our standards. core values.