Overworked husband and wife have just been given a week vacation by our company to get away...and are entertaining fall in New England...Am picturing a romantic, cozy, comfortable cottage/hotel/lodge?, very nice amenities, with a fireplace, space for reading and relaxing...best case scenario near the ocean, second best near a lake, that has a laid back, fun town with good restaraunts. Does a place like this exist??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Perfectly sized town, neither too small nor too large, plenty of B&Bs, and the coastline in this vicinity is spectacular!

The Charlotte Inn on Martha's Vinyard. I haven't been there for years, but from what I hear, it still meets your requirements.

My vote would be the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport Maine. Best Martini, dinner, view. Lovely walkable town.

Great suggestions above, but realize that the "hot" fall lodgings have been booked already.
My list would include Cape Elizabeth or Camden (Inn bythe Sea and Norumbega) and Kennebunkport (White Barn Inn, Captain Lord Mansion) in Maine, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard (Charlotte Inn is spectacular, but not right on the water), Lake Placid (mirror Lake Inn and Lake Placid Lodge), and even Woodstock VT (no water, but dripping with New England charm...Woodstock Inn).

Think about Newport, Rhode Island!

Yes! Try the Lawnmeer Inn just outside of Boothbay Harbor, Maine (www.lawnmeerinn.com) -- it is right on the water and just lovely, and also has a good dining room.
Alternatively, the towns of Camden, Maine or Bar Harbor, Maine have tons of great options and they are my two favorite towns in Maine -- both are picturesque with lovely scenery. Check out the website www.visit-maine.com for accommodations ideas.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions -- what a great site. We'll check these out and cross our fingers that we aren't too late in scheduling the trip.

-Best