4 Best Hotels in Side Trips from Boston, Massachusetts

Just a minute's walk from both the center of Rockport and the train station, this 1851 inn sits in a prime location. The sizable and beautifully decorated rooms have their share of antiques and local seascape paintings, as well as pine floors and large, private marble bathrooms; the large Dog Watch suite contains a luxe king bed, Oriental rugs, and has a comfortable seating area. In the third-floor suite, with its own entrance, huge windows look out over the rooftops to the sea. In the afternoon, sweet treats are set out for guests. Children age 12 and older are welcome.

Near the end of Bearskin Neck, this small brick-and-shingle motel offers guests the best of both worlds: beautiful, oceanfront rooms, as well as easy access to shopping and restaurants. The rooms are simply appointed and furnished with comfortable wooden furniture and white chenille bedspreads. At night, you can go to sleep listening to the waves, and, during the day, you can walk just five minutes to Front Beach, or sun yourself on the motel's large deck. Complimentary services include Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, coffee and tea in the main office, and parking. In high season, there may be minimum-stay requirements.

An elegant retreat overlooking the ocean, this beautifully restored historic property where, yes, Ralph Waldo Emerson once stayed, dates back 150 years. Well-appointed rooms (make sure to request an ocean front room) are comfortable with luxurious bedding and amenities. The '20s themed lounge will make you want to dress up and order a fancy drink, while breakfast on the expansive porch will have you linger over coffee. Don't skip the walking path outside the inn along the Atlantic.

The 11-room Merchant is an intimate, design-forward Lark Hotel property in the heart of Salem's historic district. Just blocks from the Salem Harbor, the Merchant piles on the amenities, like the complimentary grab-and-go breakfast; free coffee, water, fruits, and snacks all day in the lobby; and great discounts at local shops and attractions. Rooms have everything from Apple TV and gas fireplaces to waffle kimono robes. Reserve the George Washington King Deluxe room; it's the same room where the newly elected president slept during his visit to Salem in 1789.