A Hasty, Cozy Retreat

Shut down your computer, turn off your cell phone and slip off your shoes. These hideaways can help you escape your hectic everyday life.

By Erin Byers

Your desk is a landfill of paper. You check e-mail messages, quickly shoot a few replies, open a Web site, grab the ringing phone, jot down some notes, rifle through files, ignore a beeping cell phone and then, click: You've got more mail. Forget the mail, you're late for a meeting.

Thankfully, life comes equipped with a pause button, so use it. Escape to a place where BlackBerrys don't beep incessantly, they're baked into pies. Find a bed-and-breakfast deep in the woods and snuggle up to the fire. Walk mile after mile of cool Atlantic beach without seeing another soul. Or simply curl up and enjoy a hearty breakfast in bed.

Western Massachusetts

Gateways Inn

Surrounded by the tranquil Berkshires, Lenox is “one of the most important cultural centers in the Northeast,” says Innkeeper Fabrizio Chiariello. “There's no distraction of excessive traffic, and it's a small town with only 5,600 people.” Nature lovers adore this Western Massachusetts escape for its incomparable accessibility to so many outdoor sanctuaries. Get lost in one of the state parks or rejuvenate during an early-morning kayak session. Then come back to the Gateways Inn for a light meal at the new La Terraza restaurant, or cozy up in the relaxing lounge area with a good book and not a care in the world.

Hotel Northampton

This stately hotel in downtown Northampton exudes old-fashioned elegance, from the white trimmed brick walls to the extensive collection of homey antiques. Though completely modernized with wireless Internet and exercise facilities, the 99-room hotel's refined décor and storied wall hangings comfort you with Old World style and hospitality. Ponder the hotel's rich 77-year history while nibbling on sandwiches at the Coolidge Park Café or, as the first guests surely did, convene by one of the fireplaces at Wiggins Tavern for cocktails and quiet conversation.

Central Massachusetts

Colonial Hotel by Clarion

Nestled between valleys and mountains and conveniently located a few miles from Wachusett Mountain and Mount Monadnock , the Colonial Hotel entices those looking for both adventure and serenity. By day, snow lovers can ski, hike and take in a music festival or snow-sport competition. Evening brings the weary back to the Gardner hotel's plush, cozy guest rooms. Take a power nap, then sample a few appetizers at the hotel's quaint Jack Russell's Pub. Try comfort foods such as lobster cakes over field greens or a grilled sirloin steak at the hotel's other restaurant, Abigail's.

North of Boston

Yankee Clipper Inn

“Rockport is just the place you want to come to relax and unwind,” says Yankee Clipper General Manager Chandra Contrino. Meander into town and dabble in the art galleries and shops or steal away for a scenic 10-minute drive to the seafaring town of Gloucester . Later, unwind by the fireplace with afternoon tea or outdoors under the gazebo. But remember to take a moment to savor your surroundings.

Hawthorne Inn

and North Bridge Inn

Cradled in a wooded sanctuary, Concord houses dozens of historical sites like Walden Pond and the Old North Bridge . Within a few blocks of each other, two small inns emulate the natural beauty and harmony of the town's picture-perfect surroundings. For anyone looking to explore the treasures of Concord 's past, Hawthorne Inn, named for author Nathaniel Hawthorne, cloaks its seven rich and decadent rooms in history. In Monument Square , amid the leisurely bustle of downtown, the North Bridge Inn has six newly renovated yet homey rooms that are bedecked in colorful prints, warm quilted comforters and classic, understated furniture.

Greater Boston

The Charles Street Inn

An unassuming 1860 townhouse, the Charles Street Inn swiftly wipes away unwanted urban distractions despite being at the center of Boston 's historic Beacon Hill . All nine rooms, named for famous Victorian Bostonians like Isabella Stewart Gardner, sport hand-picked antiques along with modern amenities like Bose Wave radio/CD players, air-jet whirlpools and mini refrigerators. Guests can enjoy a hearty in-room breakfast in their rooms before strolling a few blocks to the Charles River Esplanade or into the bustle of downtown Boston .

South of Boston

Clarion Nantasket Beach

Hotel & Conference Center

Still considered an undiscovered hideaway, Hull is home to this posh three-year-old seaside hotel. In-room luxuries (Jacuzzis and gas fireplaces) complement the hotel's communal extravagances (an indoor pool with retractable roof and the Ocean Fitness spa) for a pampering retreat. Sample oysters on the half shell at the hotel's raw bar or try traditional New England seafood at the hotel's oceanfront restaurant, Raffael's. You can also take time to recapture your youth by visiting Nantasket's historic boardwalk, which features the country's oldest carousel.

Pilgrim Sands Motel

Perched on a seawall over Plymouth 's Long Beach , the Pilgrim Sands is sandwiched between a harbor and a lighthouse, creating the perfect spot to watch the white-capped waves roll onto shore. Owned by the Harrington family for the past 35 years, the motel draws a laid-back, relaxed crowd. Guests can be seen casually grabbing the paper in their bathrobes or rearranging the furniture for an impromptu card game in the lobby. With its indoor pools and whirlpools, this charming beachside haven lures tired city dwellers all winter long.

Historic Jacob Hill Inn

Long before this award-winning bed-and-breakfast caught the attention of owners Bill and Eleonora Rezek, the restored 1720s barn was a private residence and later a hunt club. The inn sits upon several acres of serene farmland in Seekonk. Decked out with colorful antiques, many of the rooms have canopy beds covered in down comforters, stylish leopard-print touches and Jacuzzi tubs. And this past spring saw the addition of a new billiards room, complete with a plasma TV, for those who don't want to leave everything behind.

Cape and the Islands

Chatham Bars Inn

Nothing says serenity like Cape Cod 's outer banks. “You definitely feel as if you've gotten away from it all,” says Linda Kelleher, director of sales and marketing at the Chatham Bars Inn. The palatial resort, which sits on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic , combines luxurious cottage-suite accommodations with a state-of-the-art health and wellness spa to rebalance your chaotic life. Dine in one of four classic restaurants such as the newly added Chef's Table or the elegant Main Dining Room. To reconnect with the outdoors, take a naturalist-guided barrier beach walk or travel into the center of Chatham for a slice of old Cape Cod .

Roberts House Inn

Located on a cobblestone street, the Roberts House Inn captures the allure and simplicity of 1850s Nantucket . Dressed with period antiques, many of the bedrooms showcase warm, beachy colors and canopy beds with intricate lace. Renovated in 2003, the bed-and-breakfast is bordered by wooden porches and lush gardens to welcome visitors from around the island. Visit the Centre St. Bistro, located on the inn's property, where servings of Nantucket Bay scallops are a taste of pure New England .

Harbor View Hotel

“The one word that comes to mind,” says General Manager Dick McAuliffe, “is solitude.” Peacefully pass the days of winter on Martha's Vineyard at this late-1800s island resort where you can walk the beach for miles in the off-season without running into anyone. Rocking chairs and verandahs dot the hotel's main building, and sprawling ocean views grace most of the 130 guest rooms. Guests and locals gather nightly at the Carlos Fuente Club House for casual dining and drinks, or gaze over sleepy Edgartown Harbor at the more upscale Coach House dining room.