 The Hotel
Chesterfield located in Shippan Point Peninsula, the affluent
shoreline community of Stamford,
Connecticut, is a tiny
architectural gem with 9 sumptuously appointed guestrooms. Built in
1863, the
elegant Victorian mansion has been lovingly restored and provides
gracious
hospitality to its guests along with water views of Long Island Sound.
Located
a mere 45 minutes from New York City,
the hotel is perfect for leisure as well as business travelers.
The historic hotel is located on an attractive tree-lined
residential street and is situated on a large property with gracious gardens
bordered by an intricate wrought iron fence, and its wraparound verandah
beckons invitingly in any season with white wicker rockers accented with green
cushions.
Inviting Wicker Rockers
Edward and I stayed at The Hotel Chesterfield in late
February 2010, where from the moment that we entered, I immediately noted the
fine details that went into the restoration of this beautiful property. The
ambience is one of gracious hospitality and the rooms are richly furnished
without being stuffy or overdone. Original paintings adorn the walls, the crystal chandeliers
sparkle, and a gorgeous orchid graced a wood table in the foyer.
There are two parlors, each with its own distinct style; the
parlor to the left of the foyer is feminine in feel with pale lemon walls,
crystal chandeliers, and pretty floral print armless chairs that flank a glass
coffee table accessorized with a selection of interesting books in front of the
fireplace. A gold framed painting of a lighthouse graces a wall over the mantel
accessorized with objet d'art, two leather chairs flank a round wood table with
a miniature potted palm tree in
front of a bay window that invites tête-à-têtes. Eclectic art draws the eye, and a drinks cart
with a cocktail shaker and a selection of sparkling glassware inspire the
imagination.
Parlor
Just beyond the left parlor is the formal dining room, which
has vibrant contemporary paintings that add dramatic visual
appeal to the room with its sparkling crystal chandelier, dark hued walls,
white wainscoting and picture frame molding, and dining table with eight ivory
upholstered chairs.
Formal Dining Room
The parlor to the right is decidedly masculine in feel with
deep navy striped wallpaper and clubby dark leather chairs and coffee table in
front of the fireplace where a flat screen television is mounted over the mantle. Two wood and dark leather chairs placed on either side of a square table in front of a bay window
invite a game of cards or perhaps a game of chess. The art is appealing, as well as the many interesting objects
including a telescope placed on strategically stacked vintage luggage in front
of a bay window.
Parlor
The breakfast dining room is enchanting with three walls of
windows overlooking Long Island Sound, and the gardens, which during our visit
were sleeping under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. A large gold framed oil
painting was the focal point on a deep plum wall, and elegantly delicate wood
chairs flank the tables formally dressed with pristine white linens and accessorized
with roses in low rectangular glass vases.
Breakfast Dining Room
The complimentary breakfast buffet displayed on a long wood
sideboard held an inviting selection of cold cereals, bagels, croissants, and
breads for toasting, an assortment of muffins and pastries, fresh fruit, as
well as juices, coffee, and tea. However, it was the Belgian waffle maker where
we could make our own waffles that tempted our palates, as the opportunity to
have light and fluffy Belgian waffles could not be resisted.
 
Complimentary Breakfast with Belgian Waffles
Each of the 9 guestrooms located on the second and third
floor of the hotel are uniquely furnished and named for the families of
historic Shippan Point. We stayed in room number 4, named for the Gillespie
family, which was a spacious room with a high ceiling and rich plum walls
dramatic against the pristine white molding.
The well-appointed room featured a king bed with a high
fabric and wood headboard with tall posts dressed with a white duvet and a
selection of pillows. Wood bedside tables held tall brass lamps with cream
shades, a reproduction telephone, a Timex CD Radio Alarm system, and a vintage
decanter with a water glass and two bottles of water. The art was eclectic with
an original oil painting in a gold frame, along with two framed Le Vins de
Bourgogne, and a historic print of Shippan Point.
Gillespie Guestroom
There was a lovely sitting area with two gold print
upholstered club chairs that flanked a round wood table with a brass lamp and a
cream shade, and accessorized with a crystal tray, in front of the bay window
framed with earth tone floral print tapestry window treatments. A large wood framed
mirror hung over a long chest of wood drawers where a tray with a coffeemaker
and a selection of complimentary coffees and teas that invited guests to relax
with a hot beverage.
Gillespie Guestroom Sitting Area
A heavy dark chocolate leather chair flanked an intricate
wood desk with inlaid leather top accessorized with a brass lamp, vintage
telephone, and a globe, in front of a window opposite the bed, that was not
only large enough to work, but also provided balance to the room.
Gillespie Guestroom Intricate Wood Desk
On the same wall as the desk, there was a tall wood bookcase
with a LG 42-inch flat screen television, DVD player, as well as a selection of
interesting books, a model wood boat, and an inlaid backgammon and chess set
that inspired us to play a game of backgammon.
Backgammon Anyone?
The bathroom featured hunter green wallpaper, a classic
white and black tile floor, a combination tub with period hardware and a
rainfall shower, toilet, a pedestal sink with a selection of Gilchrist &
Soames toiletries, and luxuriously plush towels. Robes, a safe, and iron and
ironing board in the closet completed the in-room amenities.
The hotel has rich architectural details throughout
including stained glass windows, intricately patterned radiators, gleaming
brass original hardware, and historic photographs of Shippan Point including
the bygone Shippan Trolley that grace the second floor and provide insight into
the area.
  
Architectural Details
The Hotel Chesterfield continues its luxury amenities with
complimentary wine and cheese in the evening, complimentary wireless Internet,
complimentary newspapers delivered to the rooms, a massage treatment room,
small Fitness room with state of the art equipment, yoga classes, and
complimentary shuttle service to downtown Stamford
as well as to the rail station.
Wine and Cheese
Located a short stroll from private beaches, public parks,
and the Stamford Yacht Club founded in 1890, The Hotel Chesterfield is perfect
for guests who want to experience a relaxing suburban oasis yet have the
convenience of being only 45 minutes from New York City making it the perfect
choice for leisure as well as business travelers.
The Hotel Chesterfield
 The Hotel Chesterfield
1404
Shippan Avenue
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
United States
Telephone: +1-203-978-1227
Fax: +1-203-978-5224
Website: www.TheHotelChesterfield.com
Read other articles on Stamford,
Connecticut and the surrounding
area in the Destinations, Hotels
and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes, and Arts
sections.
© March 2010. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights
reserved.
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