Key Facts
OPENED: May 2016
ADDRESS: 19 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
RESERVATIONS: 860.395.2000
Description
Owned and operated by Saybrook Point – one of New England’s premier destinations, Tall Tales offers guests luxurious accommodations among the quaint charms and warm comforts of an historic coastal country inn. The picturesque shores of Long Island Sound and the inspiring heritage of Old Saybrook, Connecticut provide the soothing backdrop to this relaxing getaway on the Connecticut shoreline.
Surrounded by turn-of-the-century antiques and breathtaking views of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, Tall Tales invites travelers to bask in the rich traditions of the local area. Each room is uniquely themed after a remarkable individual in early American history, as well as a prominent figure in the community. Subtle design accents such as ornately sculpted lamps and finely textured walls provide an exquisite reminder of a bygone era. This completely refurbished Victorian-era home features six individually designed rooms, each with a private balcony, fireplace, European bedding, fine hand-woven linens, and original artwork by local artists. And as one of two exclusive guesthouses at Saybrook Point, Tall Tales affords travelers the luxury and comfort of casual fine dining and spa amenities at the main Inn.
Whether it’s a brief escape or an extended getaway, Tall Tales will make guests feel they’ve entered a new world of hospitality. It is the place where relaxation washes over guests and the chaos of everyday life fades away.
Accommodations
Tall Tales invites travelers to relax and unwind among the warmth and serenity of an exceptional Victorian-era home. Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, guests will bask in the splendor of timeless design and modern styles as each room creatively comes to life with a relaxed palette of fine textures and natural materials inspired by the rich history and traditions of coastal Connecticut and southern New England.
Rooms are uniquely themed after a remarkable individual or prominent figure in early American history and local lore. Subtle design accents such as ornately sculpted lamps and finely textured walls provide exquisite reminders of a bygone era. Simultaneously, bright contemporary colors such as reds, blues and yellows offer an optomistic feel for the future as natural light from four spectaular windows permeates thoughout the room. Other interior design elements in each room include all-natural wool and cotton fibers, as well as glass, white porcelain, onyk, alabaster, iron, hardwood, and dark bronze.
Among the six guestrooms, guests will enjoy a first floor living room and dining area with fireplace, where complimentary breakfast is served daily, and where guests may curl up with a favorite novel. Guests will also revisit classic board games such as chess, checkers and backgammon, as well as play traditional billiards games such as 8-ball, 9-ball or Straight Pool on second floor’s game lounge.
Additional amenities include onsite parking and stylishly furnished rooms with private balconies, complimentary wifi, iHome radios, European bedding, fine handwoven linens, handcrafted furniture, original artwork by local artists, flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, and coffee, espresso and cappuccino machines.
Guests also have complete access to the dining, spa and fitness club located at nearby main Inn at Saybrook Point.
Guestrooms
Located on the first floor, Adriaen Block’s room (#710) features a king bed with a large private balcony overlooking the picturesque Long Island Sound and historic Connnecticut River.
A Dutch trader and navigator who is best known for exploring between New Jersey and Massachusetts from 1611 to 1614, Adriaen Block is noted for having named Block Island, Rhode Island, and establishing early trade with the Native Americans.
Also on the first floor, Lion Gardiner’s room (#711) provides a soothing air bath hydrotherapy tub with air jets that create a luxurious bathing experience to stimulate the release of muscle tension and center the mind and soul. The guestroom also features a king bed with a private balcony overlooking the pristine South Cove and its amazing sunrises and sunsets.
An English settler and soldier in the New World, Lion Gardiner founded the first English settlement in what became the state of New York on Long Island. His legacy includes Gardiners Island, which is held by his descendants.
Moving up to the second floor, Maria Sandford’s room (#720) features two queen beds with a large private balcony overlooking the picturesque Long Island Sound and historic Connecticut River.
Maria Sanford was born in Saybrook, Connecticut. At the age of 16 she was already teaching in county day schools. She rose in the ranks of local and national educators, becoming principal and superintendent of schools in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was one of the first women named to a college professorship.
Barbara Maynard’s room (#721), also located on the second floor, features a king bed with an intimate private balcony overlooking the pristine South Cove and its amazing sunrises and sunsets. This unique one-bedroom suite opens with a cozy living room that offers a pullout sofa adjacent to a warm fireplace and two colorful armchairs.
Often called the “Town Mother” of Old Saybrook, Barbara Maynard served as Registrar Of Voters for 14 years, and then as First Selectwoman for 16 more. She is still active in local activities, and her contagious enthusiasm and talent for consensus-building laid the foundation for the town’s future, while preserving its rich history.
General William Hart’s room (#730) located on the third floor features a king bed with a two private balconies overlooking the picturesque Long Island Sound and historic Connecticut River, as well as the pristine South Cove and its amazing sunrises and sunsets. In addition, the guestroom offers a soothing air bath hydrotherapy tub with air jets that create a luxurious bathing experience to stimulate the release of muscle tension and help center the mind and soul.
William Hart was a prosperous merchant engaged in the West Indies trade. Hart and his brothers armed their merchant ships and served this country against the British. The Harts were noted for entertaining frequently and quite lavishly. General Hart’s home was typical of the residences of the well-to-do New England settlers.
Among the most remarkable women and prominent individuals of Old Saybrook, Lady Alice Fenwick and her husband George Fenwick were among the first to settle in Saybrook. She was the wife of the first Governor of the Saybrook County, and was described as a graceful and cheerful woman who enjoyed collecting flowers and fruit.
Lady Fenwick’s creatively stylized room (#731) features a king bed with a large private balcony overlooking the pristine estuary of South Cove and its amazing sunrises and sunsets. This unique junior suite on the third floor also offers a soothing air bath hydrotherapy tub with air jets that create a luxurious bathing experience to stimulate the release of muscle tension and help center the mind and soul. In addition, it includes two Asian-inspired table lamps and coffee tables adding an international feel to the guest experience.
Other Information
INNKEEPER: Stephen Tagliatela
ARCHITECT: East Wharf Architects, Madison, Connecticut
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Silver Contract Interiors, Stamford, Connecticut
BUILDER: Franklin Construction, New Haven, Connecticut
Media Contact
Candace Engdall, Director of Marketing Communications
