Greenwich Connecticut church

I’m a teacher and tutor part time, and during my geography lesson a couple of days ago, my student asked “Why is Greenwich Connecticut so expensive?”

Good question! I’ve actually never been there, but from what I hear and see, it’s a stunningly beautiful place with ginormous multi-million dollar mansions, manicured lawns and very expensive stores. So this got me to thinking – is Greenwich a place I might enjoy visiting? Is it a good place to bring families? And what about the hotels?

At least now, when I’m in the mood for a particularly posh weekend, I know where to go!

Sometimes it’s fun to see what I could afford if I manage to win the lottery someday. I hypothesized that, given the price of real estate in Greenwich, hotels there would be budget-busters as well. And as it turns out I was right! 

Hotels in Greenwich proper are beautiful and quite expensive, but you will be waited on hand and foot. After a little research, the first hotel that caught my eye was the magnificent Delamar Greenwich Harbor. Talk about posh! This place is a luxurious boutique hotel with 83 rooms located directly on the harbor. If you’re pinching pennies, book one of the cheapest rooms for $400 per night – you’ll get a view of the city, not of the harbor.

Really in the mood for splurging? How about the Belvedere Presidential Suite, for $1700! In all seriousness, though, if you can afford the luxury, the Delamar is absolutely top-notch. You are assinged a personal escort who will show you to your room, there’s a gorgeous spa and you can even park your yacht out front – so long as it’s less than 160 feet long.

Old Greenwich Connecticut Beach

Looking for slightly more modest accommodations? (Me too!) The Stanton House Inn is a charming, 100-year old house that has 21 individually decorated rooms and suites, all of which are full of character. Rates are $159-$259, and while you won’t be gushed over like at the Delamar, the staff is warm and friendly, the parking is free, and there’s an outdoor swimming pool that is perfect for the summer months. A complimentary breakfast is served either in your room or out on the lovely patio. This hotel is only a few minutes walk from the quaint shops in downtown Greenwich, too.

What if you’re looking for a hotel with more amenities than a smaller bed and breakfast, but you don’t want to completely empty your wallet? It looks like the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich could be a good compromise. I randomly picked some dates in April and was able to find a king bed room for about $150 per night, though some nights were more expensive than others. You do get a lot for your money, though – there’s a salon and spa, and indoor lap pool and jacuzzi, a well-equipped fitness center and a bar and restaurant on site. This Hyatt is definitely not a “budget” hotel, but for the area it appears to be a good value.

Photo Credits: Bengt 1955, Maxintosh