Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 56 MARCH 2019 CONTACT 101 Main St., Rowley, 978-653-5323, briarbarninn.com things were even drawn from the collection of her mother, visual artist Charlotte Forsythe, who is an investor. It's a lot more work than pushing a button and ordering 60 identical chairs (two for each of the 30 rooms in her new property), but Forsythe hopes the result will be a homey, luxe New England stay like no other. "I didn't want all antiques," Forsythe says, though a gorgeous antique does anchor each room. "at can be overwhelming. I want everything to feel luxurious and lovely." And it does. e inn is filled with thoughtful touches like fireplaces in every room, hospitality stations with complimentary coffee, baked goods, and infused water, and cozy nooks for playing a selection of board games that are available to borrow. While the hotel itself is a new build, with all the modern amenities from elevators to large bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs, the property was inten- tionally designed to feel more historic. Each wing has its own personality, as does each individual room, and an eye-catching central silo evokes Rowley's farming past. e property is a natural extension for For- sythe; for more than a decade she has owned and operated Willowdale Estate, the historic Topsfield event facility. But with a family back- ground in hotel operations—mom Charlotte and her husband, Gerald Fandetti, are owners of Mary Prentiss Inn and the Kendall Hotel, both in Cambridge—Forsythe and her Wil- lowdale team felt overnight accommodations were a missing link in their hospitality. "We execute our weddings in a certain way, but we couldn't take care of our clients for ac- commodations." says Melissa unberg, CEO of Bramble Hospitality Group, which owns both Willowdale and Briar Barn. While Briar Barn Inn was born of a desire to serve guests at Willowdale events and weddings, the hotel's appeal goes far beyond that. An on-site restaurant, slated to open this spring and housed inside a soaring post-and- beam barn crafted by Vermont Timber Works, will be open to the community for three casual chef-driven meals daily, and the outdoor pool will surely attract families wanting to explore Rowley's many summertime charms, from access to Crane Beach and Plum Island to walking trails and historic homes. "is area is absolutely beautiful," says unberg. "When you draw a circle around Rowley, it's amazing what the area holds." Briar Barn Inn expects to help visitors uncover those attractions, with custom maps themed to area attractions. And the inn will offer com- plimentary rides to the Rowley train station for those who would like to go farther afield on day trips into Salem or Boston. But if guests are just looking to unwind, they will never have to leave the property. Frette bed linens, room service, and a mini- bar stocked with local craft beer encourage total relaxation, while an on-site spa will offer body treatments come this spring, and a comfortable back deck overlooks a pond that has been restored with native plantings. With four acres to roam, and the hospitality Willowdale is known for, it's hard to imagine a nicer place for a weekend retreat. The interior spaces have unique artwork and furnishings. Right, owner Briar Forsyth PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERICA FERRONE, LEFT AND MIDDLE, BY ELISE SINAGRA (RIGHT) L I V E + P L AY