Classic New England vibes are the order of the day at this quintessential Connecticut resort, located right on the shoreline of Long Island Sound. Opened in 2012, the four-story, grey-shingled Madison Beach Hotel occupies the footprint of a hotel that began as a boarding house serving shipbuilders in the 1800s before city people discovered the village of Madison’s seaside charms. Most of the hotel’s 34 spacious rooms have balconies looking out over the estuarial waters, and complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas are set up at the hotel’s small private beach. In summer especially, the sands buzz with movie nights, live music, and bonfires.