The Abner Hotel
Historic courthouse conversion with a considered, design-forward touch. Saffron and ochre palettes, local ceramics by Dumais Made, and art curated by Bookstein Projects give it warmth without being precious. The vibe is grown-up small-town, not country-inn kitsch.
Book a Chamber Suite if budget allows — the former judge's chambers have restored fireplaces and original vaulted bathroom doors from the 1880s
Why It Matters
Named for the Rev. Abner Reeve — whose son Tapping founded America's first law school in Litchfield in 1772 — the property leans fully into its legal heritage. The former holding cells became a private event space called The Lock Up. Witness stands became the reception desk. Striped bathrobes are a wink at jail uniforms. Salt Hotels operated the transformation in partnership with Lexington Partners and the local historical society.
The Abner is a 20-room boutique hotel inside Litchfield's former county courthouse, a stone Colonial Revival building that dates to 1890. Salt Hotels — the Provincetown-based group behind properties in Nantucket, Charleston, and South Beach — spent four years and one pandemic converting it, and the results are sharp. The former main courtroom is now a restaurant with soaring ceilings and leather banquettes salvaged from the original jury box; the judge's chambers are the top-tier suites; and the rooftop bar sits above it all. No TVs, complimentary parking, and a proper chef-driven breakfast every morning.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Chamber Suite
The top-of-the-house option, set inside the historic former judge's chambers near the courthouse's original entrance. Ochre-hued interiors, a spacious seating area, dining table, and an oversized walk-in shower bathroom. Restored fireplaces and sash windows; check-tiled bathrooms fronted by vaulted doors dating to the 1880s. Minibar stocked with local products, Tivoli Bluetooth radio, Tensira African handcrafted robe, Further and Palermo Body bath amenities.
King · 39 sqm
Deluxe King
Generous space with soaring ceilings and signature linens. A proper sitting area with sofa or lounge chair, plus a dining table. Walk-in shower bathroom. Minibar with local goods, Tivoli Bluetooth radio, Further and Palermo Body products.
King · 32.5 sqmFamily Accessible Suite
The only ground-floor room, designed for accessibility. Exposed brick walls, lots of natural light, a king bed, and a sleeper sofa that converts to an additional sleeping area. The standout bathroom has both a clawfoot tub and a separate roll-in shower. Dining table for four, local minibar, Tivoli radio. Elevators also serve all three floors for guests with mobility needs.
King · 41.8 sqmSnug
The smallest and most affordable room — formerly a judge's chamber on the second floor. Don't let the footprint put you off: soaring ceilings and a lovely sitting nook make it feel more spacious than the numbers suggest. Perfect for solo travelers or anyone who just needs a smart base in town. Double bed, walk-in shower, local minibar, Tivoli radio.
Double · 13.9 sqmStandard King
Comfortably sized with the same soaring courthouse ceiling heights and distinct architectural character. Custom bedding, bistro table, and original artwork. Walk-in shower, local minibar, Tivoli radio. Size ranges 200–240 sq ft.
King · 20 sqmSuperior King
More space than the Standard King, with soaring ceilings and architectural character. Plush king bed, lounge chairs, and a bistro table for two. Walk-in shower. Size ranges 260–330 sq ft depending on specific room.
King · 28 sqmSuperior Queen
On the second floor of the historic courthouse, featuring soaring ceilings and oversized windows that flood the room with daylight. Plush queen bed with signature linens, sitting nook, and bistro table. Walk-in shower, local minibar, Tivoli radio.
Queen · 21.4 sqmThree Bedroom Family Suite
The largest configuration at the hotel. A Standard Room, Superior Room, and Deluxe Room connected through a private lock-off corridor — effectively an apartment-style retreat. The Deluxe Room serves as the anchor with the largest footprint and a generous seating area. Sleeps up to six. Ideal for extended families, friend groups, or multi-generational travel.
King · 79 sqmTwo Bedroom Family Suite
A Standard King and a Deluxe King connected via a private lock-off entry. Sleeps up to four, with two distinct sleeping rooms and a shared seating and dining area. Good for extended stays, groups, or guests who want privacy within a shared suite. Ideal for families not requiring accessibility features.
King · 51.1 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Yoga studio half a mile from the hotel. Hotel guests receive a 10% discount during their stay.
Family-run craft distillery at 569 Bantam Rd, Litchfield — about 10 minutes from the hotel. Small-batch bourbons, vodkas, and gins with a tasting room and tours.
A cozy private event space beneath the building's historic clock tower. Available for small dinners and private gatherings.
A rustic, stone-lined private event space in the former courthouse jail cells. Available for private dinners, meetings, or gatherings — rentable by the hour or by the day.
Seasonal rooftop bar with panoramic views of Litchfield's countryside and clock tower. Open April through summer, noon–10pm. 21+ policy enforced evenings.
Independent boutiques including Oliphant Designs and The Workshop line the hotel's own street. No car needed.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Elevators service all three floors, making the restaurant, bars, and guest rooms accessible for guests with limited mobility.
Every room has a table suitable for working.
Complimentary throughout the hotel.
Chef-driven, seasonally inspired complimentary breakfast served daily for all hotel guests at The Courtroom. No buffets — individual service from 8–10:30am.
African handcrafted robes from Tensira provided in every room.
Guest rooms are intentionally TV-free. The hotel's philosophy is to encourage relaxation and conversation.
Every room has a minibar stocked with locally sourced snacks and goods.
Tivoli Bluetooth radio and speaker in every room. Rooms are intentionally TV-free.
Sustainably sourced bath amenities from Further and Palermo Body in every room.
Dogs and cats welcome. Maximum two pets per room. $100 non-refundable fee per pet per stay — 50% donated to The Little Guild, a local no-kill shelter. Pets must be leashed outside the room and current on vaccinations.
Salt Hotels gift cards available via giftcards.salthotels.com.
One complimentary parking space per room in the town lot at the rear of the building.
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