Salt Hotels and Lexington Partners have announced the opening of The Abner, a boutique hotel in the heart of Litchfield, Connecticut. 

The hotel finds home in the former Litchfield County Courthouse, which has been transformed to blend historic charm with modern luxury.

Designed by Salt Hotels’ co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Kevin O’Shea, The Abner comprises 20 guestrooms, a restaurant in the historic main courtroom, a seasonal rooftop bar, and meeting and social spaces.  

Interiors pay homage to the courthouse’s storied past, meticulously restored under O’Shea’s guidance. Original elements such as old judges’ benches and jury boxes have found new life as banquette seating in the restaurant and reception desks. The colour palette, inspired by vintage legal books discovered on-site, features rich ochre complemented by accents of black. Each guestroom showcases a hand-selected mix of custom, vintage and new furniture. 

“We are so excited to revitalise this important piece of historic architecture and to create a vibrant gathering place for Litchfield’s local community and our future guests,” says David Bowd, co-founder and Chief Executive of Salt Hotels. “The team we have put together, from our fantastic General Manager Theresa Callaghan to Chef Michael Alfeld, to the local team members who are new to the Salt family, are creating experiences that we hope will be truly memorable for all of our guests.” 

At the heart of The Abner lies The Courtroom, a culinary destination helmed by Chef Michael Alfeld, offering modern tavern fare with continental influences. Housed in the former main courtroom with soaring ceilings and large restored windows, the venue features a modern palette of warm whites and French greys alongside touches of black and marble. 

Unique event spaces include The Lock Up, a rustic stone-lined room that once housed courthouse jail cells, and The Clock Tower, a cosy space beneath the historic Seth Thomas clock. 

“We are thrilled to introduce The Abner to Litchfield County and beyond,” concludes O’Shea. “This project has been a labour of love, preserving the courthouse’s architectural heritage while creating a sophisticated retreat for modern travelers.”