Here's another vote for Mark Twain's house.
You should consider eating at Rein's New York Style Deli in Vernon, CT. It's up route 84 about 10 minutes from downtown. Great deli food, their bagels and bialy's are excellent. Good prices too.
www.reinsdeli.com
Princess674, the Homewood Suites in Windsor Locks is quite nice. If you have any status with Hilton, they'll usually upgrade you to a fireplace suite. It's not in the city, but it's only about 10-15 minutes by car. The hotel is VERY nice.
The Hilton Garden Inn in Windsor is also outside the city but about 5 minutes closer to the city than the Homewood Suites. It is also a nice hotel and breakfast is quite good there. It would be another good choice, but I think the Homewood Suites is better. The HGI is quite good too; I just think the HS is even better.