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Woodstock/Quechee When we first saw the Charleston House, it was festooned for Christmas, inside and out, and looked like a spread for House Beautiful. But the red brick 1835 Greek revival townhouse is gorgeous at any time of year. Named for the hometown of the original innkeeper, it remains the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality under owners Dixi and Willa Nohl. They spent a weekend here in 1997, learned the place was for sale and started the purchase process on the spot. "It was serendipitous," said retiring owners Bill and Barbara Hough, ready to rest after eleven years. Dixi had been general manager of Burke Mountain ski area and Mad River Glen, and grew up in the lodging business in St. Anton in his native Austria. He and his wife wanted to stay in Vermont but distance themselves a bit from the skiing world. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, their new home is elegantly furnished with period antiques and an extensive selection of art and oriental rugs. A substantial recent addition – nicely secluded in back – contains three deluxe guest rooms with queen beds, jetted tubs, fireplaces, TVs and porches. Two on the ground floor are named for nearby Mount Peg and Mount Tom. The premium upstairs guest room was converted from the former innkeepers’ quarters. The Nohls named it B and B, for Barbara and Bill Hough. The former kitchen became an extra-large bathroom and the sitting area has a sofa and fireplace. The porch, backing up against a wooded area, is "like being in a tree house," says Willa. Another favorite room is the Summer Kitchen, downstairs between the original house and the new addition. It is cozy and romantic with four-poster queen bed, TV and two wing chairs angled beside the fireplace. Five guest rooms upstairs in the main house have queen beds, except for one with twins. Stunning floral arrangements and lovely needlepoint pillows adorn the dining room and the comfortable living room. The breakfasts by candlelight here are such an attraction that the former owners put together a cookbook of recipes, called Breakfast at Charleston House. Willa continues to serve some of the favorites along with her own. Among specialties are puffed pancakes filled with fruit;" a cheese and grits soufflé, macadamia-nut waffles with papaya and strawberries, and Charleston strata, an egg dish with sausage and apples. At our latest visit, the main dish was pancakes – so "light and mouthwatering," according to a lady guest, "that where ordinarily I would have one I ended up having three." A tea aficionado, she was impressed with the Nohls’ collection of teas – "some that I hadn’t even heard of." Such are the special touches of new and hospitable innkeepers who have found their niche.
(802) 457-3843 or (888) 475-3800. E-mail: nohl@together.net For more information: www.charlestonhouse.com. Nine rooms with private baths. Doubles, $110 to $225; foliage, $120 to $225. Two-night minimum weekends and during foliage. Children over 10.
Material excerpted from Inn Spots & Special Places in New England, by Nancy and Richard Woodworth. Copyright 2004. Wood Pond Press E-mail feedback to: Home
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