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Woodstock/Quechee We didn’t think a B&B could get much better than this three-story Victorian house on four acres of beautiful grounds west of the village. But subsequent owners had other plans. Juan and Gloria Florin, former Argentineans by way of Connecticut, turned it in 1997 into a true inn – adding four luxury suites, an acclaimed restaurant open to the public, and an enhanced level of service. They left in 2000 so Juan could teach business management courses in Rhode Island. New owner Carl Delnegro, who had his own consulting business in New York, and his wife Linda moved into the innkeepers’ quarters from their home in nearby Plymouth. They continued to upgrade, adding Charles Shackleton bar stools in the lounge and hand-woven throws in the rooms. Many of the nine guest rooms and two suites in the original inn are worthy of coverage in antiques and decorator magazines. Each is different and eclectically furnished with such things as antique brass lamps on either side of the bathroom mirror, a marble-topped bedside table, an 1860 sleigh bed, an 1840 English mahogany pedestal desk, a prized Casablanca ceiling fan, Chinese carved rugs, handmade afghans coordinated to each room's colors, bamboo and cane furniture, a blanket box made of tiger maple, an antique three-drawer sideboard with its faded original green paint and much more. Room decor varies from French Empire to British Oriental to old New England. Each bathroom has a glassed-in shower and a hair dryer. Most choice are two third-floor beauties, considered suites because they’re about twice the size of most other rooms. Both have queensize cherry sleigh beds, gas fireplaces, Italian marble baths and french doors onto a rear deck overlooking an English garden. We found plenty of room in the Francesca suite to spread out on an upholstered sofa, a wing chair and, on the deck beyond, two lounge chairs. The mirrored bathroom was so sparkling it looked as if we were the first ever to use it. Upon our return from dinner, a couple of Godiva chocolates were on our pillows. Lately in demand are the four large one-room suites in a new wing off the east side of the inn. These have sitting areas, gas fireplaces and modern bathrooms with cherry floors, whirlpool or massage therapy jetted tubs, separate showers and towel warmers. At our most recent stay in Clara’s Corner, the queensize Sheraton poster bed was topped with red and gold Anichini fabrics and a sheeted duvet. Antique pots and vases graced the shelves, and an array of antique pillboxes topped a lace doily on a side table. There were fresh flowers, assorted fruits for nibbling and replacement towels at turndown. The staff even produced a new toothbrush for the one that had been forgotten. Guests gather in the elegant parlor and intimate library for complimentary champagne and wine and an elaborate buffet of hors d'oeuvres before dinner. And we mean elaborate. One occasion produced California rolls, curried grilled chicken with diced green apple on a chickpea flour crisp and prosciutto-wrapped black mission figs. The latest yielded a remarkable seared salmon and frisée salad atop a wafer, alsatian-style onion tarts, and phyllo-wrapped brandade and root vegetable mash. The treats continue in the morning. The buffet might be laden with homemade granola, spiced pear yogurt, fruit compote with peach schnapps, and an array of sliced fruit, from pineapple to kiwi to cantaloupe. Juices, scones, croissants and muffins come next. The main course in one case was a scrambled egg and country sausage tart with goat cheese. Others could be ricotta pancakes, brioche french toast or – one we’ll never forget – poached eggs on dill biscuits with poached salmon and hollandaise sauce. After all this, settle into a deep wing chair in the library or retire to a lounge chair around the pond in the remarkably landscaped back yard for a morning nap. Or work it off in a small spa located on the lower level. It includes exercise equipment and a steam room. (802) 457-2065 or (800) 448-1890. Fax (802) 457-9290. E-mail: innkeepers@jacksonhouse.com For more information: www.jacksonhouse.com Nine rooms and six suites with private baths. Doubles, $195 to $260. Suites, $290 to $390. Children over 14. 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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