The Perfect Wedding and Romantic Get-Away Destination in Rural Vermont-The
Inn at Weston
By Norm Goldman
 Given
the fact that the Inn at Weston located in Weston, Vermont has continuously
received rave reviews from such publications as The Discerning Traveler, Trip
Advisor, The New York Times, The Boston Globe as well as its many guests, you
know you're not taking a big chance either as a romantic getaway or a wedding
destination. Nonetheless, we were still pleasantly surprised to discover just
how tasteful and romantic, sophisticated yet accessible is the Inn at Weston.
The Inn's delightful owners, Bob and Linda Aldrich, who are
real pros when it comes to hospitality, originally are from New Jersey, where
Bob had been a cardiologist and Linda a nurse. After devoting several years of
their lives to health care, they both confessed to me that medicine had become
very ugly-too may lawyers, HMOs, CEOs, who were more interested in the bottom
line rather than providing compassionate care to patients. And since they were
B&B enthusiasts since the 1970s, they decided to pursue their dream of one day
becoming innkeepers. In fact, several years before they actually purchased the
Inn at Weston, they enrolled in a course with Oates and Bredfelt- a consulting
firm offering seminars in how to purchase and operate a bed & breakfast or
country inn.
Finally, in 2001 they took the plunge and left their
respective professions. After they checked out nine inns in fours days, they
came across The Inn at Weston. At the time it was not for sale, however, as they
drove up to the inn's parking lot trying to decide which one would knock on the
door, the owner suddenly appeared and asked if he could be of any help and the
rest is now history.
When I posed the question if they missed practicing
medicine, they both remarked that they did, however being an innkeeper is akin
to medicine-guests come to the inn stressed and leave relaxed-because of the
bucolic environment not Valium!
Perfect Wedding Destination
From our perspective, the Inn at Weston's greatest treasure
is its magnificent grounds, the scene of, as we were informed, of many nuptials
and afternoon summer naps. This was quite apparent when we stepped onto the deck
of our balcony to our room located in the Carriage House and noticed the inn's
stunning back lawn with its romantic gazebo and outdoor deck.
As we meandered about we noticed how the grounds were truly
a work of art with its abundance of leafy greenery and wildflowers stretching as
far as the eye can see against the backdrop of the Green Mountains of Vermont.
The Aldrich's mentioned to us that there is no problem in fitting 175 guests
into the garden area in an appropriate tent or if you prefer having an indoor
wedding, the dinning room nicely accommodates 60.
Insofar as the inn's accommodations fret not, there isn't a
bad guest room in the house. All thirteen are difficult to leave once you settle
in with their comfortable at home feeling that includes air conditioning,
telephones, private bathrooms, luxurious plush linens and Ralph Lauren
comforters, European toiletries, fresh flowers, Lindt chocolate truffles and
Saratoga Sparkling Water. Some of the more luxurious rooms come with Jacuzzis
and fireplaces. And every morning guests are treated in the dinning room to a
breakfast that is served with aplomb that includes fruit, home made granola and
even oatmeal, as we had requested, muffins, a starch or egg dish.
Moreover, what makes the Inn at Weston a perfect wedding
destination is that the Aldrich's are able to provide turnkey wedding packages.
Bob offers his excellent photography services (trust me on this one, I noticed
some of his exquisite photographs on the walls of the inn) and Linda, her
efficient wedding coordinating services pertaining to floral arrangements,
music, hairdressers, who will come to the inn, an officiating officer or if you
prefer you can solemnize your marriage in one of two beautiful and historic
non-denominational churches that are very close by, the Church on the Hill and
the Old Parish Church.
The Inn at Weston also has its own in-house chef providing
a wide range of options. Incidentally, in the past the inn has been the
recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award as well receiving several
positive compliments from various publications as to the impeccability of the
inn's cuisine.
Keeping Your Guests Occupied
 No
one can complain about the lack of leisure options in the Weston area as there
are so many. For starters, it didn't take us long to discover the inn's green
house located a few feet from our room. The Inn at Weston is probably one of the
few places that can boast of having its own green house where it grows one of
the largest collections of orchids in the northeastern part of the USA. Bob is
always eager to discuss orchid growing and once you get him going he will tell
you about his collection of over 600 plants consisting of unique species,
hybrids, and mericlones.
We noticed that some of the plants were quite huge while
others miniature. Some were potted others mounted on bark, tree fern or tree
branches simulating the manner in which they grow and thrive in nature. As a
unique touch, the Aldrich's try to put an orchid in each room-something to
remember the inn. They also place the orchids in the common areas and dinning
room. If you are wondering about weddings in the green house, Linda mentioned
that they did have a small wedding in the green house-something quite unique!
Now, although the Town of Weston may appear as an
insignificant speck on a map of Vermont, in fact, nothing could be further from
the truth. The town boasts some very attractive restored buildings, particularly
surrounding its leafy oval Town Green. You have the Weston Playhouse that
rightfully advertises itself as hosting world-class theater in the heart of
Vermont. The origins of its first professional production dates back to 1937 and
unfortunately the original theater succumbed to a fire in 1962. However, in 1963
the theater was once again resurrected with its Greek Revival façade fully
restored.
Then there is The Farrar-Mansur House with its adjacent
mill. The House was built by Oliver Farrar in 1797 serving as both a home and
tavern. Both museums are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and
they contain quite a collection of furniture, items made of brass, copper,
silver and tin, American paintings, clocks, pre-industrial and cooking
artifacts. The mill adjacent to the House was initially a sawmill providing
structural components for many of Weston's homes. Later it became a grist mill
and in the 19th century it was one of many mills producing a huge assortment of
household items, farm tools and lumber.
 Don't
forget to check out the Vermont Country Store where people line up early in the
morning before the doors even open. Here you will find some interesting
"goodies" from a variety of food choices, small home appliances, and an
apothecary to wearing apparel. Another must see is the Whales of Vermont Gallery
owned and operated by a hippie left over from the 60s, Wick Ahrens, who is quite
a character, as we discovered after spending some time with him discussing his
sculptures of whales. Wick has been sculpting whales for over 35 years and his
work has been exhibited throughout the USA.
And one site you don't want to miss and experience is the
tranquility of the Weston Priory which is run by a community of Benedictine
monks. After spending a few hours walking through the woods surrounding the
Priory while Lily painted scenes of the beautiful countryside, we both came away
admitting that the magnificent splendor of nature softened our souls as we
seemed to have entered into a state of ultimate bliss. The priory itself
contains several gardens, livestock, and an art store, including pottery and
other ceramics made by the monks.
In summer the Aldrich's can set up all kinds of activities
such as golf at Windham, Okemo, Stratton, Equinox, and Tater Hill. Other
possibilities are tennis, hiking, swimming, biking, picknicking (the inn can
even prepare a picnic lunch), canoeing, horseback riding, and Alpine sliding.
There is also the nearby Kinhaven Music School where in summer weekly concerts
take place. During the winter months and yes you can get married at the inn in
winter, there is top drawer skiing nearby at Okemo, Stratton, Magic and Bromley
and the Inn at Weston does provide ski packages in conjunction with these
resorts.
Be it for a wedding destination, honeymoon or a luxurious
romantic getaway, the fabulous setting and superb facilities will provide an
unforgettable stay.
You most certainly will depart being refreshed, revitalized
and oh, so very spoiled that you will try to figure out a way to prolong your
stay or retreat to again and again!
Additional Information
The Inn At Weston
Route 100, Weston Vermont
Tel: 802-824-6789
Email: http://www.innweston.com/tellus.html
Things to do in Weston
Norm and Lily Azerad-Goldman are a unique husband and wife
team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic
destinations. You can contact them at:
l.goldman@sympatico.ca
Norm and Lily Goldman are a husband and wife team that meld
words with art focusing on romantic destinations. You can read more of Norm’s
articles and view Lily’s art at
www.sketchandtravel.com. |
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