Ahhhhh....
The Thomsons from Ottawa, Canada were recent guests at West Hill House. At breakfast we asked if they had found their room comfortable. Their reply?
“Our room was an oasis of tranquility within an oasis of tranquility.”
Posts Tagged ‘West Hill House’
Tranquility Base
Sunday, April 17th, 2011We know how to make tea!
Friday, April 15th, 2011
A Ceylon tea set which was purchased by Peter's grandmother when she and her husband lived in Ceylon in the early 1900s.
Over the past few weeks I have attended two conferences, each providing various meals followed by coffee and tea, but only if you asked for it.
My latest tea challenge came just the other day. I was brought a cup filled with very warm water (not hot enough to have been boiling) and a wooden case from which I could choose from about a dozen types of teas and tisanes. The tea bags were tucked into little cardboard boxes 1.75″ x 1.25″ x .75″ and wrapped with plastic wrap with a pull tab much like the wrapping on a cigarette package. By the time I had chosen my tea, finally removed the plastic from the box, got the box opened and the tea bag into the cup, the water had gone from very warm to warm. While the quality of tea was good, full-leaf tea in a triangular tea bag, I could only imagine what this would have tasted like had it been properly made.
It’s time tea was made and served correctly!
When you visit West Hill House, if you request tea, we will make you a proper cup of tea.Tea as it should be!
B&Bs Kick Gas!
Sunday, April 10th, 2011Save on Gas. Travel with Friends.
Remember these days?
Invite another couple or two other couples to join you for a gas-saving get-away at West Hill House Bed and Breakfast. Make a reservation for 2 or more nights, pay on one credit card, travel here in one vehicle and take advantage of our B&Bs Kick Gas, Gas Saver Special.
Pay full price for each of the rooms for the first night and receive the second night(s) at a 50% saving. If you stay for 3 nights, the third night(s) – on the house. Think of the savings as our way of helping you fill your gas tank.
We are happy to provide you with touring ideas, dinner reservations or even a home cooked dinner at the B&B if there are 6 of you traveling together.
The Gas Saver Special good now through June 30, 2011 and cannot be combined with other specials we may be offering . The Paris Suite is not included in this offer.
Beautiful New Mugs
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
Liz enjoys a homemade biscotti and hansels our brand new mugs.
We recently received our beautiful new hand-thrown, signature stoneware mugs from Deneen Pottery of St. Paul, Minnesota. Deneen Pottery is a family owned and operated company and their products are handmade in the USA.
Liz and Joe from Fairbanks, AK were B&B guests the day the box of mugs arrived and Liz was the first to hansel our new mugs (hansel: to use something for the first time). They loved the mugs so much they bought two to take home with them.
We are delighted to offer these marvelous mugs to our guests for their hot beverages as well as to purchase as a reminder of a wonderful time at West Hill House B&B.
Find us on Facebook!
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Burns Supper at West Hill House
While we post regularly to our blog here, you can also follow us on our Facebookpage. Often we duplicate postings but usually there is more on Facebook than here on the blog.
For example we just posted a photo album from our Burns Supper, held for the first time in our newly renovated Handsome Red Barn. (Click on the photo to see the full album.) About 25 local residents and B&B guests joined in the festivities, celebrating the 252nd birthday of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns who was born on January 25th 1759.
In addition to pipe music, we enjoyed Haggis with the traditional fixings, Scottish Trifle, some Burns poetry then Scottish Country Dancing led by Don and Martha Kent. A good time was had by all. Be sure to come next year!
So “like” us on Facebook to keep up with ALL the news!
Une visite de France
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
Three cousins visiting from France delighted us with this guest blog about their visit to the Mad River Valley. Nous disons, “Merci, Fanny, Audrey, et Valerie pour votre visite.”
Nous avons passé quelques jours au West Hill House chez Susan et Peter en août 2010. Et quel séjour au coeur des Green Mountains, dans le Vermont. Les hôtes sont charmants et très accueillants, heureux de nous faire partager leur passion pour leur magnifique région. La maison est très jolie et confortable, rappelant les maisons Américaines (exterieur), Canadiennes et Ecossaises (intérieur). Quant aux petits déjeuners de Susan : exquis !! Et en tant que Français, tout le monde sait à quel point nous aimons les mets de qualité!
Et pour finir deux grands chats adorables : Smoky et Snowball!
La région du Vermont vaut le détour : de belles randonnées dans les Green Montains, des baignades dans la rivière, beaucoup d’expositions d’artistes et artisans d’art, The Warren store à voir absolument (Magasin qui rappelle le magasin de Mr Olson dans la petite maison dans la prairie!!), vous pourrez y déguster de délicieux petits plats et trouver des objets insolites, The Store à Waitsfield (petite ville à quelque kilometres de Warren) où l’on vous accueille avec une tasse de thé ou de café, vous y trouverez tout le necessaire pour cuisiner : des ustensiles aux condiments. Cette région regorge de “red barn” = fermes typiques rouges, de ponts couverts, et de restaurants où nous avons toujours très bien mangé.
Bref, je gardais du Vermont un souvenir exceptionnel, 15 ans après mon premier voyage, j’ai retrouvé la même authenticité et le même accueil chaleureux.
N’hésitez plus, West Hill House et le Vermont sont des lieux que l’on n’oublie pas ! Pour ma part, je reviendrai en automne ou en hiver, cela doit être magique!
We’re Engaged!
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
Look who just got engaged at West Hill House.
Kathryn and Peter visited us in the spring and came back during the Christmas holidays for some R & R – Relaxation and a Ring!
“Your bed and breakfast is so relaxing and enjoyable and I’m so glad that we were able to have it as our engagement location. I can’t imagine anywhere else where I would have done it and Kathryn thought it was perfect. We can’t wait to come back again.”
Thanks Peter and Kathryn, we loved having you here and look forward to your next visit.
Welcome Home Vermont Guard!
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Welcome Home Vermont Guard
The West Hill House and 17 other Vermont Select Registry Inns are offering complimentary stays for any Vermont Guard member at one of the participating Inns. These outstanding citizen soldiers have made tremendous sacrifices for us. Thank you Vermont Guard! If you are a Vermont Guard member call us or any of the Vermont Select Registry Inns for a reservation.
At West Hill House B&B we are offering a free two-night stay to any returning Guard member and significant other during the months of January, February and March 2011 (except Presidents Week from February 20th to 24th). The offer applies to stays on Sunday through Thursday nights. Discounted ski passes are also available.
PLEASE become a fan of the Face Book fan page Welcome Home Vermont Guard. Details of the program can be found on the fan page and at this special web page.
Small Wedding Ideas
Saturday, December 4th, 2010Wedding planning means attending to a myriad details: choosing invitations, the perfect dress, bridesmaids dresses, rings, honeymoon location, guest list, venue, caterer, menu … the list is long and may seem overwhelming. TV programs feature big budget destination weddings with all the trimmings- beautiful beaches, glitzy hotel ball rooms, lavish country clubs.
The perfect wedding weekend
You may be surprised to learn that many smaller towns have a good number of highly skilled wedding professionals who will help you plan your perfect day. In the Mad River Valley for example we have internationally renowned photographers, award winning florists, amazing chefs and caterers using local ingredients with exceeding flair, skilled hairdressers and make up artists, excellent musicians, and numerous B&Bs whose owners offer a range of wedding package.
Like many B&B owners, here at West Hill House we are happy to help you plan and co-ordinate all your local wedding needs. Our wedding couples appreciate the fact that we take a personal interest in their wedding plans, no cookie cutter weddings here! We were delighted to help Steve and Skott plan their October wedding which took place under our beautiful maple trees and was attended by 20 family and friends.
Whatever your budget, what ever your venue, what every your guest count, your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and requires a good deal of planning. At West Hill House we love to host small intimate, budget friendly weddings with up to 80 guests. We know our local wedding professionals as friends and neighbors and would be delighted to help plan your wedding so you may have memories to last a life time.
Guest blog: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
West Hill House Barn reflection
My husband and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary with a 3 week New England vacation in October. It had always been my dream to see the fall foliage and experience the charm of New England and we were not disappointed.
We saw many beautiful areas but when people ask me what was my favorite part, I do not hesitate to respond. West Hill House in Warren, Vermont was tops! Our expectations were exceeded in every way. Peter and Susan made us feel like family the moment we arrived. We even did laundry in the newly renovated barn.
Their home is gorgeous, spacious and so relaxing. There are large areas to sit and enjoy quiet time or visit with wonderful guests. The grounds are stunning and the fall colors were absolutely vivid. We loved taking early morning walks and photographing all the beauty that we were surrounded by. My husband thought the golf course would be fun to try sometime.
Susan’s breakfasts were absolutely delicious and Peter spent a good amount of time mapping out drive routes for our visit. The surrounding area offers so many wonderful restaurants and things to see and do. We saw covered bridges and had fun at the Ben & Jerry’s factory tour. We ate one night at American Flatbread and waiting is half the fun. There are bonfires outside and people just enjoying each other. The food was made with organic ingredients and was fresh and yummy.
My only regret is that 2 nights was not nearly long enough and I was sad when it was time for us to leave. I keep telling my husband that for any occasion he can give me a gift certificate to West Hill House! I hope we can come back soon and I thank Peter and Susan for truly making our dream a reality.
Editor: An addition to Susie’s comments is that she is an exceptional photographer. She shared some of her photos with us and the one shown is a beautiful view of our barn from behind the Beaver Pond.
