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Experience The Inn at Manchester: a Vermont B&B and Carriage House

When we decided to take a detour on our way to Maine by way of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, we knew we would need to make another stop before getting to our final destination. We could have stayed in Cooperstown a second night, but we decided to drive on down the road a few hours to make the final day of travel a bit shorter. After consulting our good friend, The Google, we honed in on the sleepy town of Manchester, Vermont. Two hours from Cooperstown and about six hours from our camp in Maine, it seemed like the perfect place to stop over.

I rely on Trip Advisor for recommendations on restaurants and lodging when we’re traveling to new places, and I was immediately drawn to the charming Inn at Manchester. Usually we travel as a family of 5, and I wouldn’t consider a B&B, but this time we were planning for our 2 daughters to travel to Maine separately with my mom, so we would be a party of 3 for a change. The Inn at Manchester was calling my name.

the Inn at Manchester

I love how every room is different with different amenities, and they’re priced accordingly. They have an excellent website that allows you to see multiple images of each room and choose the one that best suits your needs.We selected a small room, Wood Lily, with a king bed and a pull out sofabed. We were able to make reservations online, and the process was as easy as pie.

A few weeks before our trip, we found out that we would need to bring our 2 daughters along after all. I panicked, as we had already paid for our room, and I knew the Inn was almost fully occupied the night of our visit. But my husband made a phone call and spoke with Julie, who graciously offered us a room in thecarriage house with 2 queen beds, a sitting area with a fireplace, and space for an extra mattress on the floor for our 3rd child. We were thrilled.

When we arrived at the Inn at Manchester after a long day of touring the Baseball Hall of Fame and driving over the country roads of Upstate New York and Vermont, we were greeted by a gorgeous restored Victorian with a gracious wrap-around porch flanked by beautiful summer flowers and a lush green lawn. It was like a scene out of Better Homes and Gardens.

Inn-at-Manchester

inn at manchester gardens

In addition to the main house, there is a carriage house in the back, which is a renovated barn. There is also a newer building to the left of the house that is called the Celebration Barn, which has 3 additional guest rooms plus space for parties, weddings, conferences, and other gatherings.

Inn at Manchester Celebration Barn

Oh, and did I mention there’s a pool? Our kids enjoyed that.

Inn at Manchester Pool

Frank was there to greet us when we arrived, and we quickly discovered that the main house is as charming inside as it is out. He and Julie have a knack for decorating in a way that is formal but welcoming.

fireplace-entryway

fireplace living room

They showed us to our room in the Carriage House out back, and what we found was this charming hideaway called the Wintergreen Room. I love the soothing tones of rose and Tiffany blue.

wintergreen

wintergreen room

There was plenty of space for our family of five. Julie provided a mattress on the floor for our 3rd child, and also made sure we had enough towels for everyone.

inn at manchester wintergreen room

wintergreen room middle

The bathroom was plenty large, and it had all the modern amenities you could want, including a large walk-in shower. I love that Julie provides black makeup towels. Brilliant!

makeup towels

After we got settled into our room, my husband took the kids to the pool while I spent some me-time on the front porch of the main house. They even have a pub with a fully stocked bar, so I was able to enjoy a glass of Sauvingnon Blanc while I read my book and soaked in the atmosphere.

inn at manchester pub

Coffee service starts at 7am in the foyer of the main house. Of course, I arrived at about 7:01. You know how I am about my morning coffee. I had already enjoyed a brisk walk to downtown Manchester and back, and I was ready for some hot java. They served Green Mountain coffee, of course, and it was the perfect strength and temperature.

inn at manchester morning coffee

Inn at Manchester Morning Coffee in the Parlor

Inn at Manchester Morning Coffee

I took my mug into the parlor for a few minutes and then decided to enjoy the front porch again. Guests began arriving soon after I settled into my spot on the far corner of the porch, but there was plenty of room for people to spread out and enjoy a few minutes of morning solitude before breakfast was served at 8.

front porch

There are several tables set in the dining area for breakfast, and I like how you don’t have to sit family style with other guests. I enjoy getting to know new people, but I also appreciate my space. Frank and Julie have achieved the perfect balance of making you feel at home but still giving you as much privacy as you want.

Frank is known for his breakfasts. He was making pancakes the morning we were there, and my family was delighted. My husband gave his seal of approval and wanted to know how he got the perfect crispy outside and soft inside. The poor guy, I rarely make pancakes anymore since I’m gluten-free and can’t enjoy them, and I never did master the art of the perfect pancake. Frank also offered to make eggs any style, so I went that route. They also offered me gluten-free toast in a dedicated toaster, which was a treat. We scarfed our breakfast so fast I didn’t even stop to take pictures, but here’s a capture of their lovely dining room. There were several more tables in the front room as well.

Inn at Manchester Dining Room

I couldn’t have been more pleased with our stay at the Inn at Manchester. Frank and Julie are gracious hosts, and they make sure you feel at home without overwhelming you with attention. The beds are extremely comfortable, the linens are luxurious, and the property has plenty of spots to hunker down with a good book. In addition to the front porch and the sitting rooms inside, the side yard is a peaceful area with benches spaced out among the gardens and a hammock for those who want to kick back and relax.

side lawn 2

While it worked out fine for our largish family, it would also be a fantastic place for a girls’ getaway or a romantic couple’s weekend. We definitely hope to return sometime!

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7 Responses

    1. Yeah, I admit, I was nervous having kids there. I was afraid they would disrupt the rest of the guests, but I think they did okay. I liked that we were in the Carriage House. It felt less intimate than the main house, and probably a better spot for families. PLUS it is right by the pool. 🙂

  1. What a great find! I have quickly found that traveling with a family of 5 is very different from a family of 4. Love how they so easily made accommodations for your family.

    The Inn loves lovely and I’m totally obsessed with the wall color in your room. It’s gorgeous!

  2. Wow, it’s so beautiful! The more I follow you, the more I think we should vacation there! Haha

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