A Vermont Inn Getaway

Fabulous Service, Views and Fine Dining at Three Mountain Inn

Aug 6, 2009 Maureen Littlejohn

Fresh air, fine food and historic inns make Vermont a great go-to spot for ski vacations in the winter, leaf peeping in fall and glorious R&R all year long.

What can one say about a place where billboards have been outlawed since 1969? Where the population is less than 600,000 and eco-friendly home-grown entrepreneurs like ice cream kings Ben & Jerry are the norm not the exception?

Vermont is a sparsely populated treasure, sprinkled with small towns with white steepled churches, and governed over the years by curmudgeonly politicians bent on keeping things the way they are.

Three Mountain Inn – Fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs

At Three Mountain Inn in Jamaica, Vermont (pop. 700), the innkeepers take that philosophy a step further. The 1790 property has been carefully restored far beyond its former glory. Originally part of a 135-acre farm, the inn now sits on two acres and comprises three guest buildings— the main inn, Robinson House and Sage Hill cottage. There are a total of 14 guest rooms, most with gas fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, plus the one-room cottage. Just down the path is an outdoor swimming pool and benevolently watching over all the comings and goings are the three mountains the inn was named for —Shatterack, Ball and Turkey.

Like in most Vermont homes, the main entrance is in the back. Walking through the door, past the tiny four-seat Snug Pub, guests are welcomed in the main sitting room where a crackling fire blazes on cool days. There is a beehive oven on one side of the massive Rumford fireplace, once used to bake bread.

Sage Hill cottage is the inn’s latest addition. Decorated in shades of cranberry and gold, the room features polished wooden antiques, as well as a few high-tech embellishments. Wall panels operate lights, open skylights and ignite the gas fireplace. A Queen-size sleigh bed governs the space, topped with a stuffed mohair bear named Old Ben, handmade by a regular guest. Each room has a different bear. There’s a Jacuzzi tub in one corner, complete with spa product gel packs and on the other side of the room is a small table laid a variety of Vermont cheeses and crackers. For entertainment, there’s a CD player (with jazz and pop CDs), a VCR with three Audrey Hepburn classics— Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday. In the arch of the roof is a hand-painted maple leaf stained-glass window. Crafted by Neumann Studios in Brattleboro, the window is just one of the many pieces of Vermont art showcased at the inn.

Vermont Fine Dining

The inn’s restaurant offers the best in Vermont fine dining, featuring local produce and ingredients. Depending on the season, the menu might feature onion soup made with Vidalia and Bermuda onions, sparkling Vermont cider and a touch of cream and appetizers such as terrine with pork, veal and duck liver and truffles or sautéed foi gras with caramelized apple and spiced demi glace. Entrees could include pan-seared breast of duck with Japanese steak sauce, pan-roasted cape sea scallops with wild mushroom risotto or grilled tournedos of Black Angus beef with truffle mashed potatoes. For dessert diners might be tempted by a rich opera cake or Grand Marnier and white chocolate mousse with kiwi sauce and almond tuiles. Breakfasts are also lovingly crafted and include a buffet of freshly made pastries, homemade jams, cold and hot cereal, fruit, and a hot dish served to your table such as orange thyme pancakes, roasted red pepper quiche with basil and sausage or vanilla French toast with Vermont maple syrup.

Year Round Getaway

Comfy, cozy, with superlative service and delectable dining, the Three Mountain Inn is a delight any time of year. With close proximity to skiing in winter at Sutton, great trails for hiking in the summer and spring, and gorgeous trees that blaze with color in the fall, Vermont is the perfect getaway.

The copyright of the article A Vermont Inn Getaway in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Maureen Littlejohn. Permission to republish A Vermont Inn Getaway in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Skiing in Vermont, Maureen Littlejohn
Skiing in Vermont
    
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