Manchester Vermont is known for its historic inns. The town has been a tourist destination since the mid-19th century, when Manchester Vermont hotels attracted wealthy city-dwellers fleeing urban centers for the clean country air. Today, Manchester Vermont hotels continue to attract visitors looking for a tranquil escape from modern life.
The most famous Manchester hotel is the Equinox, founded in 1853 by Francis Orvis. The Equinox has changed hands many times over the years, but its four-diamond restaurant, modern spa, and picturesque setting has ensured its place in the highest echelon of Manchester Vermont hotels. Set on 1,300 verdant acres beneath the towering Mount Equinox, this prestigious Manchester hotel is an ideal romantic getaway. Golf enthusiasts will love the state-of-the-art Gleneagles championship course; their wives will enjoy celebrity treatment at the Avaynu Spa. Expect to pay upwards of $300 a night, more for the exquisite presidential suites.
One block from the Equinox is another example of fine Manchester Vermont lodging. The Village Country Inn is a sophisticated French-styled hotel with an acclaimed restaurant and 32 well-outfitted rooms, many with fireplaces and/or double jacuzzis.
The Equinox has influenced other Manchester Vermont inns. Willburton Inn on River Road is a spectacular Tudor estate on 20 acres overlooking Batten Kill, the area’s famous fishing stream. Its Billiard Room restaurant serves regional and American specialties. Angels restaurant at Village Country Inn is another acclaimed restaurant in a Manchester hotel. It is housed in a romantic French-styled inn with formal gardens, gazebo, fountains, a 100-foot porch, and a terrace.
Some may prefer the personal service at one of the smaller Manchester Vermont inns. Battenkill Inn is a quiet Manchester hotel on historic Route 7A just south of town. It was built in 1840 as a wedding present and the rose bushes that surround the property pay tribute to this romantic beginning.
The Inn at Ormsby Hill exemplifies the tranquil atmosphere of Manchester Vermont lodging. Its elegant manor house dates to 1764, making this one of the most historic of all Manchester Vermont inns. There are only 10 rooms in the hotel, so make reservations well in advance, especially during the fall foliage season.
Although the Equinox still leads the way in Manchester Vermont lodging, its example means that visitors to the town are spoilt for choice when it comes to quality lodging.
