The apartment was amazing! We were all so impressed with the size and spaciousness and number of rooms! It's like one of those dreams where you keep finding new, wonderful rooms to explore ... When we first arrived, we couldn't stop looking at the beautiful view of Mt . Okemo from the balcony just outside our rooms, and also from the kitchen area in our apartment (photo included, hopefully!). I loved to sit in the very early morning, or evening, and just drink in the peace and beauty of that ever-changing mountain view (mist in the morning, clouds constantly drifting). But that was just the beginning! The apartment was the best part!

This was the first time we vacationed with our two grown daughters, their husbands and babies (a 2 year old and an 18 month old). They rented two rooms on the second floor, and my husband and I rented that wonderful apartment right next door. The apartment was to be our "gathering place."

The full-size kitchen is so spacious. We filled the refrigerator with breakfast and lunch items, and enjoyed leisurely meals, all 8 of us sitting around the large breakfast table (babies in high chair and booster seats, brought from home). There are many fine restaurants nearby - (DJ's has wonderful food). Sometimes we got take out for dinner (easier with babies!) ...

The living room area was also so spacious and comfortable. There is a large, comfortable couch (also pulls out for extra sleeping), and two great big, deeply cushioned, new-looking chairs. The huge center table in the living room became our "toy box" where we kept the kids' toys. We didn't use the large TV with cable, DVD and VHS capacity too much, but it was nice to have it there for our occasional use. The living room also sports a piece of furniture that had been used as a bar in the past, but we used it as a changing table! ...

The deck ... Just outside the living room, doors lead out onto the beautiful, large wooden deck. From the deck, you can look down, between the trees (so green and beautiful), to the wide, shallow stream that flows just behind the motel, sparkling and bright in the sunshine! The deck is another place to just sit and drink in the peace! And - a beautiful place for the babies to run and play, too, with a large outside table and chairs. There are private steps leading down from the deck to the stream area, pool area, (beautiful and clean - the family loved this!) and spacious green yards one flight below. (Note: If you are bringing babies, bring an expandable fence to block off the top of the stairs).

Sleeping areas ... the master bedroom is HUGE! Large, very comfortable king size bed, and huge closets everywhere throughout the apartment. The bedroom closet (as well as other closets) is fully lit inside, and has two folding double doors, and one step up, and offers a magic place where little ones can hide and play INSIDE the closet! The babies loved this part of the room! Off the master bedroom is a smaller room with two bunk beds, spacious enough to hold a port-a-crib. This is where the babies napped each day, one in each bedroom. This smaller bedroom can be entered either through the master bedroom, or through a second door that leads out onto the deck.

The bathroom is also HUGE! There are double sinks and a tub-shower with a nice strong flow of hot water. The apartment is very well-lit, with light switches everywhere!

Glenn was a wonderful host, and went out of his way to help and advise us, telling us about great local restaurants and even sharing one of his secret fishing places with us! He also suggested a drive up Mt. Okemo to watch the sunset - which was just amazingly beautiful!

The cost: The only hotel in my home town offers a room with two double beds for $26 a night MORE than the cost for this entire, beautiful, spacious apartment - a very good, affordable deal!

Other nearby special places for little day trips with (or without) small children: Wellwood Orchards and petting zoo in Springfield (watch out for those goats!) - also, lots of exotic birds and other farm animals. You can pick your own things there, too - blueberries are in season in August ... Camp Plymouth State Park - also very nearby, with sand beach, canoe, kayak and rowboat rentals (took the babies in their first rowboat ride together!), fishing and snack bar - a beautiful, clean lake ... Chester is a great little town to walk around and explore ... the Vermont Country Store is also just a short drive away ... and Baba a Louis in Chester is a beautiful, unique place to have a breakfast, brunch or lunch - hard to describe - you have to go there and see it for yourself. Delicious breads and desserts ...

Sure, there are little things that could be improved in the apartment - just like at my own house! Yes, the exhaust fan over the stove should be painted or replaced. As for curtains - all the windows now have curtains - but - with the majestic and beautiful views, and no neighbors to peek in the windows - we had the curtains open all the time anyway!

But - for the priceless experience of spending 5 days - (we had originally booked for 4, but loved it so much we stayed an extra day - and Glenn was able to accommodate us in that, too!) - watching those babies bond, and all of us getting to know each other, taking little day trips together, and growing together as a family - this was the most wonderful experience, made perfect by this clean, spacious, welcoming apartment - the heart of our family vacation together. We look forward to doing it all again next year!