The Quechee Inn (formerly the Inn at Marshland Farm) is located at the site of the former homestead of Vermont’s first lieutenant governor; the oldest part was built in 1793. It is quaint and charming, despite having modern amenities. Each of the 24 rooms is different in size, layout and decoration, but the general theme is New England colonial. Two of the rooms are suites, each with a separate sitting room.
We have been coming to the Quechee Inn for over 20 years; we usually come 2 or 3 times a year. Since Rick Trahan took over as innkeeper and general manager several years ago, he has engaged in an extensive program of upgrades and improvements. The bedding has been updated and improved; rooms have been repainted and/or repapered. Each room now has free wireless internet, a flat screen TV and a refrigerator. Complimentary sparkling water is provided in each room. The Quechee Inn is now in the process of upgrading and replacing the bathrooms. (As a result, older reviews of the Quechee Inn are out of date.)
In the morning, a complimentary breakfast is offered in the dining room, which usually includes scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, home fries or some other potatoes, coffee and tea, a selection of juices, and an assortment of cereal, breads, and fruits.
The Inn also serves dinner and another upgrade has been the quality of the food. The menu is available on the Inn’s website, but we especially like the roasted garlic shrimp appetizer (4 jumbo shrimp) and the bruschetta primavera (loaded with good stuff). For dinner I can recommend the slow roasted crispy duck, the filet mignon and the grilled salmon. (The garlic shrimp is also available as an entrée.) There is also a fresh catch of the day entrée. For dessert, I recommend the double berry tart, the crème brulee or the molten chocolate lava cake. The restaurant also offers a fairly large wine selection at reasonable prices. The chef, Ed Kroes, was featured in the winter 2011-2012 issue of Woodstock Magazine; unfortunately, the article doesn’t talk very much about the Inn itself.
The first floor has a huge gathering room with a large fireplace. It is furnished with sofas and overstuffed chairs. Decorations include artwork by local painters that is for sale and antique farm tools. There is also a piano and bar, where one can order drinks and “small bites” meals for about $9.00. In the afternoons, complimentary coffee, tea and cookies are provided.
Depending on the season, one can use the wilderness trails, go cross-country skiing, shoe shoeing, kayaking, canoeing, and fly-fishing. The Inn does not have an exercise room, but one can use the facilities at the nearby Quechee Club for a modest daily fee. There are a number of nearby places to visit, including the town of Woodstock and its charming shops, Billings Farm (where you can go on a sleigh ride, which we enjoyed), the Rockefeller Mansion, and the Quechee Gorge.
The Quechee Inn is available for weddings (it can accommodate 225 people outdoors or 65 people seated indoors). The Inn is also a popular destination for office holiday parties.
The Quechee Inn offers various packages throughout the year; you should check the website to see what is offered. (We recommend the “winter warmer” 2-night package and the Wednesday night prix-fixe dinner.) In addition, the Quechee Inn has a Facebook page; specials will also be offered to Facebook “friends.”
