Now completely refurbished, The Dorset Inn is renowned locally and nationally for its gracious, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional cooking. Careful attention to the finer details in restoring the Inn are in evidence throughout the historic building: period furnishings and new carpeting and wallpaper amidst well-preserved architectural details in the Inn’s common rooms including wide pine board floors in the living rooms, the restored tavern and the pronounced character of the candlelit dining room. Now and for the past century, Dorset has attracted writers, artists, sports enthusiasts and vacationers to its high meadows, hardwood forests, golf courses and clear, trout-laden streams.

Luxury Farmhouse Lodging in the Heart of Manchester, VT.

The Barnstead Inn is a unique boutique lodging experience, for the outgoing and social travelers, located within walking distance of all that downtown Manchester has to offer.  A second-generation family-run inn with 21 beautiful rooms and suites, each room is spacious, yet cozy offering a private bath, seasonal air conditioning, new smart televisions, complimentary skin care products, courtesy coffee, wireless internet access and comfortable beds and bedding, all tucked into re-designed and re-imagined New England buildings built in the1830s.

Tucked just inside the main inn is our Stonewall Tavern – a Vermont-inspired rustic hub of culinary activity.  Guests can start their morning off by settling in alongside our cozy fireplace enjoying a made-to-order breakfast (included in the stay) or join us in the evening for fun, creative libations and fare.

We’re here to help guests plan their daily adventures into the surrounding Green and Taconic Mountain ranges, an area of unparalleled beauty.  Additionally, we host a variety of events including weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, receptions, rehearsals, corporate retreats, and more!

Last updated 1/26/2023

MISSION STATEMENT

To create relationships that enrich the experience of recovery and preserve our history as the birthplace and childhood home of Bill Wilson.

VISION STATEMENT

To be the destination for people in recovery.

In his role as co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson was by far one of the most influential people of the 20th century. In creating this program, Bill has been instrumental in literally saving the lives of millions of people across the globe and created a transformative, universal support system for those in recovery. The Twelve Step program he and Dr. Bob founded continues to do the same in the 21st century.

Bill’s story starts with his birth in East Dorset on November 26, 1895, in the Wilson House, his paternal grandparents’ hotel in East Dorset, Vermont across the street from the train station He lived nearby for the first five years of his life. The family then moved to Rutland, Vermont, until his parent’s divorce in 1906. That same year, his mother made the decision to go to Boston to train as an osteopath. She left Bill and his younger sister Dorothy with her parents in their East Dorset home across the street from the Wilson House. The grandparents’ home, complete with Bill’s second floor bedroom, is part of the Wilson House property and open to the public.

Bill spent a happy childhood and adolescence in and around East Dorset. He hunted small game, fished in small streams and at nearby Emerald Lake, and learned to play the violin. His grandparents had the means to send him to the then-private high school, Burr and Burton, a few miles away in Manchester. He was class president, captain of the baseball team and played lead violin in the school orchestra. From this, one can perhaps gain an early glimpse of Bill’s drive to be the best at everything he did. During his senior year, following the death of a young woman with whom he was in love, he suffered his first bout with depression, which delayed his actual graduation for a few months following commencement exercises. While nobody could foresee what was to come, Bill Wilson went on to become the most consequential person ever to graduate from his high school alma mater.

When Bill attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, he frequently returned home to spend time with his grandparents. This is a pattern that would continue for the rest of his life. He and his wife Lois, who had her own connections to East Dorset, visited for extended periods of time every year. This was home. Naturally, when Bill died, he was buried here.

Today, East Dorset remains the small town of Bill’s childhood. The main street still contains most of the tidy colonial homes he walked among for so many years. . Stately Burr and Burton Academy, nearing its two-hundredth year of operations, and where Bill spent four formative years, is a stop for any visit. Emerald Lake, where Lois’s parents owned a summer cottage, is a beautiful Vermont State Park. The East Dorset Cemetery where Bill, his mother, sister, grandparents, and his wife Lois are buried in a family plot, is just a couple of minutes away and a pilgrimage for most Wilson House visitors.

Bill Wilson’s soul resides at the Wilson House, where he was born, where his work continues, and which remains at the heart of the town he never really left. Just as the Wilson House gave birth to Bill W, it remains a life-giving refuge for those in recovery. You will feel welcome, and leave enriched by the experience of your visit.

LUXURY IN HISTORIC MANCHESTER

Stay in the heart of historic Manchester Village at Vermont’s premier small luxury hotel. With unparalleled views of Equinox Mountain from one of their twenty luxurious Rooms and Suites, each room features antique furnishings, fine art, luxury bathrooms and cozy fireplaces. Make a reservation at the restaurant and see why they won the coveted Gold Barn Award for the locally sourced menu featuring contemporary American cuisine paired with an extensive, award-winning wine list in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Whether choosing from their selection of packages or allowing the staff to curate your Vermont experience, The Reluctant Panther provides for all who call it home for a few nights. From fly-fishing to skiing, theatre and the arts, to shopping and farmer’s markets, the Panther takes great pleasure in making every day an unforgettable adventure!

A VERMONT EPICUREAN EXPERIENCE

Enjoy 2 nights accommodation and one memorable dinner in the Panther’s top-rated gourmet restaurant.  The Panther’s award-winning chef Sigal Rocklin, recently honored as 2018 Chef of the Year, prepare a tantalizing menu with locally sourced ingredients that deliver a wonderful epicurean adventure.

Included:
• Two Nights accommodation in the luxurious room category of your choice
•  Three-course dinner for two in the delightful Reluctant Panther Restaurant*
• Complimentary bottle of red or white wine and Vermont artisan cheese plate en suite
• Complimentary in-room breakfast basket for two

*Alcoholic beverages, taxes, and gratuities are additional.  

This package is subject to availability and change and cannot be combined with any other package, special offer, or promotion.

A destination built on century-old tradition, guests at Seesaw’s Lodge have been celebrating special occasions and making memories for decades. Seesaw’s offers rustic yet luxurious lodging, upscale dining and boasts a unique event venue located at the foot of Bromley Mountain, nestled in the Green Mountains, just a short drive from Manchester. Lodging consists of three cabins and a seven-bedroom classic Vermont lodge with spectacular mountain views.  All recently rebuilt with modern comforts in an old Vermont world setting that generously provide for your stay, whether for family reunions, intimate weddings or weeklong retreats. Johnny Seesaw’s Restaurant with its historical indoor firepit is onsite, serving up simple inventive food with deep connections to the surrounding area and inn’s heritage, celebrating Vermont with fresh fare rooted in tradition.

The Lodge & Cabins

Seesaw’s Lodge is all season destination built on century-old tradition of community and camaraderie. Renovated with modern amenities while keeping the style to continue the Seesaw’s tradition and heritage, including wood, slate, marble and exposed beams that have all come from the original construction.

Johnny Seesaw’s Restaurant

Newly restored and thoughtfully re-imagined, the iconic Johnny Seesaw’s Restaurant is back! Having been rebuilt to the original structure using all of the same logs, beams, carvings, murals, fire pit and bar. Come and experience the new Seesaw’s.

The Hut

Historic inn & dairy introduces educational farm & restaurant

Nestled in the Equinox Mountain Valley, Hill Farm has lived many lives: a 200-year-old Vermont dairy, an inn for New England travelers and now a Sagra location with the addition of a vegetable farm and dining experience that highlights the surrounding region. Take in the vistas, indulge in meals cooked in a wood-fired oven, and enjoy a sunset overlooking the farm.

Accommodations

Enjoy a peaceful stay in the recently renovated, historic inn with sweeping views of the mountains. The property includes a combination of inn rooms and private cottages. Each one is uniquely designed with pieces sourced from local artisans and makers. The grounds include a vegetable farm open to walking, trails along the Battenkill River and more special moments waiting to be discovered. Our standalone cottages are dog friendly, although guests are not able to bring dogs into the main inn.

Design Principles

Locally sourced artisan materials

Environmentally conscious products

A contemporary take on a historic Bed & Breakfast

Barrows House and its cluster of eight buildings are centered on six acres of lovely gardens, expansive lawns and venerable trees. Lodging options include luxury suites with whirlpool baths and fireplaces, cottages with multiple guest rooms, free-standing homes with living rooms and outdoor seating areas ideal for extended family & friends. In the summer, enjoy our pool and tennis courts. In the winter, warm up by the outdoor fire pit. Whatever the season…there’s always a reason to stay at Barrows House.

One, of a select few, four-diamond lodging properties in Vermont, Ormsby Hill offers ten unique guest rooms and suites. Each is warmly decorated, with a fireplace to keep you cozy, a two-person whirlpool to help you relax, and a luxurious, plush bed to deliver the most restorative sleep ever. Mornings begin with fresh coffee, local fruit, and homemade bread, followed by an amazing main course that will start your day in the best way possible. Spoil yourselves with an indulgent escape to this gorgeous, historic inn.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Inn at Ormsby Hill.

Last updated 3/15/2021

Built in the 1880’s as a private residence, this historical country Inn and the four beautiful acres it resides on, provide visitors with in-town convenience in a lush, country atmosphere. Twenty-one thoughtfully appointed guest rooms, including twelve suites, span three floors of the Main House, Carriage House, and Celebration Barn. Wonderful views of the lawns, gardens, and mountains can be enjoyed throughout the seasons while relaxing on the front porch, sitting by the fire pit, or enjoying the swimming pool. Downtown Manchester and all of its shopping, dining, and recreation are just a short walk away, while wonderful hiking, fishing, biking, golf and more outdoor opportunities are within easy driving distance.

Our breakfast menu is a collection of traditional comfort food favorites and hearty farmhouse classics: buttermilk pancakes, various quiches, french toast, eggs to order, and our famous Cottage Cakes. The selection changes daily with specials that give you the opportunity to enjoy a new dish every morning you wake up with The Inn at Manchester.