Gifts for a Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Penny and I have often said we are blessed beyond compare to own Vermont's most respected and honored "Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast".   True, the ownership of such a prestigious business is a wonderful experience.  The real blessing however is the fellowship with our guests. Some offer special blessings through their gifts.  So many people from Australia, Germany, South Africa, Paraguay, UK, Canada, the US and many more locations have given us gifts of their local culture or simply gifts of appreciation and friendship.  WOW...blessed to be sure. 

This family from Maine gave us a family heirloom Victorian rocker.  It is in great shape and is enjoyed by many who visit Inn Victoria.  Frequent visitors to this Okemo Lodging, this couple will sit and relax in the chair with a smile knowing it is being enjoyed by many.

We are constantly amazed at the true generosity and friendship that comes our way.  Such was the case when this couple gave us a gift of Burdicks Chocolates after learning that Penny LOVES 

L.A. Burdicks Chocolates of Walpole NH.  What a pleasant surprise!

Just when we think we've been blessed beyond compare, another wonderful couple learns of our love for wine, goes out to the car and digs out a red and white bottle of very luscious wines.  The white was chilling in the car cooler and they gave it to us!.....needles to say the wines went to great use!

Blessed by great friends....we'll always remember!

Penny & Dan Cote

Owners of Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast 

Inn Victoria Welcomes the Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts to Chester

Inn Victoria, a Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast, welcomes the Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts, (VTica) to Chester.  Due for its grand opening in the fall of 2011, the Institute is reaching out to the community to get involved.  Earlier this week Penny and I attended an informational meeting at the Fullerton Inn, where we found approximately 30 local people who demonstrated support.  

Although not yet completed, it certainly is a fun excursion through the old American Legion Hall on the corner of Main & Depot Streets in Chester.  The changes that have been made to the building are extraordinary and will offer the Institute the flexibility to offer a wide variety of community services.

VTica is a Gallery-Museum-School dedicated to supporting the innovative contemporary artist, creating an inviting space to engage the community through diverse thought-provoking art works and events. 

• The Gallery provides artists the opportunity to exhibit their finest works to collectors and art enthusiasts in a newly modernized facility located in Chester, the heart of South Central Vermont.
• The Museum holds and celebrates a growing permanent collection of work that speaks to the creative impulse in us all.
• The School offers art instruction to youths and adults, as well as residential studios for artists who are looking to participate in small group retreats. Our focus is to unite the community by challenging all to awaken and respond to a deeper calling through the essence of art.

Robert M. Sarly, President of Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts (VTica) and Abby Raeder, Managing Director of VTica, say that "Chester is a hub of arts for Southern Vermont.  The Vermont State of the Arts Trail as depicted on the diagram below is truly intriguing and draws attention to the great number of art galleries in this immediate area."

When in Chester, drop in and visit....or make a weekend of it, and visit each of the galleries on the trail. 

VTica is a member of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Penny and Dan Cote
Owners of Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast

TripAdvisor Reviews of Inn Victoria, an Okemo Lodging in Chester, Vermont

When TripAdvisor Speaks, Everybody Listens.  
This is especially true of the ratings Inn Victoria of Chester, Vermont has been honored with in the Okemo Lodging section of TripAdvisor's rating pages.  "Once an Inn guest has entered their post into TripAdvisor, I cannot make changes to it...it stands as is"; says Dan Cote, owner of Vermont's prestigiously rated, Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast, Inn Victoria.

Some rating organizations allow the Inn owner to go in and remove the post if they do not like it.  In the case of TripAdvisor however, the Innkeeper can't do that.  "Because of this, it seems to me that the TripAdvisor ratings garner more credibility than most other rating organizations"; says Dan.  "We find that most of our guests do their homework before calling to reserve a room...they seek out the opinions of others who have traveled before them.  They read many TripAdvisor ratings and research various competing B & B's before they make a booking.  We certainly appreciate that background check ahead of the booking."

Here are a few ratings Inn Victoria received in the last several weeks.

“Absolutely the best B&B I've ever experienced!”

Reviewed August 15, 2011 Florida

I love staying at B&B's whenever I can, and the Inn Victoria was BY FAR the best experience I've ever had.

“Perfect Stay”
Reviewed August 15, 2011 London
I can't praise this place highly enough - the welcome, room, food, facilities (including hot tub!) - everything was great, and I am sure that if we had wanted anything else, Penny and Dan would have sorted that out for us too. Thanks for a fantastic stay.

“Very nice stay, really enjoyed the Scottish Pub just down the street!”
Reviewed July 28, 2011  PA
We went to see the leaves in color. Very enjoyable B&B. The room at the B&B was super! Loved the quaint town. You have to taste the "cockaleekie soup" at the Scottish Pub! Addicting!

“A Wonderful Inn experience!”
Reviewed July 25, 2011   NJ
"An Inn is only as good as its' Innkeepers." This statement is especially true of the Inn Victoria. 

Inn Victoria has received several awards from various rating organizations, including two back to back (2010 & 2011) Award of Excellence for consistent high guest scores.  Inn Victoria is rated as the #1 Bed and Breakfast in a field of 11 B&B's in Chester, Vermont.

Dan & Penny Cote
Owners of Inn Victoria, a Chester, Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and Inn Victoria,

And the winner of the two High Tea awards from Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont, Bed and Breakfast, goes to:  Susan McNeely!!!!

Okemo Valley –3rd Annual Business Expo  August 13th, 2011
The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks the following businesses:

Thank you to the Green Mountain Banquet & Conference Center for hosting and
serving great food for our 3rd Annual Business Expo on August 10th.
40 businesses exhibited their products and services.
Thank you to the Message for the Week for being our media sponsor.
Thanks to Adam Rosenberg who sang and played his guitar for us.
Thank you to the many companies that donated generous free door prizes! One lucky winner received the grand door prize of a gift basket worth over $100 donated by Peoples United Bank.
The silent auction winners were:
Dan Cote was the highest bidder for TD Banks wooden Wine Box w/coppola claret.
Elaine Corino was the highest bidder for New England Deck and Patio’s flowers and ceramic planter.
Christina Smith was the highest bidder on Springfield Medical Care Systems bear & fleece zip up.
Susan McNeely was the highest bidder for Inn Victoria’s 2 high teas.
Elaine Corino was the highest bidder on Connecticut River Bank’s maple basket
Kathy Sarnes was the highest bidder on Calm Moments Spa Services Facial w/micro dermabrasion.
It was great seeing chamber members connecting with one another and being able to learn more about each others’ products and services.
It was a great venue for the public to learn about the different businesses, products and services that make up the Okemo Valley region, all under one roof.

Penny & Dan Cote
Owners; Inn Victoria, an Okemo Lodging

HIGH TEA at Inn Victoria, a Romantic Vermont Bed & Breakfast

Looking for something special to do while in the Okemo area?  Enjoy High Tea at Inn Victoria, Vermont's award winning, romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast.  The following photographs of ladies enjoying High Tea at Inn Victoria, represent very impressive hat creations.  Each of these groups designed their own hats for this very special occasion.

The first set of photos is of a New England Tea Group which meets monthly at a special spot of their choosing within one of the North East states.  Each week smaller segments of the group meet within their community.  They represent states from Maine to New York. Since their larger tea party here at Inn Victoria in late July, some have returned with additional friends.   FUN!

The second set of Photographs are of a family of ladies from Vermont & Connecticut who came together for this special occasion.  Grand mom and the girls created the dresses, hats and crochet gloves.  These two groups were so much fun and creative that we thought it would be good to share their creativity via the Inn Victoria Blog.

 

Penny & Dan Cote

Owners of Inn Victoria, Okemo lodging