Simon Pearce and Inn Victoria in Vermont

Less than a 30 minute drive from Vermont's most Romantic B&B (as rated by Yankee Magazine 2009), is a Simon Pearce glass blowing store, shop and restaurant.  Truly an experience to watch, the fine craftsmen and woman create beautiful glassware direct from the glass furnace to the table.  What a site to behold!

Penny and I enjoyed lunch from the balcony deck which overhangs the rivers' mill dam and falls.  Simon Pierce transformed this old architecturally perfect mill building into their Vermont home.  This building houses their museum, electrical generation equipment, factory, (I'd call it more of an artisan shop), and restaurant.  What a day!...and only 30 minutes from Inn Victoria!

Imagine a Southern Vermont getaway to tour two glass studios near Inn Victoria.  Tsuga Studios is located just three miles from our front door!  Nicholas Kekie is a glass artisan who's work is simply outstanding and incorporates colors in his work.  Follow this link to check his work out....simply fabulous!...oh, and the second picture below is a sample of Nicholas' work.

Dan & Penny Cote, Owners of Inn Victoria
a Victorian Inn of Southern Vermont

King Arthur Flour and a Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Did you know that King Arthur Flour is a Vermont institution?  Inn Victoria is less than 30 miles from the store, bakery and educational center in Norwich Vermont.  We have committed to purchase all of our seasonal foods locally and the flour is no exception to that rule.  My mom always cooked with King Arthur Four, Penny's mom cooks with King Arthur flour and from what I can tell....most fine bakeries cook with King Arthur Flour.

This link will take you to the educational center web link for information on educational classes.  When Penny and I were there two weeks ago, the classes were full...book early!  We loved the store!  I told Penny before going into the store..."you are limited to one shopping cart" .....she brought home one "heaping" shopping cart full!  Oh well, the prices were very reasonable and it was a fun experience!  You'll see us there monthly from now on.

If you love to cook...this is a MUST visit when looking for a Bed and Breakfast in Southern Vermont.

Rachel and the King

Dan and Penny Cote, owners of Inn Victoria a Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Vermont Weddings

Tis the season for Vermont Weddings, Romantic Getaways and Vermont Elopements.  In the last several weeks Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast has been blessed to have hosted several.  As you know our specialty is in hosting intimate gatherings ranging in size from two - thirty.  Although our sleeping arrangements limit us to 19, we do partner with other B&B's in the village within walking distance from our front door.

This week we hosted Matt & Liz.  They were a fun couple and they had a blast....so much so that while swimming at Buttermilk Falls just NW of Ludlow on Rt # 103, Matt lost his wedding ring in the falls.  Big time Bummer....for sure!  Matt was not shaken, he asked a nearby swimmer if he could borrow snorkel goggles...and wow!....Matt found the ring!  What a story!!  What are the odds of finding that ring?

Several weeks ago Diana and Tom asked us to host their private elopement in our parlor.  It was a fantastic time for all of us!  They had the the big Princess Victoria room and enjoyed local restaurants and sights while in Chester Vermont.

and the list could go on and on.......

Congratulations Diana & Tom!..........and the last photo below shows the famous ring....after it was plucked from the depths of Buttermilk falls.

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

An American Girl Visits a Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Jordan and her doll visited Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast, a few days ago and sparked an inspirational idea for a very special Vermont Vacation Package.   "Why not host an American Doll package weekend for mothers, daughters and dolls"?...what a fantastic idea!  And so, with Jordan's ideas, we've designed one that we think will be a real joy for young ladies.  

The question is; when should we host it?  Please send me an e-mail or blog note and let me know your thoughts.  Here is the package:........(what do you think?)

The Inn Victoria,  American Doll High Tea Package offers three structured events (High Tea, Breakfast and an historical Inn Tour), hosted by inn owners, Penny & Dan Cote.  Each event is designed for your young lady's educational benefit, and will focus on:

• Etiquette
• Formal Dress
• Victorian Era History with an aim to encourage and inspire the love of reading.

1.  The event is limited to 8 adults, 8 young ladies and 8 dolls of any variety
2.  Formal dress is required at High Tea
3.  Each bedroom has a DVD and flat screen TV for viewing a movie if desired during personal  
     time.
4.  Cost is "all inclusive"  based upon the room choice:  Princess Victoria $350, Princess Alice      
     $325, Prince Alfred $325, Prince Albert $299, Princess Helena $299, Princess Beatrice $225, 
     Prince Leopold $225, Princess Louise $199


Sunday:
     1 PM  Check-in
     3 PM  Formal High Tea on China presented by an American Lady
     4 PM  An English Gentleman visits
     5 PM - 8 AM  Personal time for shopping games, movies, reading, etc..

Saturday:
      8 AM  Formal breakfast on China and crystal
     10 AM Inn tour with a fun history lesson about etiquette, the Victorian Era, and a Lady's dress for
          the period.

April 22 - 23...or...June 10 - 11

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

Bicycle Rentals in Chester Vermont?

Inn Victoria is a romantic Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast, now with bicycle rentals!  What do I say to a guest who wants to rent a bicycle, but there are none available in Chester VT?   ...Simple, I say; lets start a bicycle rental company.  Our guests have had to travel 13 miles to rent bicycles but now they have access to great hybrid Schwinn bikes right here at Inn Victoria.

The bikes are a hybrid mountain and road bike, allowing the rider with the best available comfort and still have a tough, 21 gear, bike for traveling the local trails or just getting from village to village.  The seats are wide and padded.  The seat suspension combined with front fork suspension, make the ride very smooth.  Everything on the bike is adjustable for a comfortable ride.  We even provide helmets at no additional cost.  Soon I plan to have bike trails posted on the Inn Victoria interactive map section of the website. 

Costs range from $7 per hour, $25 for four hours, or $35 for over four hours.  All bikes to be returned by sunset.  We make the rental process quick and simple.  No frills or extra charges.

Brian Kendall (son of Nancy Phillips owner of the JNB Country Shoppe in Chester VT), is the young man who put them together for us.  Brian is great with his hands and knows bikes very well....Thanks Brian for putting them together or us!

Dan Cote, Inn Owner at Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast

A Visitor From the Last Century Visits a Vermont Bed and Breakfast Near Okemo

A photo of an English Gentleman dressed in his formal wear and top hat, was placed in this week's Vermont Journal.  Dan Cote, together with is wife Penny own Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast, and routinely hold High Tea in their beautiful Victorian Mansion / Bed and Breakfast.  Several days ago The Publisher of the Vermont Journal, Bob Miller was driving by while Dan was out greeting people on the street;  Bob did a quick U turn and came back to snap a shot of Dan and his "last century attire".  And today the photo and quick summary write up was in the paper!

"Chester residents are being treated to a visitor from the last century as he stands beside the Inn Victoria's High Tea sign.  The Inn features a High Tea every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m.  The High Tea is served both hot and cold with savories, sweets, and fruit.  If you wish to attend the High Tea, a two-hour reservation is required."

COOL!!!!!!!

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

Music is in the Air Near Okemo, Vermont

This weekend the guests at Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast, were blessed with the sounds of the piano from Katie & Brian.  The parlor music was absolutely beautiful and enchanting as each played some pieces for us.  Katie and Brian were guests visiting for the night and made themselves right at home playing the piano for the rest of us!

As you can imagine this would be a very pleasant surprise for any Bed & Breakfast in the Okemo Valley to enjoy.  Our 100 year old piano sounded so nice in comparison to our background music from the stereo. Thank you Katie and Brian for picking Inn Victoria, Chester Vt.