Inn at Shelburne Farms

"I worked at the Inn when I was in college (15 years ago) and it is still to this day one of my favorite jobs I've ever had. I was excited to bring my family there for dinner last night. We had our 2 year old and 1 year old with us, and I was a little nervous about having them at a fancy place. The staff couldn't have been nicer. Our server, Gabe, knew it would be helpful to bring our kids meals out quickly to keep them happy. He was very kind, knowledgeable about the food, and seemed to have a passion for what he was doing. Later in the meal, my 1 year old caught the attention of another server (she may have been the dining room manager, I did not catch her name) so she came over to our table to table compliment our kids. My 2 year old told her she wanted raspberries for dessert and she brought out a huge bowl of them for her. She also told my daughter she could take the flowers home that were on the table. At the end of the meal, my daughter, who loves ballet, was starting to get a bit antsy so I told her she could get out of her high chair and dance as long as she stood by our table. A couple next to us got up and started dancing with my daughter. By the time we left, the whole dining room knew my daughter's name and were handing her flowers off their tables. On our way out the door, the server who brought us the raspberries told us how much she loved our kids. It was truly a great experience and probably became a core memory for me and my husband. Thank you to the staff (and patrons!) for such a wonderful night (and my daughter Francesca thanks you, too). We live over an hour away, but we will be sure to make this an annual tradition now."

Jillian Minerva

"Here's a reworded version for a glorious stay:

My husband and I had the pleasure of staying in the Rose Room, which offered stunning views of Lake Champlain. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and despite the lack of air-conditioning, the provided fan and open windows made the room quite comfortable. The service was impeccable, and every meal we enjoyed was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. We felt at ease as we relaxed on the property and wandered along the charming mini trails, discovering new delights at every turn.

It was truly remarkable to be in this magnificent mansion, built during the Gilded Age, and to sit on the same couch once graced by the Webb & Vanderbilt family. The attention to detail in its preservation was exceptional. We spent three wonderful days there, and if given the chance, I could easily have stayed for another week, but alas, it's back to work. I highly recommend this as a fantastic retreat for families or couples, especially with the Shelburne Museum just down the road—it perfectly complements the entire experience!"

Steaming Tender

"What a treat to stay the Inn at Shelburne Farms—an 1886 historic country home, built by Dr. William Webb and Eliza Vanderbilt. Thanks to the brilliance of Frederick Law Olmstead, the estate is situated with stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains.

The formal gardens were perfect for a sunset stroll along the bluff. Despite an unseasonably hot summer, many perennials were in bloom, including an impressive row of hydrangeas, colorful sage, lambs ear, cone flower, hollyhocks, dahlias and countess more.

The 1,400-acre estate includes a working farm with 107 Brown Swiss cows. We tagged along on the Cheese tour to learn that these beauty’s produce 5,500 lbs of milk a day, to make approximately 550lbs of the finest Vermont cheddar cheese. Of course I ordered a side of sharp cheddar with breakfast."

Elizabeth Gressel