Lodgings are wonderfully charming in Woodstock and the surrounding towns. There are plenty of historic inns and bed & breakfasts to choose from as well as renowned resorts. The village of Woodstock offers travelers a "green hotel" option as well. The Woodstocker Inn is designated a "Vermont Green Hotel" by the Green Hotels in the Green Mountain State Organization. To be awarded the designation lodgings must meet specific criteria and standards.
The Woodstocker Inn puts a contemporary spin on the category of "vintage" boutique inns. Located just a few blocks walking distance from the old town center and steps away from quaint covered bridges off of River Street sets the most cleverly inspired inn imagined tucked within one of New England's most charming villages. From the outside one might think it's yet another quaint New England 18th or 19th century inn - albeit painted in bright sunshine yellow. However, on the inside, proprietors David Livesley and Dora Foschi have carved out a new niche of lodging akin to a "eclectic vintage" aesthetic.
Or, think of it as traditional Americana redux married into a imaginative European bloodline. How does that work, you might be wondering? British-born Livesley says, "we're low on the chintz factor," if that gives you a hint.
Woodstocker Inn Proprietors, David and Dora - Photo by Gigi Ragland
British couple, David and Dora brought their environmental and sustainable background with them to Vermont. They grew up conserving resources in England because that was the lifestyle many people were accustomed to rather than a choice as it is in many other countries. The Woodstocker livens up reclaimed materials to fit the more functional, contemporary interior designs of the house while keeping the bones of the foundation intact. What's more, there is a touch of the "whimsy factor" going on too. For instance, a guest might hang their hat or jacket on a "dog's tail" hangar protruding from a column or wall. And throughout the inn guests can view the proprietor's collection of humourous artwork gathered from their previous career working at a fast-paced publishing house in London. In addition, professional black and white photographs of the local folks who helped refinish and run the inn hang on the dining room walls. Guests can see the local farmers who provide the organic produce and eggs to the IT specialist, the carpenter and the financial consultant. Their common link is specialist expertise, local knowledge and a great smiles for all the guests to admire.
Chelsea Guestroom Tub - Photo by Gigi Ragland
The inn includes 9 rooms with distinct personalities and individually named such as the Westminster which features twin claw-foot, cast-iron tubs custom-made for an apres-ski or apres-hike soak. Or the roomy and spacious Richmond with large living room and Bose sound system. For those that need a splash of energy the Chelsea invites you in with vivid brick-red walls and matching red bathroom fixtures.
All the eco-amenities and high tech finishings are top-notch but the real gems are the hosts. David and Dora extend warm, welcoming hospitality, great conversation and plenty of amenities to satisfy even the pickiest eco-traveler.
Some materials used in the renovating/updating of the inn
- Reclaimed internal wooden doors
- Vermont slate for both walls and floors
- Organic cotton - shower curtains, duvets and duvet covers
- Old barn boards exposed and renovated in the kitchen and bathrooms
- Exposed and renovated original wood flooring
- Recycled bath tissue, kitchen tissue and paper napkins
- All organic bath and laundry soaps are provided by local purveyor Vermont Soap (vermontsoap.com)
Energy features of the inn
- Transfer of oil energy to propane energy
- Recycling of glass, tin, plastic and paper
- Use of 'green' cleaning and laundry products
- Bathrooms include lo-flo showers and toilets
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