Gazing out the windows of the wonderful Chesterfield Inn, one can’t help but relax in this idyllic setting. High on a knoll, guests have a magnificent view of the grounds and the surrounding countryside.
We arrived in winter, and the hills were wrapped with an undisturbed fleecy white blanket of snow. With just enough shadows to give it definition, the snow was piled high on the patio outside our room; creating little bee-hive caps on the railing posts. White birch trees, a favorite of mine, lined the edge of the property, pointing to the Connecticut River, just a short hike away.
The Chesterfield Inn
The inn has been owned by Phil and Judy Hueber since 1987 and is one of the earlier members of Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE), a collection of luxury New England B&B’s and country inns. As a tight knit group of operators, they know each other and each other’s properties, making it easy to recommend just the right destination for those traveling in any direction. (See more about DINE below.)
Having always vacationed in B&B’s, Judy says this style of travel was in her DNA. Formerly working in New York City, the Hueber’s longed for a quiet setting where they could raise a family. Discovering the Chesterfield Inn, they knew this was the location for them. In addition to raising their two children here, they’ve added guest rooms and cottages as well as developing a gourmet reputation for dining.
Speaking with other guests, “relaxation” and “rejuvenation” seem to be the operative words when asked why they keep coming back. Within a 15 minute drive, you can be snowshoeing or wandering the hiking trails of the 14,000 acre Pisgah State Park, enjoying its streams and ponds.
Less than an hour away, you can be at Grafton Ponds in Grafton, VT where we enjoyed some of the best snowshoeing ever on their marked and groomed trails. The inn’s website is full of suggestions for other closer attractions in West Chesterfield, should you want to take in the local flavor.
In warmer weather, you don’t even need to leave the property.
Come spring
Picture if you will, 10 acres of lush gardens, planned by landscape architect Gordon Haywood. If it’s wild flowers you love, you’ll want to explore the mown path through the tall grasses, the Queen Anne’s lace and the Black-eyed Susan’s. Watch out for the big bullfrogs as you near the pond.
When you’re done, sit back and relax with a glass of wine on the blue stone terrace adjacent to the dining room. As the sun sets, and the twinkle lights begin to illuminate, you’ll know you picked the perfect getaway.
Our sweet suite
We stayed in Room 20, one of the two “cottage” suites added in 1995. With a king four-poster bed, a double whirlpool tub and gas fireplace, we couldn’t have asked for a more comfortable location. Wide French doors opened to the private deck overlooking the gardens. As beautiful as the snow was, we already were thinking about returning in the spring or summer to enjoy the abundant wild flowers.
Individually controlled air conditioning is available, but with nice cross ventilation and the large patio French doors, I envision some cool Vermont breezes from across the river keeping this room quite comfortable most of the year.
Free Wi-Fi service worked well and cell phone service was four bars strong. Complimentary land line service was available as well, should you have needed it. In the bath area, I enjoyed the complimentary coffee/tea service and the mini refrigerator for our cold beverages.
In addition, the Chesterfield offers nine rooms in the original inn, some with fireplaces and some in the loft of the original barn. Doors in the corridor still speak to the equestrian roots of the property.
The Johanna Wetherby Building was the first addition added by the Huebers in 1992, naming it after the original property owner back in the 1700’s. Here you’ll find four more guest suites with queen beds, fireplaces and private baths. All the rooms here, as well as the two cottage suites, are pet friendly. Every room throughout is child friendly, so you needed worry about leaving the gang behind.
In all, there are 15 rooms, each with its own personality.
Whether it’s just the two of you or the whole family, be sure to check their website for specials, packages and enhancements. For massage packages, pet packages, balloon bouquets or that special bottle of champagne, Chesterfield Inn has you covered.
Come for the quiet – stay for the food
Dining is renowned at the Chesterfield Inn, with dinner being served daily (except Sunday) from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m. Chef Bob Nadstedt features produce from local farmers, home-grown herbs from the garden and regional specialties like seafood from Boston – just two hours away. Desserts look amazing and can be paired with a carefully crafted selection of wines.
In the morning, Judy expertly handles breakfast honors, serving up a masterfully prepared feast on the porch overlooking the gardens. With a full selection of breakfast items to choose from, even special dietary needs can be accommodated. Fresh flowers were everywhere, making even winter seem like springtime.
Contact Information:
Innkeepers: Phil and Judy Hueber
Chesterfield Inn
20 Cross Road
West Chesterfield, NH 03466
603-256-3211 800-365-5515
http://www.chesterfieldinn.com/
About Distinctive Inns of New England
Grafton Inn is one of the Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE), a consortium of 12 inns located throughout the six New England states. This collection of luxury inns and B&Bs are carefully aligned to offer distinctive surroundings and haute hospitality all within an easy drive of one another. Choose one or create an itinerary for either coastal or mountain inns. Either way, an extraordinary escape will offer bucket list accommodations. Visit www.Distinctiveinns.com for more information or follow DINE at https://www.facebook.com/DistinctiveInns.
We were invited by Distinctive Inns to review five of their inns. Read additional reviews of:
Deerfield Inn – Historic Deerfield, MA
Capt. Jefferds – Kennebunkport, ME
Manor on Golden Pond – Holderness, NH
Chesterfield Inn – Chesterfield, NH
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