Grunberg Haus Inn & Cabins — Hotel in Duxbury

I would give it 6 stars if I could...

I surprised my boyfriend this past weekend with a stay at Grunberg haus for his birthday. When deciding where to stay, I knew I wanted to give him a different experience, and didn't want to stay at a "frills and ruffles" type establishment. Grunberg haus definitely fit the bill.

When I first walked through the door I knew guests are made to feel at home. I noticed how other guests just "kicked off their shoes" at the front door and stepped into their slippers!

Grunberg haus has a homey, eclectic feel. It is the perfect balance between a hotel and private vacation rental. Its rustic charm is cozy, quiet, and inviting. We enjoyed relaxing in the many common areas; all flanked by a glowing fire. While I was sitting by the fire stove enjoying a slice of Leah's scrumptious banana bundt cake, I was able to notice and appreciate the small details Duane and Leah thought (and continue to think) through. The ambient Edison lighting, candles, and gas lit stoves throughout "invite" you into snug nooks. The innkeepers are friendly entertaining and informative, yet not at all intrusive. We were comfortable curling up on the sofa with a book, playing a game of cribbage, and sharing a bottle of wine with other guests, who even taught us how to play dominos.

Guests can selctively mingle or nest to themselves...but I guarantee that the whimsical and vintage decor will spark up at least one conversation between you and another guest!

Some very courteous and nice touches I noticed from the innkeepers: Food was amazing! Duane and Leah packed a simple breakfast up the night before, for a couple leaving very early the next morning who would miss coffee and breakfast (how lovely and thoughtful.)A water pitcher to hydrate was always out in the common area. Quality food and good coffee. Fresh homemade baked goods left in the common area in the afternoon. Individual packets of bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, and hairdryer were supplied. Great goose comforter! Sound machine in bedroom. We slept so soundly.

With great affordable rates, this gem of a Bed & Breakfast flies under the radar, and I almost want to keep it to myself as my own little secret hideaway! It will appeal to travelers of all ages....and we saw them there. It's a perfect central "hub" to the 3 ski areas, without all the traffic, hustle and crowding. Why stay at one mountain, when you can stay at Grunberg haus and play at all 3??

Dont limit the reason for your stay to skiing though. Do yourself a favor; Consider staying at the Grunberg house for a bachelor/ski/snowboard board party, girlfriend's retreat, family reunion, pop-the-question-spot, study hall, rest and rejuvenation spot. We went to Lajoie Stables and had a private horseback trail ride in the snow.

Leah, I wish I could have talked with you more because I know your creativity and whimsy plays out in the food you prepare so wonderfully...(next time?)

We will be back soon...with my dog.

If you've never tried a Bed & Breakfast, this is one for even the most shy or skeptical person.

...And if you are a frequent Bed & Breakfast'er...stay...

Long overdue review; at the time of writing this we have stayed at Grunberg three times (each time for multiple days). We were referred by a friend, and have referred and brought friends to stay here. This alone is a glowing endorsement as repeat visits and personal referrals usually mean an establishment is doing everything right. TL/DR this place is amazingly cool. Owners, dogs, art, architecture, acreage around the property, food, ambiance, and access to Vermont food and activities are all phenomenal.

The actual review: The proprietors Duane and Leah (with their two pups Neko and June) are wonderful, lovely, warm, and genuinely cool people. They have unique and interesting hobbies and have woven them throughout the beautiful architecture of the inn itself. There is really rad art, graphics, historic Vermont kitsch, records, skateboard, snowboard, and ski art/equipment beautifully displayed throughout the inn. Everything is meticulously placed and displayed and anyone with even a passing interest will enjoy perusing the vintage and art.

The inn itself is a beautifully and uniquely designed Austrian chalet featuring wrap around balconies and spacious rooms. Every room is themed after a local mountain and has an enormous comfortable bed with warm and soft linens. Every time I have stayed here we sleep on a king sized bed. I live in Brooklyn and a king size bed fields like an open field ... I usually have spin around 2 or three times to find and spoon my partner. The lobby and shared spaces of the inn are really well thought out as well. If you want to socialize and chat up another guest (and you probably will as most of the other guests I have encountered at this place are pretty cool people themselves) there is ample space to do so. If you want some private quiet time to stretch out and lounge there are a number of comfortable nooks to cozy up in and watch a movie or spin some records or enjoy a drink. Additionally there is an extremely well kept full sized billiards table. The breakfast part of B’n’B is delicious. There is always something warm featuring a meat or eggs or veg (if requested) and a large spread of baked goods, breads, cereal, tea, coffee, honey, maple syrup, and jams ... and a nice selection of hot sauce. Currently, during Covid, the warm food options are individually wrapped, and everything is individualized, sanitized, and separate. The inn is also very clean (it always has been) but this is reassuring in the time of Covid. Lastly I have a Dog, this place is dog friendly, which is just icing on the cake. When we visit Vermont Kai and Molly (our two pups) get excited as we turn into Waterbury as our visits to Grunberg usually involve Neko touring Kai throughout the grounds and just heccin’ all day. We love this...

We stayed at Grunberg Haus for a week in October for my sister's wedding. Duane and Leah (the owners) were very welcoming and we felt like we were family the minute we walked through the door! They went above and beyond in preparation for the wedding which definitely took a load of stress off.

We stayed in one of the cabins on the hill and it was the perfect little cozy cabin for my boyfriend and our 2 dogs to stay in. To get to the cabin, you had a short walk up the hill with lights along the way for when it's dark out. We drove our Subaru up there the first and last night to unload/load our belongings, but the drive is a little rocky and bumpy so I wouldn't suggest driving a car with low ground clearance up there.The cabin had a full bathroom, microwave, fireplace with cut wood, and a small fridge for us to keep all of our delicious craft Vermont beers in :) Leah made a delicious breakfast everyday, from pancakes with fresh maple syrup, to some AWESOME breakfast sandwiches! She also had some yummy parfaits and a variety of other options continental-style.

The Inn itself has a multitude of different style rooms, all named after local area resorts like Sugarbush/Killington, etc. The main common area has a nice pool table, large comfy couch in front of a fireplace, long beautiful wood tables for breakfast/socializing, and a TV room. There is also a small bar area with tables and a common fridge in the next room over. There is a deck out the back with tables a chairs which is nice to sit out on a beautiful day.

Close to Waterbury, Ben&Jerry's, Stowe Ski Mountain (which they have discounted lift tickets at the Inn), and plenty of restaurants and bars that are only a few minutes away.

Our whole family absolutely loved the place. It felt like we were right at home, and everything was very easy going. Duane and Leah are the coolest people ever and are definitely in the right business. We can't wait for our next stay here!

PS-DOGS ARE WELCOME!! :))) There is a cool dog park called "Dog Mountain" about an hour drive away from the Inn, but definitely worth checking out for those dog lovers out there. It is a whole off-leash mountain dog park with hiking, swimming, agility course, and even a little...