Governor's House In Hyde Park — Hotel in Hyde Park

I don't usually write reviews, and the inn itself is beautiful and charming, but I felt I'd be remiss if I didn't provide an accurate account of my experience so that others are well informed before visiting the Governor's House in Hyde Park, VT.||First I should note that I stayed for a full weekend rather than just one 2 hour event, so perhaps some of the positive reviews were from folks who spent shorter time frames and didn't get the "whole" experience.||Overall, a weekend at this inn felt like staying at a boarding school, complete with rigid rules and rough living. The innkeeper was often hard to find and wouldn't always answer the bell or phone, and would constantly scold you or give you irritated looks just for asking a reasonable question. She overall didn't really seem to want to be bothered with us, like we were pests instead of guests.||The temperatures were unbearable...there was no AC and it felt like 90-95 degrees in the house. Bedrooms were extremely uncomfortable, and running fans and opening windows was only allowed at night. ||We practically had to beg for bottled water, which was supplied only when asked for and in limited quantitites (and not cold). After that, we were told to refill our bottles from the bathroom tap downstairs, which tasted metallic and again, wasn't very cold. I get that the place is old and doesn't have AC, and perhaps most of the year it doesn't need it, but guests should have been accommodated to keep them comfortable. A small fridge accessible to all guests should have been available in the main rooms and always filled with cold drinks and perhaps cold treats like popsicles or ice cream (even during meals, we never got anything with ice in it, which would have helped tremendously). I felt sick through most of the weekend from the heat, but the innkeeper was cranky and you felt you couldn't approach her to ask for anything without annoying her (it felt tense and like walking on eggshells the whole time, again, like obeying a headmistress instead of staying at an inn as a guest).||The price of the weekend was pretty steep for what we got. In addition to the hot environment, it basically included some activities like quill writing, a 50 quiz test (with many questions about Regency England we hadn't learned at all throughout he weekend and very little about Jane Austen books), and croquet on the lawn. Sewing projects and the horse drawn carriage ($40 and in another town) were extra, and I feel the price of these should have been included. The best part of the whole weekend was the English Country Dancing...there was an amazing instructor who really walked us through the moves, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. However, everyone had sweat just pouring down their brows, and we weren't allowed to have doors or windows open for any sort of cross breeze!||Overall, the experience was very immersive, but not in a good way, as it felt like we really were living in the early 1800's. Not...

My wife and I were recently celebrating our 40th anniversary, and spent a wonderful week in the Stowe area. My wife found that there was a place nearby that served Afternoon Tea, so we scheduled it. It seemed like a good opportunity to reminisce about 40 years together over a peaceful tea.

On the day of the tea, we arrived a few minutes early. We entered the home and waited a few minutes for the hostess. She arrived and seated us at our table. She then began scolding my wife for taking a picture of the place setting at our table with her cell phone. We were confused, so my wife asked why. In a condescending tone, the hostess said the sound of taking pictures would distract the other guests. We tried to assure her that the phone was on silent mode but, for the hostess, the conversation was over and she walked out of the room.

I could see that my wife was in shock and on the verge of tears, but we agreed to see the tea through and try to enjoy ourselves. That wasn't possible, as the tension with the hostess remained, and we were constantly wondering what else we might do that would result in another reprimand.

Overall, the tea time was average and basic. The food was good, but there was no music, no color on the table, no choice of teas. Honestly, though, we weren't expecting the Savoy or Harrod's, and it would have been absolutely perfect with some basic kindness and hospitality from the hostess. As it was, it was a waste of both time and money. We regret going, we will not return, and we will not recommend it to friends and family.

Overall, save both your money and your dignity and do something else in the...

My husband and I recently stayed three nights at the historic Governor’s House in Hyde Park, Vermont. We booked it sight unseen, which sometimes can be one of those “you-takes-your-chances” kind of situations, but it turned out to be an amazing place to get away from life’s daily negative hubbub. The inn provides a wide array of non-screen opportunities for you to entertain yourself with while onsite, including board and other games for the entire family, hundreds of movies, rooms of wall-to-wall books, even an ongoing thousand-piece historical Jane Austin jigsaw puzzle, which instantly drew my dissectologist husband’s attention. Our room was cozy and comfortable with down pillows, a warm comforter, and fresh flowers, including calming lavender, and a decanter of sweet sherry on the bedside table for our sipping pleasure. Breakfasts were varied and delicious, and chocolates, homemade cookies, and fresh fruit were available all day “for the picking”. This inn is a quiet, peaceful, get-away-from-it-all adventure. It is set in the perfect central location from which to head out and explore scenic Vermont. Suzanne, the innkeeper, is a delightful, unique combination of historian, librarian, teacher, tour guide, and gourmet chef! She gave us great suggestions for several “road trips” to discover the beauty and charm that is Vermont. She even prepared a large, tasty picnic lunch for us to take on the day of our longest driving tour. We highly recommend The Governor’s House and hope to make a repeat retreat...