Crafts Inn — Hotel in Wilmington

I just loved this place. I felt like I went into a Time Machine and woke up in the Eighties or early Nineties, in a really good way. I’d forgotten how peaceful life was back then, unlike the constant chaos we have to live with nowadays. Yes, it was really that peaceful and relaxing in Vermont.||Everyone at the front desk was very nice. I shared several wonderful conversations with Nora, who really made me feel at home. Tim from maintenance was very helpful and knowledgeable.||The weather was perfect in the second week of September, and the leaves had already started to change color. Several people said that after 2 weeks, the colors would be really spectacular. But I thought that the lush greenery with occasional red, orange and yellow highlights looked amazing.||I was in room 307 which was very quiet and although it was a non-AC room, I felt very comfortable. 2 days were chilly because there were a couple of showers but the room had good heating so it was cozy inside. 2 other days were slightly warmer but the fans were sufficient to keep it cool.||This was a solo trip, and I was a little wary of driving on mountain roads but it was fine. I had flown into Hartford from LA, stayed 2 nights ( I visited Yale University in New Haven and the Mark Twain in Hartford), and drove to Wilmington where I spent a week at Craft’s Inn. One day I visited Bennington, where I spent 2 hours at the Bennington Museum, went to the Battle Monument and visited Robert Frost’s grave and Robert Frost’s home and Museum. Another day, I drove up to Manchester and visited Hildene, the Lincoln family home. I also went on a tour of Emily Dickinson’s home in Amherst, Ma and visited the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library in Northampton, Ma (only an hour’s drive on 100 and 112 from Craft’s Inn ). On my last day there, I went on the chair lift to the top of Mount Snow for a little bit of hiking. The view from the top and on the way down was absolutely stunning.||On other days, I browsed through stores in Wilmington and had some great conversations with lovely people. I had dinner one night at Anchor’s, which was delicious. On other nights I ate in the condo. I bought groceries from Shaw’s which was about a mile away. They were really well stocked and even had Lactaid milk.||At the end of the day, it felt so good to use the hot tub downstairs. ||I flew back to LA via Albany International Airport, which was a 1 1/2 hour drive from Craft’s Inn. Thank you for a great vacation,...

Crafts Inn is a historic inn. That being said there are always some inconveniences that go with staying in a place built in 1898. This is not a luxury accommodation, but has many pluses to consider when booking a place in Wilmington. First, it is located in the center of the historic district of Wilmington. It is within walking distance of several restaurants and historic sites and shops. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The rooms were well equipped with pots and pans and utensils, with a full size refrigerator and stove and oven. There are just a few rooms with air conditioning and those with air were the ones surrounding the pool and were quite dark with no view except the indoor pool area. However, the rooms that faced the road or the river experienced significant road noise as the bridge across the river next to the Inn was being repaired and had a metal plate across it that clanged loudly every time a car or truck drove over it. As this is the main route 9, there was constant noise all day, with less at night. The darker rooms with air were not disturbed by this road noise. There was a $50 housekeeping fee, but no housekeeping. You were required to strip the linens from the bed, and take out all trash upon leaving. If you wanted clean towels, that was available on Wednesday when you put your dirty towels outside the door and they would exchange them with clean towels being left outside the door. There was a small pool and jacuzzi that could accommodate 10 persons. This was never a problem as it was rarely used while we were there. They advertised Pickleball and tennis courts. This was just not true. In the basement area they had a racket ball court with a sagging temporary net for Pickleball net. I do think there was a kitchen line, but no others. The side and back boundary were the walls. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The mattress in our room needs replacing as it rolled to the middle. Be aware there are no toiletries provided; however, there is a Shaw’s, Walgreens, and Dollar Tree just down the street. There also is not a hair dryer in the room, but you can check one out at the front desk. All in all, knowing what I know, I would stay there again, if nothing else, for...

Where to begin?

No greeting when checking in. Just asked for name and given a list of rules. Only one small elevator that takes a long time to move. By small, I mean maybe 4 adults can fit in it (without luggage). Multiple metal heavy doors to get to the elevator. Try maneuvering when you have luggage through tight spaces. You have to ask for the hair dryer, iron, and ironing board from the front desk. The hallway carpet has stains. The window frames have stains. Cracked window in the hallway. The hallway carpet is worn and old. The walls have stains. Flooring is uneven, i.e., not flat. Broken panel on floor radiator in the hallway.

But there were a few positives: The room was clean. Location was great. Nice restaurants within walking distance. Dirty towels could be exchanged mid-week.

But back to the cons: The bedroom is on the other side of the room from the bathroom. We had a double bed. No air conditioning but we didn't need it in September. Have you ever been on a cruise where the bathroom is so small you can sit on the toilet and brush your teeth over the sink at the same time? Yeah, that's how small the bathroom was. The door opens in so you have to maneuver yourself to get to the shower. Speaking of the shower. It's half the size. Everything is dated. The bathroom sink is super low and not standard height as it is in newer homes. No key card. You are given keys. Small tv. Rules upon rules. There was a list of every item in the kitchen down to the last fork. The refrigerator gurgles. That is the best descriptor that I can think. It just makes a gurling sound the...