Woodstock Inn & Resort Unveils Renovations

Reopened in 1969 as the Woodstock Inn by Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller, the Inn became the community centerpiece of their conservation efforts that led to the establishment of the surrounding Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in 1992, the only national park in Vermont, and preservation of The Billings Farm and Museum. And now, their presence, influence and lives are celebrated in subtle and substantive ways as a result of recent enhancements.

“Over the course of its 200-plus year history from its inception in 1793 as Richardson’s Tavern to its current form as a luxury resort as envisioned by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller, the Woodstock Inn & Resort has continually evolved to meet the growing needs of the community of Woodstock and visitors to this region of the Green Mountains,” said Gary S. Thulander, president and general manager. “More than ever, the Inn provides a true sense of place that complements our growing outdoor leisure pursuits and fine dining to provide well-rounded, four-season experiences for guests.”

The key designer of the project is Paul Duesing, of noted resort interior design and architecture firm Paul Duesing Partners of Dallas, TX. With nearly 100 five-star hotels and resorts in his design portfolio, including Capella Pedregal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico), Tucker’s Point Club (Bermuda), and the Royal Livingstone (Victoria Falls, Zambia), Duesing’s designs always stay true to the local environment while addressing a complete sensory experience for guests.

“The result of these enhancements was to align the resort more closely to its Federal heritage and the beauty of Woodstock,” said Duesing. “As guests arrive and enter the Inn itself, they will be welcomed as if they are in a classic New England home, with a warm, inviting ambience in the lobby that really serves as a living room for the community.”

The Inn’s first-floor lobby and library have been transformed into a luxurious yet understated reflection of a classic New England Federal-period living room, with carefully spacious furniture arrangements that create small gathering areas. The Inn’s over-sized wood-burning fireplace, a favorite of generations of guests, is the focal point of the lobby space that now features abundant seating for individuals and small groups.

The Lobby

Arriving to the hotel, guests enter through high-gloss black painted doors into a black and white marbled vestibule with an 1880’s era bamboo hat rack stocked with resort umbrellas. Seated check-in now occurs at two oversized partner desks in front of the open book cases that hold the collection from Laurance Rockefeller. The concierge-style check-in ensures guests can have questions answered and dinner and spa reservations swiftly made on arrival. A semi-private guest service area adjacent to check-in and surrounded by antiques provides full concierge services.

Among the most significant Federal-era enhancements to the lobby are the installation of hand-scraped herringbone American walnut flooring, boldly saturated Benjamin Moore heritage paint colors, historic Schumacher brocade wallpaper used to define a separate lounge, a newly installed coffered ceiling, and a five-foot circular ottoman in front of the fireplace.

Richly patterned area carpets add warmth and contrast to the brightly colorful upholstered furniture. Antiques original to the building, including a grandfather clock, console tables, and a colonial bench among other pieces, are artfully placed among newer furnishings from Vermont-based artisans such as a custom newspaper and magazine case from Shackleton Thomas and hurricane sconces from Simon Pearce.

The Library

Under the watchful eye of a younger Laurance Rockefeller in a rarely seen portrait from his days as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy, guests in the library will find intimate seating areas to read, enjoy a quiet game of backgammon or complete a Stave puzzle, hand-crafted wooden puzzles made in Norwich, VT. The surrounding bookcases feature recent best sellers as well as an eclectic mix of classic and current biographies, books on conservation, travel and more favored by Laurance. Also featured is a cabinet dedicated to the history of Rock Resorts and the role the Rockefellers had in shaping the Woodstock Inn & Resort.

Arrival and Entry

Following renovations to the front drive, great lawn and entry way, visitors will find a more thoroughly engaging outdoor experience with sweeping views of the hotel’s front lawn and the natural beauty of Woodstock’s Village Green beyond. This work involved removal of the brick wall that bordered the lawn and front driveway to add a grand stairway leading to the porte cochère and the hotel’s entrance. Improvements to the porte cochère include gas lanterns from the ceiling and at either side of the front doors.

Other Enhancements

The enhancements touched on other public areas of the hotel and into the guest rooms. Woodstock’s fine dining restaurant, The Red Rooster, has been refreshed with new paint, artwork and lamps that coincide with new spring and summer menus inspired by the resort’s own 2.5 acre, certified organic Kelly Way Gardens. Additional antique furnishings were also added to enhance the restaurant’s ambiance. The sun-filled conservatory, the ideal spot for morning coffee and complimentary homemade cookies in the afternoon, features designed-for-comfort wicker sofas and chairs.

Each guest room received a complete overhaul of its bed and bedding. Anichini Hospitality, the luxury textile company in Tunbridge, VT, worked with the resort to create a custom plush bedding package of linens, an abundance of European square and king or queen pillows, duvets and coverlet to ensure a luxurious night sleep.

“Woodstock Inn & Resort has a responsibility to the community and to the vision of Laurance Rockefeller to provide an exemplary experience for all of our guests,” said Thulander. “Each and every detail of the renovations and enhancements were thoughtfully considered with that responsibility in mind, and with the goal to create a vibrant and true ‘sense of place’ throughout.”

The project called on a number of local and regional expertise, including landscape architects Coplon Associates, of Bar Harbor, ME, and Otter Creek Engineering, Inc., of Rutland, VT. Other Vermont-based companies who contributed include:

- Shackleton Thomas, Bridgewater, VT – custom media cabinet
- Simon Pearce, Quechee, VT – hurricane sconces
- Stave Puzzles, Norwich, VT – hand-crafted wooden puzzles
- Fine Paints of Europe, Woodstock, VT – entry doors high-gloss paint
- FH Gillingham & Sons, Woodstock, VT – hand-dipped candles
- Woodstock Pharmacy, Woodstock, VT – assorted picture frames
- RT Home, Woodstock, VT – assorted new accessories
- Vermont Flannel Company, Woodstock, VT – throw blankets in the lobby
- Antiques Collaborative, Woodstock, VT – assorted artwork and paintings

Located in idyllic Woodstock, Vermont, The Woodstock Inn & Resort defines country sophistication in one of New England’s most charming and popular year-round vacation destinations. The 142-room, AAA Four Diamond Resort and member of and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, offers award-winning dining in two restaurants, ranked among the finest in New England. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation, Inc. Proceeds from Resort operations support The Woodstock Foundation and Billings Farm & Museum education and conservation programs.

Visit website: www.woodstockinn.com