I stayed in a suite at the Follansbee Inn for five days in July. It blew out any expectations I had for my stay for the following reasons.
I intended for the Inn to be a base camp for New England exploration after driving up from my hometown of Atlanta. However, I found many attractions at the Inn itself that caused me to relax and simply enjoy being there.
I met the proprietors, Dave and Cathy, from their niece. Dave is the jovial one with entertaining stories of the many lives he has lived as a volunteer fire fighter, prosecutor, and much more. Cathy is the hands-on chef and purveyor of local knowledge. Both were very happy to make my friends and I comfortable at the Inn and point out many things to do in the area.
Every morning there is a great spread that Cathy creates from scratch. Daily items seem to be homemade granola, tea, coffee, milk, and juice. The majority of the main items are made fresh each day and during our time included omelets with swiss/ham/asparagus, ginger waffles, and potato cakes with apple sauce. One main item is usually accompanied by a couple other side dishes such as raspberry scones, yogurt, blueberry muffins (amazing!), hard-boiled eggs, and/or Waldorf salad. And, yes, dinner is just as amazing as breakfast if not more so. Meals are laid out buffet style in a room of many wooden tables overlooking the lake. Cathy is also conscientious about her cooking in order to meet the dietary needs of people (30% vegetarians or other restrictions) who stay at the inn. Beyond the deliciousness, this is another reason she makes her items from scratch so she knows everything that is in her food.
Kezar Lake is another attraction within about 50 yards of your bed. The lake is just across the sleepy road in front of the inn. A short dock serves as the launching point for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or simply floating on a raft. I was so excited to explore the outdoors that I repeatedly rose without alarm at 6am to kayak on the lake. I'd circle Blueberry Island which is 0.5 miles from the dock and has beautiful water lilies on one side or I'd circle the parameter of the lake where I found a beaver dam down one stream and a great heron swooping off just prior to that discovery. This equipment is available along with safety equipment and some bicycles; just inquire with Dave and Cathy. If you are a runner, you can circle in the lake in about 3 miles.
However, you could always just take it easy in the hammock, lounge chairs, or benches on the bank of the lake. It's comfortable and beautiful. I recommend a little bug spray in the summer at dusk for the mosquitoes which are large and slow but persistent. This is a beautiful time of day to sit out and enjoy a pizza on the park bench by the lake. Ask about Pizza Chef (restaurant) which has great pizzas and many other items I didn't have the time to enjoy.
Now, if you didn't get sucked into simply relaxing at the Inn with it's unique, comfortable rooms, it's bar room that's made lively by Dave's entertainment, the lake, or it's game room - then there are many sites in New England to see. I'm from the South and I enjoy some good food so I ventured to the Lobster Shack (Cape Elizabeth, ME), King Arthur Bakery/School (Norwich, VT), Cabot Cheese Visitor Center (Cabot, VT), and Ben & Jerry's Factory (Waterbury, VT). There were many other sites to hit for food but frankly the Inn was a pretty comfortable place to stay and relax.
I definitely recommend staying and enjoying your time here. read more