Great place to stay. Family is very welcoming and the Alpaca's are great. Unique experience…read more Definately a recommendation. Justin (Netherlands)

The Vermont Wedding Barn, aka Champlain Valley Alpacas, aka a Little Slice of Vermont Heaven, was…read moreeverything we could have hoped for and more for our July '19 wedding. Jenny and Les, owners and host extraordinaires, are incredibly friendly, sweet, easy people to work with. Les' brother, Bill, was also on site all weekend, lending his hands and just being friendly. They went above and beyond their normal wedding weekend duties to make sure everything went smooth on our weekend. And look at those alpacas! They are such unique, cool, cute animals that were all much more sweet than we had imagined. They really provide a lot of character to this beautiful Bridport venue, and the 'Running of the Alpacas' is something we will never forget! When we booked this venue sight unseen, we had been a little apprehensive to see it in person for the first time, but the barn itself is much more spacious than some of the photos make it seem (we fit 140 people, buffet tables, a 5-piece band, bar, and more in there), the manicured lawn all around it provides tons of room for lawn games, appetizer tables, cocktail hour, etc., the pool cottage is a charming, spacious studio with a nice shaded deck and, of course, the pool to hop in when it got too hot was a big family favorite. There are a few different options for ceremony site depending on your preference, which is a nice thing for a venue to offer. We chose the sunny spot, next to the vineyard with the Adirondack backdrop. Can't beat it. It's worth noting that when booking at the Vermont Wedding Barn, you are booking the space to use for your wedding. Unlike some other places, you are not hiring a team to help coordinate, set up, take care of the logistical aspects. As I said, Jenny and Les were very helpful to us in so many ways, but just remember there are a lot of moving pieces that go into a wedding weekend! Planning and executing our wedding ourselves, we learned this first hand. Be sure you have help arranged for the weekend (recruit your family + friends!). Of course, this makes the Vermont Wedding Barn more financially viable than a lot of other VT venues! Overall, if it isn't obvious yet, we loved this place and would certainly recommend the venue to anyone looking for a beautiful, outdoor Vermont setting. There is something about a barn wedding that is just so fun, the 60 or so alpaca on the farm give the property a unique, fun leg up on other Vermont venues, and Jenny & Les take it over the top with their hospitality and friendliness. We are so happy we tied the knot at this great family farm - it will always hold a place in our hearts.

We stayed in the Beede Suite. It was lovely. Perfectly clean; comfortable beds with quality linens;…read morea convenient kitchenette; adorably decorated; and effective AC... The common areas of the lodge are clearly given plenty of care. The area by the river was delightful! Breakfast was better than what is provided by most places nowadays, with great eggs, muffins, and more. Best of all may have been the owner, who gets five-stars-plus for her hospitality! As another reviewer had said, I hesitate to leave a review because it's tempting to keep the lodge a "hidden gem." Heehee. To note for light sleepers who are not early risers: The suite is adjacent to the kitchen, so it is fairly easy to hear the early morning food prep, particularly from the room with the twin beds. Bringing an extra fan or sound machine would probably be a good idea.

Our new favorite place to stay in Keene Valley! Beautiful decor, very clean, and so quiet! Staff…read morewere incredibly kind, and the breakfast in the morning is healthy and delicious. Carrie's blueberry muffins are to die for! There is even a relaxing creek-side picnic and fire area to relax in the woods without having to go too far. The perfect spot to stay if you are hiking anywhere near Keene Valley.

Adorable cottages on Lake Champlain. Perfect for relaxing. Great with kids. Owners are so nice!!read more

A rustic lakefront getaway, off the beaten path with wonderful amenities (hot tub, BBQ, large…read morecabin, ON the lake). The proprietors, Ardie & Mike, couldn't have been more hospitable and helpful. The cabin was comfortable, recently updated, well-equipped with a full kitchen and super quiet. Minutes from the ferry to Ft. Ticonderoga/NY Lake George. The drive through the apple orchards and woods is idyllic and delightful. People considering a visit should know that the nearest gas station/food mart is a 10 minute drive and virtually all eateries and tourist sites require a significant drive.

My husband and I were married at the Skinner Barn Columbus Day weekend 2014. Feeling a bit…read morenostalgic after a recent trip back to the area, I decided to look up the barn on Yelp. I was completely shocked to see some negative reviews, and felt compelled to share my own experience... My husband and I met with Peter after finding the Skinner Barn online. We live in MA and drove up to meet with Peter and check out the barn. It was the first venue we looked at, and we were completely sold on the absolutely stunning, picturesque barn... But also on Peter. He was very kind, and he was happy to provide us with a great deal of information on not only his venue, but anything and everything we asked about. He very clearly has a system. If you run a decent business- you better have a system to keep it running that way. Cars are to be parked in a certain area. He guides the guests to where they need to go. He is around for the whole night making sure that everything is running smoothly. The music can not be excessively loud- he has neighbors. Yes it's your day, ladies, but we can all still be considerate of others don't you think? Anyway, there was absolutely nothing wrong with Peter or his attitude. My makeup artist actually told me that I was the most stress free bride she had ever seen. Mostly because my view was that getting married trumps all of the details. Every single one of them... but I'm sure that Peter being so kind, caring, and accommodating had a little bit to do with that as well. Excuse the novel I've got going here, but it is very upsetting to me to see people say anything negative about this very nice man and his gorgeous venue. My husband and I loved it so much that we are planning to renew our vows at the Skinner Barn on our 10th anniversary. I suggest you check out the Peter and Skinner Barn for yourself before hopping to any false conclusions.

As the MC and brother-in-law of the bride for a wedding at Skinner Barn this October, I am obliged…read moreto write the following review in order to warn others of the hidden costs and tyrannical nature of the owner, Peter Boynkin. I should start by saying my family had a wonderful time and a beautiful wedding at the barn. The setting and the interior are great, perfectly rustic, and we could not be more thrilled with the outcome. Most importantly, the bride loved it. However, the interactions with the owner, Peter, were inconsistent in their messaging from day one, and ended very poorly. Peter is a former actor who moved to VT and bought the barn where he hosts performances in addition to weddings. Being an actor, he is adept at turning on the charm and selling you up front as he did my sister-in-law. However when it comes to the week and day of the wedding he shows a different side: 1) Springing hidden, not previously mentioned costs at the last minute when its impossible to back out. $75 PER HOUR to set up and rehearse. Why not charge a flat fee and put it in the contract? 2) Walking around micro-managing various aspects of the wedding day, including being rude to guests who don't follow his meticulous parking instructions. 3) The topper: at the end of the night with the wedding party understandibly looped and on a high, demanding that we BREAK DOWN THE ENTIRE venue THAT NIGHT (we did a lot of the wedding ourselves). This was at 10pm at night! Unbelieveable because Peter had agreed up front (verbally) to let us come back the day after to pick up our items such as tablecloths, a photobooth, table settings, etc. He also said several times "well it's in the contract" (news to us) and showed zero empathy when we reasonably explained we were in no state to do so, had not been informed of this UNTIL THAT MINUTE, and would be back tomorrow to pick up our things. It was thankfully a minor blemish on a wonderful night. But it left a terrible taste in our mouths. The next day when we returned to gather our things, Peter had left them outside the locked barn, and would not even cross the street from his house to speak to us. Maybe he was practicing a new role: bi-polar asshole. If so, well done Peter, we think you nailed it.

Abundant blueberries, adorable farm-store, beautiful views, miles of hiking trails, and more are…read morewaiting for you to discover at Mad River Valley's storied and iconic Knoll Farm.

This place was awesome. Tons of berries! Staff was really nice. If you bring your own containers…read morethey charge by the pound and it saves quite a bit of money. The berries are organic, farm fresh eggs, lamb, and popsicles. My children and I had a great time. I'm so glad I went.

A lovely pizza spot in Middlebury town, I was able to enjoy the food here during my senior week and…read moremeeting with fellow graduating members of my housing commons. The pizza was delicious and I am thankful that Cook Commons opted for a restaurant reception.

I came here for a Middlebury College senior night and stuffed myself so full of incredible pizza…read morethat I nearly had to be rolled out. I probably ate two whole pizzas by myself (and I'm not a large person by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I a guy). The mushroom pizza was my personal favorite, but that's always been my favorite kind of pizza so it shouldn't come as any surprise.

Staying at the Chipman Inn was the highlight of my sister's and my trip to Vermont. Nestled in the…read moresmall mountain town of Ripton, the Chipman Inn offers a cozy, timeless stay with incredible hospitality from the owner, Colleen. We ended up at the inn under stressful circumstances after my sister began experiencing leg pain at the start of our trek on the Long Trail. After kind Vermonters gave us a ride into town, we started calling around for a place to stay. Although the inn was fully booked, Colleen generously offered us a room that had not yet been renovated. From the moment we arrived, our nerves settled into the relaxed pace the Inn embodies. The newly renovated spaces are beautifully designed with muted greens and dusty blues that feel both classic and inviting. The inn has a touch of English charm with an eclectic style that feels effortless and understated. The beds were incredibly comfortable and clean, the surrounding landscape was stunning, and everyone we met in Ripton was so welcoming. Locals happily offered us rides to nearby restaurants and beautiful swimming spots along the river, making us feel like part of the community. I highly recommend staying in Ripton over the more built up neighboring town of Middlebury. We had already booked a night there and stayed the following evening, but it simply could not match the warmth, charm, and whimsy of the Chipman Inn. The food was another highlight. Colleen made us an amazing breakfast sandwich, a delicious latte, and a refreshing berry smoothie that were the perfect start to the day. I must say, the coffee in Vermont does not miss! We left feeling genuinely cared for and are so grateful for Colleen's kindness and hospitality. We will absolutely be back! Note: the current photos on the yelp and Google pages do not reflect the Inns current conditions! Check out their website for the updates space!

Authentic Turkish Food Day/Night Menu offers a unique dining experience in the community. The…read moreChipman Inn is collaborating with a local Chef in introducing the authentic dine in or take out Turkish Meals, Drinks, and desserts... Think Turkish Pide-similar to pizza-soft bread stuffed with your choice of lamb, beef or vegetables with savory Turkish Spices and a small Salad. Chicken Kebabs with pita, salad and a yogurt dressing. Generous portions and a classy presentation on each plate. Owner Elizabeth greets all patrons and takes time to share the history of the Chipman Inn -such as Poet Robert Frost's Snowshoes on display above a colonial fireplace with a charming Beehive oven attached. (A must see!). During the meal the dining room was full, charming and yet a relaxed dining experience with an attentive waitstaff. I highly recommend a visit on Mondays for authentic Turkish Food...truly authentic and delicious and worth the drive! Thank you Elizabeth!

At River Road Farm, we love working with Vermont Farms Catering! Their commitment to farm-to-table…read morecuisine shines through in every dish, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that highlight the best of Vermont's flavors. Their menus are creative, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious--always a hit with couples and guests alike. Beyond the incredible food, their team is professional, easy to work with, and dedicated to making each event seamless and special. If you're looking for a top-tier Vermont catering company that delivers both exceptional quality and service, Vermont Farms Catering is an outstanding choice!

So happy with the food at our wedding!! Between the rehearsal dinner, appetizers and reception,…read moreeveryone continued to share how delicious the food was. Kevin and Katie are great and we highly recommend them!! Thank you guys for everything!!