Stone Hearth Inn and Eatery

I visit Vermont almost every year to visit with a friend from my college days. This year, I brought another friend along and we added an extra night so we could experience the 'new' 200+ year old Stone Hearth Inn - and what an incredible experience we enjoyed. The new owners took over the reigns in 2021, a feat most of us would have shied away from as the hospitality business was still weak from the havoc of 2020. In the nearly 2 years since, they have been bringing the Inn back to life from top to bottom - exposing original hard wood floors covered for decades while updating all the rooms with new furnishings, beds and the modern amenities travelers demand today, like Keurig coffee makers. The family of 3 bring together two culinary experts and the business expertise to create a warm and inviting experience while at the same time preserving and aging structure long overdue for updates and love. You'll arrive as a stranger and leave feeling like family! From the moment we pulled in the drive, the sprawling historic home with beautiful lawns and an inviting porch greet you. You have arrived in another time - and that continues the moment you walk in the front door. Be it the wide plank original hard wood floors or 'stone hearth' fireplace, or a warm greeting from Innkeeper Vicky, you're in for a wonderful stay. Our rooms were on the second floor overlooking the peaceful acres of green space behind the Inn - a true Vermont view, even green on a rainy day. Rooms were spotless with everything in working order - including WIFI, which is free. The sitting room and guest dining room provide for space to unwind, relax and enjoy conversation, no cell phones required! During our stay, the public dining spaces were not open yet as they are under complete renovation. However, guests can still enjoy the amazing food created by talented chefs Georgia & Connor, as we did. The menu changes based on the freshest locally sourced foods available with each season. I cannot wait to return once the full dining operation is open. That said, for guests, we get to experience an amazing breakfast in the dining area of the Inn (for guests only). Like most small Inns (there are 8 rooms here), breakfast options include 2 or 3 choices and the menu was posted in the dining room. You're sure to enjoy the peaceful view overlooking the outdoor green space. Older Inns, like older hotels, are a continuous work in progress. In chatting with Vicky and her family, they have such incredible plans. The rooms and guest common areas are already done as they embark on the restaurant section now. Overall, you're going to have incredible hospitality in a historic home & Inn with chef crafted food - what more could you ask for in Vermont? I would not hesitate to recommend and I can't wait to return when the restaurant operations are in full swing.

This is a newly acquired property by a family that are just getting started. There were a few issues, mainly the mediocre quality of the dinner and breakfast. It was adequate but certainly not what we had expected after chatting with the hostess. Vicky is a lovely person and made us feel very welcome but she raised our expectations regarding the food on offer and it just didn't meet those expectations. Breakfast is basically a choice of eggs on toast. Sorry but I have to be honest for future guests. The room was nice, clean and had everything we needed. The bath towels were extremely small, barely bigger than the hand towels, So, overall, a good stay but certainly room for improvement.

The best way to start this review is to begin with the low-budget refurbishing of a once delapidated house. Begin with painted over wallpaper, cheap bed frames and mattress (no box spring), simple and unattractive curtains with nailed in curtain rods. Bathrooms are appointed with very low-cost towels that you'd expect from a motel, not a B&B where room costs exceed $200/night. Move towards the kitchen/restaurant and endure the scent of mold/mildew. Next comes the breakfast offerings from the self-proclaimed "chefs" that apparently attended the Culinary Institute of America. Their breakfast consisted of only eggs w/toast or French toast, along with bacon or sausage. The eggs were very over cooked. The sausage was burned and dry and I'll assume leftover from the previous day. It was bad enough that I spit it out. No fresh fruit other than overly soft apples. Given it appeared bad upon arrival I was surprised that Vicky, the owner, would even attempt to serve it. Yet, she did without any hesitation. Overall, it's a very cheapened experience that I'd strongly advise you to avoid.

First time we've been back in several years. The new owners-both accomplished professional chefs-have done a super job renovating the whole place. For now they only do breakfast for inn guests and takeout for supper, but don't be deterred-the food is excellent, the rooms are comfortable, and it's a great location for skiers, antiquers, and sightseers. Thanks so much to Vickie who showed us great hospitality! We'll be back!

Best choice to stay at a Southern Vermont B&B. Location is convenient and not that far off I-91. Everyone goes out of their way to accommodate your needs. The breakfast at the Inn is 5 Star. We can’t wait to return for another stay. Thank you Vicky and family.