A Review of the Winvian Hotel in Connecticut
"Set on 113 acres of pastoral hills in Litchfield County, CT, this wildly whimsical Relais & Châteaux compound began as the clapboard home of an eccentric 18th-century doctor and now comprises 18 distinct cottages and one suite after a transformation led by 15 architects. Operated by mother-daughter proprietors Maggie Smith and Heather Smith Winkelmann, the AAA Five‑Diamond property features highly themed cottages such as Beaver Lodge (with an intricately carved dam over the bed), Treehouse, Library (complete with ladder and celestial skylight), Golf, Artist, Music, and Helicopter, plus an on‑site spa offering everything from therapeutic massages and sound baths to restorative sculpting facials administered by lead esthetician Lauren. Culinary offerings range from an upstairs fine‑dining room where Executive Chef Chris Eddy sources from on‑site gardens—think vibrant salads with fresh berries, hand‑rolled pasta in earthy ragout, and perfectly roasted local game with just‑picked root vegetables—to Maggie’s Tavern, a cozy bar and fireplace spot for cheesy paninis, soups, charcuterie, shuffleboard, and standout cocktails or wines. Amenities include an infrared sauna, a 40‑foot outdoor pool, complimentary cottage bikes (and rentable e-bikes), a Volvo house car program, and a broad roster of fitness, cooking, and art classes; typical rates run roughly $825–$1,600 per night. Guests booking directly may receive perks such as an upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two, a $100 food & beverage credit, early check‑in/late‑check‑out (subject to availability), and complimentary Wi‑Fi."
