Steve N.
Yelp
The Made Inn is perfect and after a single stay last weekend, it has quickly become one of my favorite places I've ever stayed.
Where to begin?
My fiancee and I were both new to the bed & breakfast experience and weren't sure what to expect. As we're both kind of shy, we didn't know if staying in a b&b with it's more intimate setting would be sort of awkward with other guests and/or host. Well, let me get this outta the way, at the Made Inn, it couldn't be less awkward and that is 100% a credit to Linda, the owner/designer.
When we pulled up the long and narrow driveway, we were so warmly greeted by Linda who was busy buzzing around, tidying up, and getting ready for that night's new arrivals. Immediately, I was impressed and charmed by this place. The house is a beautiful Victorian, with impeccable landscaping, a great front farmer's porch and lovely back patio. I was way into it before we even stepped inside. We got the car parked, and once inside met with Linda to receive the grand tour.
Right away, I felt at home. I grew up the son of a designer, so my family bought and refurbished several old homes as a kid, including a grand Victorian, a lot like the Made Inn. It was simply gorgeous. Beautiful classic woodwork, high ceilings, and humongous doorways opened to each room on the first floor, but what put it over the top was Linda's style and interior design. She is able to mix modern design elements with a classic space and her touch of whimsy makes for a truly enchanting experience. There are musical instruments in nearly every room, which are encouraged to be played (I can't), and classic and vintage board games are tucked away in different pockets of the home. There are adorable little tsotchkes that compliment the design as well, from ukuleles, to super-hip books, magazines, and Heady Topper flower vases (if you don't know about Heady Topper and are in VT, do some research). None of it seems tacky or forced, but expertly curated and fun and interesting.
Anyway, we were led to the kitchen which was beautiful as well, with white tiles, loads of refreshments, and a vintage card catalog with everything you might need but may have forgotten on your trip such as band aids, toothpaste, etc. Linda insists that you come down to the kitchen as often as you'd like to help yourself to coffee or tea or anything else you'd like. From there, the kitchen leads to the back deck and patio area, complete with the hot tub, which again, she insisted we use. It is private and closed in with shrubbery that is lit with white lights at night. Just great.
We then were shown our room, with chalkboard walls to write on and more fun stuff we were encouraged to explore. The bed was soooo comfortable, too. Cloud like. The bathrooms are not en suite, but that didn't bother me at all. Every guest still gets their own bathroom and ours had white subway tiles and a claw foot tub and shower. It was terrific.
Our last stop on Linda's tour was the Widow's Walk on the top level. Wow. A private little cupola with 360 degree views of Vermont and Lake Champlain? Are you kidding me? She mentioned that it was a great place to see the sunset, and I don't doubt it was, but I'm kicking myself for not going up to see it.
As we were getting unpacked, Linda gave a gentle knock and offered us margaritas or sangria and of course we indulged. A couple minutes later and we had our margaritas and the rest of the night to ourselves. We went out for dinner, but opted out of poking around Burlington any further that night because we were dying to get back to the Inn.
The following morning, our shyness kicked back in, if only a little bit. Would we be eating communally with strangers? Nope, and again, Linda took care of that. She warmly greeted us and showed us the morning's menu which looked delicious. An omelet with three-year aged vermont cheddar and asparagus, local maple bacon, hash browns, and/or curant french toast with nuts? While we were trying to decide, Linda just insisted we'd get it all and offered us a few private places to eat. We chose the front porch and it was just. so. perfect. She brought us fresh-squeezed juice and that day's New York Times and I never wanted to leave. My fiancee and I have already discussed making it a regular visit.
After all this said, I still don't think words can do the Made Inn justice. It's just that unique and terrific.