Vermont Sister Inns Share Honor as Top Vermont Lodging Choices

The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, VT and its sister property the Willoughvale Inn in Westmore, VT were recently highlighted in the New England Travel Journal’s Best of New England 2009 annual publication.

Says Donna Garlough, Senior Editor at Boston Magazine which publishes New England Travel, “We research exhaustively to establish our own choice picks of where to stay within the New England region. Our goal is to direct readers to properties which consistently deliver a quality experience. Criteria we consider in our selections include the level of hospitality, customer service, amenities and dining selections offered by hotels and inns.

“The Journal highlights places where a hotel or inn’s distinctive value is perceived the minute a guest walks in the door whether it’s the property’s location, setting, décor, furnishings. Maybe a place is deemed a favorite because it sets a great mood or ambience – whatever quality that lodging possesses which lets visitors understand they’re getting their money’s worth and that this is a place they want to stay.”

Says Innkeeper Patti Clark who oversees both the Green Mountain and Willoughvale inns, “We’re honored and thrilled to have both our sister properties included in the Journal’s Best of New England 2009. Our goal has always been to make sure our guests not only enjoy a memorable visit with us, but feel their hard-earned travel dollars are well spent. Both the Green Mountain Inn and the Willoughvale offer unforgettable getaways in the unique tradition of warm Vermont hospitality. Yet each property has its own special signature atmosphere, setting and amenities which we’re certain visitors will find equally inviting as well as distinctively unique. “

Nestled in the heart of picturesque Stowe village, the Green Mountain Inn has been a quintessentially New England respite for travelers for over 175 years. The Inn features 107 accommodations ranging from traditional guest rooms to luxury suites and townhouses. Dining options include the Main Street Dining Room as well as the famed Whip Bar and Grill.

Overlooking the spectacular panorama of Lake Willoughby, the equally historic Willoughvale Inn embraces the unspoiled beauty of its fabled Vermont Northeast Kingdom location. Guests may stay in one of 10 unique inn rooms, four cozy lakeview cottages as well as four breathtaking cottages situated directly along the shoreline.

WilloughVale Inn Head Chef Julian Borge Fuses Local and Fresh

Willoughvale Inn’s new head chef Julian Borge blends his Hawaiian origins, a yen for fusion cooking and the palate of a saucier to produce an array of interesting culinary offerings highlighted on this season’s menu at the Inn.

Borge began his lifelong love affair with cooking when he was a kid working at his parents’ homestyle restaurant in Hawaii. He left the islands at the age of 18 for the big lights and bigger restaurants of Las Vegas where his work took him to the MGM Grand, the Luxor and the 5-star rated Pahrump Valley Vineyard restaurant near the border between Nevada and California.

Borge formalized his training at the New England Culinary Institute in Essex, Vermont. After graduating, Borge eventually made his way to the Jay Peak resort where he worked for the past 5 years in the Hotel Jay’s restaurant as well as several other local eateries in the Newport and Derby area.

Says Innkeeper Roy Clark, “We’re delighted to welcome Julian to the Willoughvale. We’re certain our guests as well as travelers and local residents visiting the Inn will enjoy sampling traditional Vermont favorites prepared with Julian’s knack for blending and pairing local ingredients in new creative ways.”

Julian’s chef specialties and menu items are selected with an eye towards using the freshest Vermont produce and products. Borge’s expertise as a saucier is reflected in his interest in creating compotes, relishes and sauces designed to compliment dishes with innovative flavorings inspired by the area’s locally grown bounty.

The WilloughVale Inn, sister property to the Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, VT, is situated in an exquisite natural setting on the shores of Lake Willoughby in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom. Lodging and dining at the WilloughVale are gracious and relaxed, providing a perfect destination for vacationing in all four seasons. Accommodations at the WilloughVale Inn include ten unique Inn rooms, four cozy lakefront cottages and four lakeview cottages with all the comforts of home. Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is a wilderness jewel offering outstanding recreational activities year-round.

For more information, visit www.willoughvale.com or call 800-594-9102.

Adventures in the Kingdom!

The Northeast Kingdom is a year-round recreational paradise offering a wealth of outdoor adventures, cultural activities, special events and local attractions. This summer enjoy the vast Kingdom Trails for hiking and biking adventures. Visit the area's antique and specialty stores, farmers markets and county fairs.

The WilloughVale Inn makes getting away from it all easy. Experience the Kingdom Tails this season with our Adventure Package. Includes two nights lodging, continental breakfast daily, full suspension mountain bike rental including helmet and a pass to the Kingdom Trails. Starting from $132.

To book your package today, call 800-594-9102 or e-mail info@willoughvale.com.