The coach had ground its way up the winding mountain road and now the lights of Stratton Mountain Inn,
a long low wooden building, twinkled before us. John, our guide, emerged from reception with our room keys. A nearby side door gave access and we found our room almost at once. Entering we found a hotel room similar to most others. Looking out through the window though there was a difference - total darkness. In about 15 minutes our cases arrived at the door.
Checking the TV for e-mail access to send a message home, I found none so I headed for the lobby. There the floor to ceiling stone fireplace with a crackling log fire surrounded by comfortable furniture was cosy. Leading off the lobby were entrances to a bar/diner in the basement and the Chimneys Restaurant for finer dining. Unfortunately, though, the Inn had no Internet access.
Later we headed for the bar/diner and squeezed in on two high stools at the bar. I could imagine skiers crowding in eager for a pint after a day on the slopes. Being from the UK I had to decipher the menu. How can one have ‘Blazing Buffalo Wings’ I wondered- can buffalos fly? Finally I settled for soup and something that I thought was some kind of chicken dip. A salad arrived as a starter. The soup was good country fare and I couldn’t find the chicken in the latter. Washed down by ‘Trail’ beer it filled the void.
Afterwards we had coffee in our room courtesy of the Coffee-Maker provided. I watched TV for a bit while my wife continued her holiday reading. Eventually we turned in. The queen beds were comfortable and no sounds disturbed the night. We awoke refreshed and a hot shower further pepped us up – the Inn also has a hot tub and sauna.
A visible wooded slope now stretched below our window. An empty outdoor swimming pool, and two tennis courts sat forlornly near the building. Breakfast was in the Chimneys Restaurant, a big barn of a place with a lofty floor to ceiling stone fireplace. It was self-service with a choice of a fry up or a continental breakfast. I went for masses of bacon, sausages, hash browns and scrambled eggs - on vacation I pile my plate high. A waitress wandered around the tables filling up cups with coffee or tea. We booked a meal for the evening - the Chimneys Restaurant serves classic Vermont dishes.
The next morning we strolled through the alpine village to the white clock tower marking the village centre. Gift shops and accommodation blocks abound although the Stratton Mountain Inn with its 120 rooms and 91 lodge units is the largest Inn on the mountain. Stratton Mountain Resort is a top ski destination in the east. In the summer, golf, tennis, hiking and mountain biking make for an energetic time. In the fall, foliage brings the tourists in.