WOODSTOCK, Vt.—With personal artifacts, books, and artwork from the private Rockefeller archives at 30 Rockefeller Center on display, the newly renovated lobby, library, and public spaces of the Woodstock Inn & Resort embraces its federal roots with echoes of its founders throughout.
Reopened in 1969 as the Woodstock Inn by Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller, the Inn became the community centerpiece of their conservation efforts that led to the establishment of the surrounding Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in 1992, the only national park in Vermont, and preservation of The Billings Farm and Museum. And now, their presence, influence, and lives are celebrated in subtle and substantive ways as a result of recent enhancements.
“Over the course of its 200-plus year history from its inception in 1793 as Richardson’s Tavern to its current form as a luxury resort as envisioned by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller, the Woodstock Inn & Resort has continually evolved to meet the growing needs of the community of Woodstock and visitors to this region of the Green Mountains,” said Gary S. Thulander, president and general manager. “More than ever, the Inn provides a true sense of place that complements our growing outdoor leisure pursuits and fine dining to provide well-rounded, four-season experiences for guests.”
The key designer of the project is Paul Duesing of resort interior design and architecture firm Paul Duesing Partners of Dallas. With nearly 100 five-star hotels and resorts in his design portfolio, including Capella Pedregal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico), Tucker’s Point Club (Bermuda), and the Royal Livingstone (Victoria Falls, Zambia), Duesing’s designs always stay true to the local environment while addressing a complete sensory experience for guests.
The Inn’s first-floor lobby and library have been transformed into a reflection of a classic New England federal-period living room, with carefully spacious furniture arrangements that create small gathering areas. The Inn’s over-sized wood-burning fireplace, a favorite of generations of guests, is the focal point of the lobby space that now features abundant seating for individuals and small groups.
Arriving to the hotel, guests enter through high-gloss black painted doors into a black and white marbled vestibule with an 1880’s era bamboo hat rack stocked with resort umbrellas. Seated check-in now occurs at two oversized partner desks in front of the open book cases that hold the collection from Laurance Rockefeller. The concierge-style check-in ensures guests can have questions answered and dinner and spa reservations swiftly made on arrival. A semi-private guest service area adjacent to check-in and surrounded by antiques provides full concierge services.
Among the most significant Federal-era enhancements to the lobby are the installation of hand-scraped herringbone American walnut flooring, boldly saturated Benjamin Moore heritage paint colors, historic Schumacher brocade wallpaper used to define a separate lounge, a newly installed coffered ceiling, and a five-foot circular ottoman in front of the fireplace.
Richly patterned area carpets add warmth and contrast to the brightly colorful upholstered furniture. Antiques original to the building, including a grandfather clock, console tables, and a colonial bench among other pieces, are artfully placed among newer furnishings from Vermont-based artisans such as a custom newspaper and magazine case from Shackleton Thomas and hurricane sconces from Simon Pearce.
Under the watchful eye of a younger Laurance Rockefeller in a rarely seen portrait from his days as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy, guests in the library will find intimate seating areas to read, enjoy a quiet game of backgammon or complete a Stave puzzle, hand-crafted wooden puzzles made in Norwich, VT. The surrounding bookcases feature recent best sellers as well as an eclectic mix of classic and current books.
Following renovations to the front drive, great lawn and entry way, visitors will find a more thoroughly engaging outdoor experience with sweeping views of the hotel’s front lawn and Woodstock’s Village Green beyond. This work involved removal of the brick wall that bordered the lawn and front driveway to add a grand stairway leading to the porte cochère and the hotel’s entrance. Improvements to the porte cochère include gas lanterns from the ceiling and at either side of the front doors.
The enhancements touched on other public areas of the hotel and into the guest rooms. Woodstock’s fine dining restaurant, The Red Rooster, has been refreshed with new paint, artwork, and lamps that coincide with new spring and summer menus inspired by the resort’s own 2.5 acre, certified organic Kelly Way Gardens. Additional antique furnishings were also added to enhance the restaurant’s ambiance. The sun-filled conservatory, the ideal spot for morning coffee and complimentary homemade cookies in the afternoon, features designed-for-comfort wicker sofas and chairs. Each guest room received a complete overhaul of its bed and bedding.
“Woodstock Inn & Resort has a responsibility to the community and to the vision of Laurance Rockefeller to provide an exemplary experience for all of our guests,” said Thulander. “Each and every detail of the renovations and enhancements were thoughtfully considered with that responsibility in mind, and with the goal to create a vibrant and true ‘sense of place’ throughout.”
