Vermont Walking Tours, Meet the Inn Keepers and Their Bed and Breakfasts of Soutnern Vermont

The next four blogs will focus on the Innkeepers and their Southern Vermont Bed and Breakfasts.  Inn Victoria, a Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast will be this week's featured B&B.  Located in the village of Chester, "Vermont's Prettiest Painted Village", this beautiful 1851 Victorian and its owners Penny & Dan await your arrival.

After 30 years of marriage and 25 years of living the corporate life, we finally made the leap to our 30 year dream of having our own business, specifically a B&B. For years we asked ourselves how to get off the fast track of corporate life and actually take time to enjoy each other and other people. I believe we have found the balance! Our two oldest children have married and are leading successful lives. Our youngest is midway through school at Norwich University in Northern Vermont. This allows us the opportunity to follow the dream operating our own Vermont bed and breakfast.  

In August of 2010, Penny and I recommitted our vows through a wedding ceremony on an island in Casco Bay off the coast of Portland Maine. We invited 50 friends, surprised Penny with a wedding dress, lobster bake and boat ride out to the island. We had a fantastic time, but most importantly we decided that life together was getting shorter and our time together is more important to us than the corporate life.
We love people, we love serving with a gracious servant's attitude, and we enjoy watching people in our inn smile at the simple pleasures we are able to bring to them.

Our beautiful Victorian inn was built circa 1850, as a family residence for Dr. Abram Lowell (who gave his name to the nearby Lake and State park). He used the small building to the side (now Mr. Brown's Cottage) as his medical office. The building was later enlarged (circa 1880) by his son in law, George Hilton, who added the third story and mansard roof in the typical grandiose French second empire fashion. Known for many years as the Hilton house, Inn Victoria is the only example of this architectural style in the historic town of Chester.

After the days' 10 mile walk a very relaxing atmosphere awaits you at inn Victoria.  Shower or bathe, put your feet up and prepare for a wonderful evening of food and drink to replenish.  Many of our walking tour guests have enjoyed their short stay with us so much  that they have returned for additional days.

Penny and Dan Cote
Owners of Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast