site map

Stunning Green Mountain views at Manchester View

August 2005 Review
"Your eyes will feast on the ever changing colors, as the clouds sweep across the hillsides..."

Manchester View guests always get to see a stunning view of the Green Mountains of Vermont near Manchester
The Green Mountains overlook the Manchester View near Manchester

One of Vermont's stunning vistas of the rolling Green Mountains is what greets you at the Manchester View, on historic Route 7A just a mile and a quarter north of Manchester Village. Almost all rooms at the Manchester View offer sweeping panoramas of lush green mountainsides. And, from the balconies of these rooms your eyes will feast on the ever changing colors, as the clouds sweep across the hillsides. This location is definitely a top pick at foliage time!

The Manchester View might look like a high class motel at first, but it is much more than that. It is a sort of cross between a motel and a hotel with a few surprises. Every room is different. There are luxury suites, wood burning fireplaces with big stone hearths, feather down beds with "satiny, silky sheets", and Jacuzzis in many of the rooms. The beds are firm and either King or Queen size.

You can stay in a cottage modelled after the Robert Frost era, complete with an enormous tub and period plumbing or relax in a two person spa in one of the luxury suites. Each room has a theme and each is furnished according to that theme. You'll fine custom made armoires for such things as the television or your clothes.

The atmosphere here is rustic even though Manchester View is only a few miles from Manchester's outlet stores, golf courses and a plethora of restaurants. Rustic rail fences surround the property. When we were here during late August, there were hay bales in a field across the road. Bees were busy in the flower beds collecting nectar. We could hear only the very distant rumble of traffic on Rout 7A because the Manchester View is set back about 100 yards from the highway.

 A rustic amosphere at the Manchester View - Hay Bailes in a neighboring field

Part of the Calvin Coolidge Suite at the Manchester View

Part of the Calvin Coolidge Suite at the Manchester View in Manchester Center, Vermont

There's been lodging in this location since 1950 when the Manchester View was known as the Manchester Motor Court. The current owners have been here for more than 28 years. During that time Pat and Tom Barnett have transformed the place into luxury lodging. Pat says there were only 12 rooms when they took over. By the end of 2005 there will be 36, each one of them unique. Much of the construction and finishing has been done by Tom. He has a clean uncluttered style which you would notice if you toured some of the rooms. He likes decorative plumbing fixtures. The decors are subdued and you are not overpowered by nik-knacks. Naturally there is A/C, wireless internet (wi-fi), a refrigerator, tv, vcr and in some cases DVD in most rooms.

There are scores of inns, hotels and motels in the Manchester area.You can order champagne and chocolates or a wine and cheese basket at the Manchester View It's one of the top tourism destinations in Vermont. Each hostelry provides an experience. Some are within easy walking distance of all the shops and others provide a more peaceful setting.

The Manchester View combines luxury accommodations along with a sense of space. The setting is romantic and panoramic...definitely worth a visit if you plan to be in the area.

Route 7A · P.O. Box 1268 · Manchester Center, VT 05255

Tel: 802.362-2739 Toll Free: 800-548-4141

Timothy Palmer-Benson, August 2005

Did you know that many of the photos seen here on Scenes of Vermont are available for sale and download on www.photosvermont.com?