Condé Nast Traveller Finds a Storybook Home Away from Home
Charlie Hobbs Takes a Vacation (to Winvian)
On a recent visit to Winvian, Condé Nast Traveller Associate Editor Charlie Hobbs found himself immersed in a storybook experience. Noting Winvian’s luxurious take on “whimsy by way of Connecticut cottage-core,” Hobbs praised our unique approach to hospitality—elegant, familial, and thoroughly one-of-a-kind.
Hobbs visited while snow was on the ground. Rather than retreating to his cottage, he enjoyed a leisurely walk around the estate, noting the convivial warmth of other guests, including a good-natured dog staying in one of our canine-friendly cottages. A cup of peppermint tea and some time “by a crackling fire in the wood-clad lobby” warmed not only hands but spirits and Hobbs understood, as so many of our guests do, that there is no wrong weather for a trip to Winvian.
Insights and Delights at the Spa at Winvian
Hobbs included his mother in an afternoon at the Spa. Each one of them came away impressed by the skilled technicians onsite. Hobbs’s mother appeared “glowing” after a vitamin-C facial, a perfect selection to counteract the drying impact of cold weather. Meanwhile, Hobbs was struck by the insights of his massage therapist, who gently noted a difference in his interior hip abductors, and explained to Hobbs their impact on his stance. In other words, The Spa at Winvian goes beyond surface level relaxation to deliver more personalized and impactful care. Additionally, Hobbs notes, it is a beautiful, welcoming space with amenities like a coed sauna allowing guests to extend their experience beyond their scheduled treatment.
Dining That is Better Than Fine
Describing Winvian’s cuisine as “extraordinarily fresh and seasonal,” Hobbs found that no matter where you dine—from in-room breakfast to lunch at Maggie’s or dinner at The Restaurant—you are sure to enjoy chef crafted dishes that showcase ingredients harvested right here on our estate. Yes, even in winter, our greenhouses grow abundant offerings under the careful tending of our gardeners.
Throughout his review, Hobbs expresses an appreciation for the Winvian aesthetic. He describes our Five Diamond designated Restaurant at Winvian as “a firelit spread of hallways and rooms such that you feel like you’ve snuck upstairs at a fancy party only to be seated at your own table with a white tablecloth.” That’s exactly the intimately private and playfully elegant ambiance we strive to create.
Our People Make the Place
Perhaps our favorite compliment in this highly complimentary review is Hobbs’s description of our staff as “perfectly attuned . . . to the needs of every guest.” Read the entire review to learn more about Hobbs’s experience, and why now is the perfect time to schedule your next escape to Winvian.
FAQs
Which Winvian cottages are dog-friendly?
Five of the cottages in our Cottage Collection are ready to welcome your canine companion. Connecticut Yankee, Greenhouse, Music, Stone and Stable accommodate dogs with advance notice. Please mention when booking and we will arrange for any additional amenities such as bowls and beds for your furry friend.
Does the Spa at Winvian offer seasonal facials?
Yes. Please review our service menu at time of booking. We offer signature facials, custom tailored to our clients’ needs, including aromatherapy, and targeted treatments to address seasonal challenges.
Does Winvian offer separate beds for guests who wish to sleep apart?
Some of our cottages offer additional sleeping options for children or companions wishing to share a cottage but sleep separately. Please speak with our reservation specialist when booking to ensure the best possible fit for your needs.