April L. Dowd photo
An establishment recently featured by TASTE FORTRAVEL has been named one of 2008's "Top 10 Most Romantic Inns of the Year" by American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com.The Reluctant Panther Inn in Manchester Village, VT, owned by Jerry and Liz Lavalley, is the latest incarnation of a historic inn that was razed by fire in October 2005, then rebuilt and expanded for a November 2006 re-opening. (See full story here.)
In September 2007, the Lavalleys were given the "Innkeeper of the Year Award" by the state of Vermont and in November 2007 they received a national award from Santé Magazine for their spirits and hospitality program.
Inns were selected to the Top 10 list for attributes including scenic settings, interior beauty and sense of place, hospitality and overall romantic mystique. There are more than 19,000 inns and bed and breakfasts nationwide.
The award and review process involved both staff from as well as industry experts and involved with inns, innkeepers and guests on the road, on the phone, on the web, and in debate among its staff and its travel writers.
According to American Historic Inns’ President Deborah Sakach, “We believe our efforts have produced a wonderfully unique selection of the country's best inns that give each guest the opportunity to experience the ultimate in romantic travel. All the inns we selected specialize in the gift of romance for you and the love of your life.”
The other establishments selected for the list:
Landrum, SC -- The Red Horse Inn
Lahhaina, HI -- Ho’oilo House
Valparaiso, IN -- Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast
Hannibal, MO -- Garth Woodside Mansion
Sharon, PA -- Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa
Leavenworth, WA -- Run of the River,
Newport, RI -- Hydrangea House
McHenry, MD -- Lake Pointe Inn Bed & Breakfast
Juneau, AK -- Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa
ON THE WEB
• American Bed & Breakfast Association
• B&B Inns Online
• Romantic Inns & Hotels
• Dowd's Guides
