Family Weeks at Whimsical Winvian Resort

Dining

Chef Chris Eddy, who has worked with superstar chefs Daniel Boulud and Alain Ducasse, is the main attraction here and deservedly so. Meals are served in intimate dining rooms on the second floor of the main house. The prix fixe menu is ever-changing, based on seasonal products, with a few choices for each course. While everything we had was delicious (my husband raved about the Colorado lamb), this wasn’t the best choice for children; there was no kid’s menu. I found that for a resort promoting its family week, this was an odd oversight. We asked for plain pasta and vegetables for our daughter, but in another misstep, she was served her entrée with our appetizer course, leaving her with nothing to do while we ate. Good thing we had brought one of those adventure books from the Tree House.

The next morning, all was forgiven when we called for room service. Warned of the limited menu, due to the distance of the cottages from the kitchen, we said we’d be happy with a continental-style meal. Imagine our surprise when two staff members showed up laden with food. They set out dishes of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, granola, Greek yogurt, local honey, freshly squeezed orange juice, and several kinds of pastries with all the trimmings. They laid everything out in delicate china and poured our coffee before taking their leave, refusing a tip. If every continental breakfast were so fine!

• Each cottage at Winvian was specially designed with a theme in mind.
• Kim Foley MacKinnon

Overall, we enjoyed our luxurious escape. Although we’d been told the property was almost at capacity, we never saw very many people, including children. Maybe our paths never crossed, but it seemed like we had our own private weekend retreat. We could definitely see what Winthrop and Vivian had liked about the spot!

• Enjoying a tour of the Helicopter cottage.
• Kim Foley MacKinnon

If You Go

Rates are all-inclusive and include three meals, room service, snacks, afternoon tea and full bar (in room and throughout the property) and start at $1,450 per night, per couple. The children’s rate is an additional $550 per night. The only extras are spa services, premium wines and international phone calls. Children are welcome on scheduled dates throughout the year. Remaining dates in 2008 include: August 1-3, August 16-September 1, November 27-30 and December 24-28. 

15 Alain White Road, Morris, Conn. Tel. 860-567-9600. www.winvian.com