FAQs
What time is check-in/check out?
Check-in begins at 3pm. Check-out is 11am. If you expect to arrive after 10pm, please call us so we can give you instructions on how to find your room. If you need to arrive earlier than 3pm, let us know and we'll see if we can accommodate. We can sometimes accommodate late check-outs as well.
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If we are out late, will we be able to let ourselves into our rooms?
Doors to the inn are always unlocked, so stay out as late as you'd like (note that restaurants and bars around here tend to close quite early). You can latch the door to your room from the inside.
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What are the closest main airports?
Burlington International Airport is just under an hour from the inn. Montreal's Trudeau International Airport is about 2 1/2 hours away, though bear in mind that there is an international border you'll need to cross so bring passports. Boston's Logan Airport is a little over 3 hours from the Mad River Valley.
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Are there ADA compliant rooms at the Featherbed Inn?
The inn was first built in 1806, and unfortunately retrofitting the inn for accessibility would be extremely challenging if not impossible. We do have one room (the Susan Suite) on the main floor, which we have renovated to be able to accommodate guests with some mobility issues (there is a walk-in -- but not roll-in -- shower with grab bars and a shower bench). Please let us know what your needs are, and we'll do what we can do to accommodate.
Are dogs allowed at the Featherbed Inn? How about children?
Dogs are welcome in our cottage rooms (Brittany Cottage, Shelley, Phillipa, and Ellen). We add a cleaning fee for dogs, of $60 flat fee plus $10 per night per dog. Service dogs are always allowed, in any room. We welcome children of all ages.
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Do any pets live at the inn?
We have a cat, named Luna, who has agreed to allow guests to stay at her inn. She is not allowed in guest rooms, but she is often found hanging around the common rooms. Luna is a Russian Blue, and she is hypo-allergenic (meaning that most allergy sufferers find that they are comfortable around her).
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How far is the inn from town? From ski mountains?
While our extensive grounds make it feel like the Featherbed Inn is deep in the wilderness, in fact we are just a minute or two from all the shops and restaurants in Waitsfield, eight minutes to Warren, and 20 minutes to Waterbury. We are just eight minutes from both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. There are a myriad of other activities nearby, most of which are listed on our Activities pages.
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Are there mountain bike trails nearby?
We're glad you asked! We have direct access to 40 miles of intermediate and advanced single-track mountain bike trails right from our grounds. There is a network of beginner and intermediate trails about 10 minutes away, at Blueberry Lake. These trails are also perfect for hiking and trail running, and for snow shoeing and fat biking in the winter. The woods behind the Inn where these trails are would also be good for some adventurous back country skiing.
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Are there spa facilities at the Featherbed Inn?
We have an impeccably clean outdoor 6+ person hot tub for our guests a few steps from the sun deck next to the Inn. As of late summer 2024, we will also offer guests complimentary use of our new 8+ person sauna and dunk tub next to the hot tub, creating a spa zone in our gardens.
Are there fireplaces and/or firepits?
There's a large fieldstone fireplace in one of our living rooms and a soapstone woodstove in the other. There is a Solo stove on the sun deck (which is also near the spa zone), and a large firepit near the pond.
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Is there swimming on the property?
We have a delightful swimming pond on the property and there's a great swimming hole in the Mad River just across the road from the Inn. The Mad River has numerous other swimming holes nearby, including the infamous Warren Falls, and Blueberry Lake is a crystal clear lake just 10 minutes away, perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking, with lovely mountain views.
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Do rooms have individually controlled air conditioning and heat?
Yes, each guest room has its own mini-split heat pump, enabling guests to control room temperature however makes them comfortable.
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What is included in the room rate?
A three-course breakfast is served every morning starting (generally) at 7:30am through about 9:30am. Guests who would like breakfast earlier or later can let us know, and we can usually accommodate. We have a hot tub for guests, and by late summer 2024 we will also have a complimentary sauna. We provide afternoon treats most days. We offer free on-site parking, high speed Wi-Fi, level 2 EV charging, and daily housekeeping.
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What do you serve for breakfast, and are you able to accommodate different dietary needs?
Our breakfasts are probably unlike anything you've ever had. We like to serve foods that often surprise and delight our guests, with dishes like shakshuka, dark chocolate puffed pancakes, chorizo verde hash, and potato latkes with chipotle crema, smoked salmon, and poached eggs. We get all of our breakfast meats and eggs from local farmers, and in the summer pretty much all of the produce we serve is local. Each breakfast also includes a freshly baked scone and a fruit course, such as a charred plum with goat cheese and black pepper, or a baked grapefruit with brown sugar and Madeira, or sliced peach over house-made ricotta and a drizzle of local honey. We've never encountered a dietary restriction we could not meet...please let us know in advance if you have specific dietary needs. We always have cereal or simple eggs and toast available for guests whose palates are less adventurous.
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Are snowshoes, mountain bikes, or other gear available?
We have several pairs of snowshoes and micro-spikes available for guests to borrow, and we're happy to direct you to the miles snowshoe trails just off our meadow (or suggest other trails and areas for you to explore). We do not provide mountain bikes, kayaks, canoes, river tubes, or stand-up paddleboards, but we are happy to connect you with rental shops nearby.
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Can I bring liquor, beer, or wine into the inn?
As we made the decision not to have a liquor license, guests may bring their own beer, wine, or spirits to the inn. We have a variety of glasses and bottle openers, and guests are welcome to enjoy their drinks (responsibly) in our living room, on our porch, or on our grounds.
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Do I need a car? Are there taxis or public transportation available?
You really should have a car. There are a couple of taxi services to bring guests to and from the airport (try Vermont Taxi 802-798-2572) and one Lyft driver (720-985-0351), but you'll be much happier if you have your own transportation. In the winter the Mad Bus makes runs from the Valley floor to Sugarbush (though it does not have an official stop at the Featherbed Inn).
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Do you have EV chargers?
Yes, we have complimentary level 2 EV charging for our guests.
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Do guests have access to a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker?
Guests staying in the Brittany Cottage, the Shelley Room, the Phillipa Room, and the Ellen Room have access to fully equipped kitchens. For guests staying in the main house, we have a refrigerator downstairs that they are welcome to use. There is an electric kettle and a French press, as well as a variety of teas and hot chocolate, in the dining room. Unless we're in the middle of making breakfast, guests can use the microwave in the inn's kitchen.
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Do guests have access to laundry facilities? Housekeeping services?
As we wash (and dry and iron) all of our own linens, our washing machine is in pretty much constant use. We can, however, occasionally let guests use our laundry. Please ask if you need to use an iron, and we'll set you up. We provide daily housekeeping services.
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Does the inn serve dinner?
We do not. There are more than a dozen restaurants nearby, and we're happy to make suggestions, and you are welcome to bring take out back to the Inn.
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What is the cancellation policy?
Due to the size of the Inn, cancellations affect us significantly and therefore necessitates we maintain a business policy. Once you make your reservation, if you should change or cancel at any time, there is a $25 cancellation fee. Should you change or cancel your reservation within 21 days of arrival, you would be responsible for the entire amount due. We will attempt to rebook your room should this happen and if we are successful we may provide you with credit for a future stay. If you are concerned that you might need to cancel within the 21-day window, we suggest purchasing trip insurance.