In November 2005, we stood in the driveway of West Hill House B&B, looked out across the Mad River Valley, and knew our search was over. It had taken us almost 15 months and visits to 50 properties to find the right place for our next life adventure together as B&B owners. But the moment we saw this beautiful, renovated Vermont farmhouse and the hills that cradled it, something clicked. It felt like coming home to a place we’d never been. (Thanks, John Denver!)
We became the owners in April 2006, and over the nearly 20 years since, that feeling has only deepened. West Hill House B&B has welcomed thousands of guests from around the world – skiers, hikers, leaf peepers, honeymooners, couples getting married or coming to weddings, and curious travelers looking for a genuine Vermont experience. While they all arrived as visitors to the Mad River Valley, many left as friends, returning again and again over the years. Sharing this special corner of Vermont with so many people has been one of the great joys of our lives.
Just as important has been the wider Mad River Valley community that embraced us from the very beginning. We quickly learned that this is a place where people care deeply about one another, about the land, and about the future. One of Susan’s earliest projects was helping coordinate the “rescue” of what became the Travel I kiosk alongside Route 100 in Warren with other volunteers, including Graham Hewison of the then Sugartree Inn who designed and helped build the signs. For many years thereafter, we, along with our housekeeper, other volunteers and the support of the MRV Chamber of Commerce, helped maintain it until StewardMRV kindly took over its ongoing care a couple of years ago.
Peter has been equally engaged, serving on the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce board, later as board chair, and also on the Mad River Valley Planning District Steering Committee. We have always believed that being innkeepers is not just about running a business, but about being part of a living, breathing community. West Hill House B&B has been proud to support many local nonprofits and charities over the years – organizations that help ensure this Valley remains caring, resilient, and forward-looking.
We have also been deeply grateful for the many local businesses and individuals who worked with us to help deliver the level of service our guests came to expect – from tradespeople and farmers to restaurateurs, guides, the recreation areas and organizations, and the many community organizations. Any success we enjoyed was always a shared effort.
That success was humbling to see recognized, whether through successive TripAdvisor awards, being named Vermont Innkeepers of the Year by the Vermont Chamber in 2019, or Peter being the first recipient of the Mad River Valley Chamber’s “Be Better Award” sponsored by Win Smith. These honors meant so much because they came from the community and guests we care about.
After much discussion over many years about what might come next, we have decided it is time to return to Ottawa, Ontario, where we have family and long-standing friends. It is a return to where we were before coming to the United States in 1994 for Peter’s earlier career in telecommunications.
West Hill House B&B will continue under new owners Teresa and Eric, and we wish them every success as they begin their own chapter here. While we are sad to be leaving the Mad River Valley and the many friends we have made, we do so with full hearts and 20 years of wonderful memories. Thank you for welcoming us, for supporting us, and for allowing us to be part of this remarkable place.
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