I have been wanting to visit the Red Lion Inn since I was young. I used to clip the ads from magazines. Always thought it sounded like a really cool, romantic place. It took me 50 years to finally get there, but it was worth the wait (and this year is their 50th anniversary of sorts - I think the Fitzpatrick family took it over in 1969). My significant other booked the trip. He did well. I initially thought I would have liked to stay in the original building, but we wound up in one of the guest houses, Maple Glen. I would highly recommend this accommodation. Very recently refurbed and absolutely lovely. We had a big, comfy king sized bed, with wonderful linens, comforter and quilt. Bathroom was wonderful too. Radiant heated floors, a huge walk in shower, great toiletries (took my soaps home - they are lovely), 2 cushy robes to use. We had a Keurig machine for that first cup of morning coffee, and there was a well stocked honor bar. Beautiful common space downstairs with a small kitchen, wood burning fireplace, sofas, chairs, lots of books. Just really comfy. I have stayed at several older resort hotels in the US. The rooms in the original inn will by nature be smaller, since everything was smaller back then - furniture, rooms, ceilings, and people! Be guided accordingly. Your trade off will be historical vs newer space. If you stay in one of the guest houses, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit the main inn. Lots of amazing common areas, including the vast rocking chair front porch, and the lobby area with many sofas and chairs - and Norman, the resident cat, who seems to be a huge aficionado of the lovely piano music that is played during dinner. We were also very fond of the Lion’s Den bar, which is downstairs below the inn. Friendly bartenders, a great selection of beer, wine and cocktails, and some little bar noshes to go along with your drinks. I could have spent quite a while there! We had dinner at the inn the 2 nights we were there. Widow Bingham’s Tavern has a lighter, funkier menu, while the main dining room serves classic New England comfort food (turkey dinner with all the fixings, prime rib au jus with a giant popover, very decent clam chowder). I thought the food was all very good, considering they are probably churning out a couple hundred meals on a busy night - perhaps even more, as they also serve food for the private meeting space). All of the staff we encountered could not have been nicer and more helpful, including our housekeeper who always had a cheery good morning for us. Front desk staff was extremely knowledgeable and efficient, as was the restaurants’ waitstaff. All in all, this was a solid 4 star experience!
