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Rabbit Hill Inn
48 Lower Waterford Road
Lower Waterford, VT 05848
Owners/Innkeepers: Brian & Leslie Mulcahy
Phone: Local: 802-748-5168
Fax: 802-748-8342
Reservations: 800-762-8669
E-mail: info@rabbithillinn.com
Blog: http://rabbithillinn.com/blog
View Video: http://rabbithillinn.com/video.htm
Location: Located in the unspoiled Northeast Kingdom of Vermont; 3 hours north of Boston, Providence and Hartford. 2.5 hours from Montreal. Closest local airports: Manchester- Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Burlington Int’l Airport (BTV) - both 2 hours from the inn.
Directions from I -91 (New York/Connecticut/Western MA):
- From I-91 North or South, take exit 19 to I-93 North.
- Take Exit 1 onto Route 18 South for 6 miles to Inn
Directions from I-93 North (Boston):
- Take exit 44 onto Route 18 North for 2 miles to Inn.
- Accommodations
- Inn Facilities
- Dining
- Packages & Specials
- Things To Do
- Chef Bio for Chef Matthew Secich
- Innkeepers –Brian and Leslie Mulcahy
- Brief History
- Awards/Accolades/Associations
- 130 Word Description
- Photo Galleries - Visit Media Bank (Password = rabbit)
Nineteen enchanting and graciously appointed guestrooms and suites, each with their own unique decor style and personality. 14 rooms are located in the 1825 Main House, 5 are located in the 1795 Tavern Building. 3 categories are available ~ 9 Luxury Suites, 6 Superior Rooms, and 4 Classic Rooms. Luxury suites offer grand space, fireplace, double whirlpool tubs, and private porches or sundecks. Superior Rooms feature fireplace and full standard bath. Classic Rooms have more than ample space and full standard bath. Many capture glorious views of the White Mountains.
All rooms and suites feature: 
- Heavenly king or queen beds, many with canopies.
- Hypoallergenic comforters & pillows (A variety of feather, down and foam pillows are available)
- Luxurious micro-fiber bathrobes
- Lush Italian bath linens by Mascioni
- Full outfit of exclusive toiletries by Elemis Spa
- Coffeemaker, basket of coffees, teas and cocoa
- Iron and full size ironing board
- Hairdryer
- Make Up Mirror
- Individual temperature control / air conditioning
- Complimentary Internet access
- CD player/radio/alarm (some with MP3 docking). Selection of CDs.
- In-room DVD players available upon request
- All rooms have private full bath, some with double whirlpool tubs and separate showers
- Most rooms offer gas fireplaces
- One luxury suite is ADA approved, full handicap access
- Nightly candlelit turndown service
Room Rates:
Classic Rooms: $199 Superior Rooms: $259 Luxury Suites: $335 – 359.00
All rates are per night for 2 people and include afternoon tea & pastries, full candlelit breakfast, turndown service and all gratuities. No tipping is required or expected at the inn. Dinner and pub charges are additional.
~Add $40 in Peak Season: Mid-September to Late October, Christmas/New Year week.
- The Inn consists of two Federal-style buildings. The Main House (circa 1825) houses 14 guestrooms and all common rooms. This includes the Dining Room, Federal Parlor, Sitting Room and The Snooty Fox Pub. The Tavern Building (circa 1795) houses 5 guest rooms. Fireplaces can be found in all common rooms, and all but 4 guestrooms. Throughout the inn, one will find carefully chosen period antiques, some original to the house.
- There are several furnished sundecks and covered porches which capture glorious views of the White Mountains or lovingly tended gardens.
- Rabbit Hill sits on 15 acres of unspoiled countryside. Ten acres are dedicated to wooded trails, ideal for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. A gazebo is set aside the spring fed swimming pond and the popular horseshoe game area. A shuffleboard court sits in the back yard.
- From the front door, guests can wander down a dirt road to the Connecticut River or through the historic White Village of Lower Waterford (population ~ 70 people). Here one will see the quintessential white steeple church, an honor-system library and a handful of homes built over 200 years ago.
- Guests are drawn to the inviting common rooms after a full day of activity. Afternoon tea is served in the Federal Parlor. Handcrafted STAVE puzzles and assorted games lure guests to the sitting room. The Snooty Fox Pub comes alive at 5:30 each evening, offering full bar, wine and champagne selections and local brews.
- Spa Services: In-room massage services are available by reservation
A Vermont country inn dining experience as grand and memorable as the Northern Vermont landscape itself. Award-winning, creative and sophisticated cuisine in an intimate, romantic setting — elegant, yet comfortable and unpretentious.
Candlelit gourmet breakfast is served daily from 8:15 – 9:45 am beginning with a bountiful buffet of fresh baked treats, our famous homemade granola, fruit, yogurts and juices. What follows is a choice of two hot entrees such as apple cheddar crepes in a caramel sauce served with a spinach-orange-pecan salad.
Afternoon Tea and delicate pastries are served in the Federal Parlor from 2:00 - 5:30. In the warmer months, you will also find pitchers of lemonade to be enjoyed on the front porch.
Dinner is served nightly beginning at 6:00pm. Rabbit Hill Inn is known for imaginative New American and Classic 
cuisine, superlative service, and comfortable elegance. Chef Matthew Secichis a passionate "pasture to plate" chef. He begins with an uncompromising commitment to the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from the best local farms. In season, 90% of all foods are sourced from within 60 miles of the inn. Then he masterfully applies old world and new age techniques, unlimited imagination and artistry, topped with amazing attention to detail. Indescribable passion goes into every dish and the results are extraordinary. With advance notice, our Chef team can prepare special offerings for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions such vegetarian, gluten free, sugar free, or dairy free.
A Variety of Specials & Packages: Rates subject to change.
Romantic Vermont Getaway – Quietude & Romance starting at $530.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Champagne on ice and fine chocolates upon arrival
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- A CD of romantic music to take home
- All gratuities for staff
“Do Not Disturb” Romance packages for 3 or 5 Nights also available – starting at $1205.00
Zip Line Adventure Package – Exhilarating zip adventure and romantic luxury, all wrapped up in one package. Starting at $675.00.
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Champagne on ice and fine chocolates upon arrival
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two passes to Alpine Adventures Zip Tour
Wild Truck Safari Package - Action-packed off-road adventure combined with romantic luxury – starting at $569.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two passes to Alpine Adventures Zip Tour
- Two Mud Puddle cocktails in the Snooty Fox Pub
Biking In The Kingdom Package – Hit Kingdom Trails for an epic mountain bike experience, return to the inn for well earned relaxation - starting at $525.00.
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Heavenly picnic for two
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two passes & map to the Kingdom Trails (bike rentals avail, not included)
Mountain Top Picnic Package – Great hiking with majestic views atop Cannon Mountain, relax by the waterfalls for a delicious picnic – starting at $525.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Heavenly picnic for two
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two passes to the Cannon Mountain Tramway
Golf & Stay Package – Great Golf, three courses to choose from! Starting at $545.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Heavenly picnic for two
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Golf passes for two (18 holes w/ cart)
Snowmobiling Package – With a trusted guide from Alpine Adventures, conquer varied wintery terrain surrounded by breathtaking vistas – starting at $699.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two hour snowmobile tour (2 individual snowmobiles)
Ski & Stay Package – Take on the outstanding ski trails of Burke Mountain, then relax by the fire back at the Inn. Starts at $579.00
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- Intimate dinner on one evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Two full day passes to Burke Mountain
Cooking Class Culinary Getaways – For those passionate about food, this is a perfect way to pamper your soul, indulge your appetite and seriously enhance your culinary expertise. Starts at $760.00. Series held on specific dates.
- Two nights in romantic guest room (fireplace, double whirlpool tubs available)
- Full candlelit breakfast and Afternoon tea & pastries
- 4 hour cooking class (filled with plenty of “stove-side” tasting)
- Class dinner: 5 course chef tasting dinner with wine pairings on first evening
- Intimate dinner for two on second evening
- Signature turndown service nightly
- All gratuities for staff
- Written Chef recipes and custom Rabbit Hill Inn aprons
Special Discount Deals – “Hot Dates” discount packages available in off season periods. Be sure to visit site for all current special offers and discount packages.
Area Activities - There is so much to do and see here, from in-room massage torock climbing. It would nearlyimpossible to list everything. We offer you a sample of activities here. Full concierge services are available to create customized day planning for each guest. There are also several online sources which offer further details, area event calendars, and so forth. Visit Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism, NEK Chamber of Commerce, Discover St. Johnsbury, and Vermont Department of Tourism for more inforation.
Long ago, there lived a clever man by the name of Samuel Hodby. It was the late 1700's and hundreds of travelers passed through this very spot. Their journey carried them between the distant north of Montreal, Canada and the bustling American harbors of Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. Samuel knew that his land in Lower Waterford, Vermont was the mid-way point on this major trade route. And being a clever entrepreneur, he recognized that the weary tradesmen as well as loggers on the Connecticut River below needed a place to buy provisions, enjoy a bit of ale, and rest bodies tired by the 18 day round trip. And thus began the tradition of hospitality in what was to become Rabbit Hill Inn, and in what was then called the Samuel Hodby Tavern — an actual tavern, general store and provider of overnight lodging.
Noticing such activity in the area, Jonathan Cummings erected his home and workshop right next door to the inn. This structure consisted of 6 rooms – 2 per floor. The shop was located in what is today part of the foyer and all of the front dining room. The year was 1825 and the shop produced wagon wheels and sleigh parts as well as winnowing machines (used for separating grain).
Because it became obvious by the early 1830's that innkeeping was the truly profitable venture, Cummings sold his building to Fred Cross and a Mr. Hale, who had by now purchased the Samuel Hodby Tavern as well.
From that day forward, these buildings have remained as one property. It has run as an inn except for the years 1912 – 1957 when the inn and town buildings underwent restoration and this property was held as a private residence. What follows is a brief chronology of ownership as records reflect:
- 1795 Hodby Tavern & General Store is built
- 1825 Jonathan Cummings builds Main House as his shop & home
- 1832 Nathan Bishop purchases the Cummings home as his private residence
- 1834 Fred Cross & O.G. Hale purchase both houses and open Fred Cross’s Churn, a travelers’ and traders’ inn
- 1840 Cross & Hale enlarge the main portion of the house, adding what is now the Federal Parlor and Sitting Room
- 1844-55 During this period, several innkeepers operate the property as Travelers Home
- 1855 O.D. Hurlbert buys the property and renames it Valley House. The ballroom and carriage wing is added at this time
- 1870 H.A. Bowman purchases the inn. Guests would “summer” here while ferries shuttled them up and down the Connecticut River
- 1873 Bowman sells the inn to his son (or nephew) Edwin, who ran the inn until 1912. He then made it his private home. By this time, the railroad industry was growing and much of the commerce was moving toward St. Johnsbury. No rail lines in Waterford.
- 1919 The property is sold to Mr & Mrs J.W. Davies. Mrs. Davies renames the property Rabbit Hill. Mr. Davies, a philanthropist businessman is thought to have brought the process of homogenization from Europe to the U.S. He operated a creamery in St. Johnsbury. Davies family bought the entire village of Lower Waterford, refurbished all the homes, painted them white with green shutters. Hence, the “White Village of Vermont” becomes the town’s moniker.
- 1957 St. Johnsbury House Hotel acquires the property for use as a summer hotel operating as Rabbit Hill Motor Inn. It was then that the ballroom and carriage house were converted to guestrooms. A neon “MOTEL” sign graced the roof and a sign by the parking lot read: “Good Vermont Food”
- 1968 John & Ruth Carroll purchase the inn and operate it until late 1970’s. A series of innkeepers follow for short periods of time.
- 1980 Eric and Beryl Charlton become innkeepers, adding a new level of charm and hospitality.
- 1987 John and Maureen Magee purchase Rabbit Hill Inn. Major structural restoration and presentation upgrades take the inn to another level of sophistication. AAA Four Diamond rating is bestowed upon the Inn.
- 1994 Brian and Leslie Mulcahy, former inn guests, join the Magees to help manage the property.
- 1997 Brian and Leslie Mulcahy become the owners of Rabbit Hill Inn. They continue to undertake major renovations and systems upgrades. The work in this old house is never done! But through all of its changes, one thing remains the same...warm, sincere, personal hospitality is the hallmark of Rabbit Hill Inn and its innkeepers.
130-word description of Rabbit Hill Inn
This enchanting, romantic hideaway sits on 15 acres of lush countryside in a tiny hamlet between a river and the mountains. Nineteen elegant, unique guest rooms - most with fireplaces, canopy beds, private porches and luxurious bathrooms featuring double whirlpool tubs. Relaxation comes easily in the fireplaced common rooms and the Snooty Fox Pub. The Inn offers exquisite, award-winning dining. The day begins with a full candlelit breakfast. Afternoon tea and pastries is offered each afternoon. In the evening, a memorable dinner is served in our romantic, intimate dining room. A perfect destination getaway year 'round! A 1795 Federal-period inn lavished with love and attention. AAA FOUR DIAMOND rating. "THIS JUST MIGHT BE THE MOST ROMANTIC PLACE ON THE PLANET" – ZAGATS. Voted one of the TOP 100 HOTELS WORLDWIDE - Travel + Leisure.
High Resolution images available
Rabbit Hill Inn maintains an extensive photo library of professionally shot high and low resolution images available for publication. Go to Our Media Bank to view several galleries. Password=rabbit. All photos professionally shot by Jumping Rocks photography and Rare Brick.
