TRAVEL
WINVIAN FARM
NATURAL BEAUTY IN NEARBY LITCHFIELD By Irvina Lew
ven as the world feels more secure regarding pandemic precautions, most of us prefer traveling close to home, avoiding crowded places and knowing that the venue maintains all safety measures. Winvian Farm is perfect for the times; it’s an exceptionally idyllic Relais & Chateaux affiliate in pristine Litchfield Hills, about 100 miles (a two-hour drive) from the Upper East Side. At Winvian, each of the eighteen unique cottages on the 113acre working farm was designed by one of fifteen architects who let their creative-spirit soar, took advantage of bucolic woodland or pastoral views and/or incorporated sustainable elements, such as natural stone, reused barn beams and trees, in the individualized structures.
Beaver Lodge
WHAT’S YOUR WISH? What are your druthers? A rustic log cabin? A treehouse, greenhouse or lighthouse? Mark Twain’s book Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court inspired a medieval cottage, and an authentic beaver dam is installed as an over-the-bed centerpiece at Beaver Lodge. Five lodgings are dog friendly; three are clustered for couples traveling together; and, one, Camping Cottage, is handicap accessible. Colonial history buffs choose the nineteenth accommodation, the Hadley Suite, a three-room, second-floor suite in the original 18th-century Connecticut clapboard Seth Bird house. The Spa
RELAX & RENEW I chose Stone Cottage, with its bold and beautiful boulder walls and two wood burning fireplaces, that rise to the cathedral ceiling and divide the living room from the bedroom; a wall of upper windows views the forest, even from the deep, jettedtub and the oversized tiled shower, with its long bench.
While each cottage has its singular character; all offer comparable comforts: a gracious size, from 900 to 1250-square-feet; radiant-heated bathroom floors; double vanities; an oversize Jacuzzi tub; a two-person rainfall steam shower; a screened porch; bikes at the doorstep; and convenient parking.
The raised two-steps-up sleeping area, features a huge, custom-crafted bed facing the fireplace with a thick, plankedwood headboard, a horizontal board that extends out to create side tables and a wide, foot board/bench. Alongside it, the wet bar features a stone sink installed within a boulder and a custom-crafted desk. The amenities are typical to all accommodations: an ice maker and refrigerator, a Nespresso coffee maker, Harney & Sons tea service, a hair dryer, lighted make-up mirror, iron and two umbrellas. The 5000-square foot, stand-alone spa uses reclaimed barn beams, steel and metal. Rebecca, my talented aesthetician, greeted me at reception, showed me the large, window-walled lounge and led me to the ladies’ locker room and one of the six treatment rooms. Two among them house twin massage tables, wood-burning fireplaces, with seating, plus French doors. Skin treatments incorporate high-end French facial products, either Biologique Recherche or Yonka, (which I have long favored and which Rebecca incorporated into my moisturizing facial).
Relaxing at Winvian Farms
JUNE 2021 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 47
