Swift House Inn
25 Stewart Lane, Middlebury, Vt.
802-388-9925 or 866-388-9925
What we liked most: Freshly brewed coffee and tea available at all hours.
What we liked least: A Duraflame log instead of wood in our bedroom fireplace.
What surprised us: The spaciousness of the guest rooms in such an old house.
You know you're at the Swift House Inn when . . . family portraits line the walls of the upstairs hall.
Rates: The inn has 20 rooms spread across three buildings, including the Federal-era main house, the modernized carriage house, and the small gatehouse at the foot of Stewart Lane. Double rooms range from $100 weekdays in the smallest gatehouse room to $255 weekends in the carriage-house suites with private Jacuzzi. The Swift Room in the main house, No. 24, was $165 for a weeknight and $185 for a weekend night. Our ''extra stay" package, good through April 30, included a greeting of chilled wine and half price for the second night. (A similar special provides three nights for the price of two.) All rates include breakfast. The dining room is open Thursday-Monday; entrees $18, three-course prix fixe $28.
Directions: About 210 miles from Boston, about a four-hour drive. Take Interstate 93 north to I-89 in Concord, N.H. Continue to exit 1 in Vermont, and follow Route 4 west. Turn north on Route 7 in Rutland and follow to Middlebury. When Route 7 turns to descend into the village, continue straight on North Pleasant Street for two-tenths of a mile.
