
Beautifully situated on 138 lush acres, complete with a babbling brook, in-ground pool, and pristine gardens in historic Newfane, Vermont, Four Columns Inn should land squarely on your “must visit” list. First opened in 1965 as a guesthouse, it was in 2015 that Greenwich Hospitality Group founder, Charles Mallory purchased the property and proceeded with a top-to-bottom refurbishment, making it the shining star that it is today.
The Inn and its restaurant have quite a history and have notably welcomed a wide array of celebrities including Mick Jagger, Michael Douglas, and Sting. It is also well known locally, that economist and Newfane weekend resident John Kenneth Galbraith, frequently shared the dining room with Henry Kissinger and other Statesmen throughout the years.
Located in Newfane’s gorgeous square and easily accessible from New York, Boston and Hartford, Four Columns Inn has a true Rockwellesque quality that personifies New England charm. The attentive staff delivers a level of sincere warmth and hospitality that is hard to come by these days. Boasting spacious rooms furnished with an elegant and eclectic blend of antiques and new furniture, most are outfitted with king-size beds, fireplaces and deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs featuring Vermont-made bath products.
Want to take a deep dive into relaxation? Including an outdoor treatment space on the pond, the Four Columns Inn wellness center is at the ready to align mind, body, and spirit with traditional Western and Eastern bodywork practices.
Notably, the Four Columns Inn was home to the first “true” Farm-to-Table restaurant in the United States, preceding the legendary Alice Waters by four years. Today, Chef Erin Bevan remains faithful to that vision sourcing products from over 20 local farms with her incredible work at the onsite, Artisan Restaurant—seamlessly blending new American, Asian and French cuisine.
We happily feasted on dishes like Buckwheat Sourdough Waffle (Ferguson Farm Quail Eggs, Pickled Carrot, Whipped Maplebrook Farm Feta), Lavender Rubbed Loin of Spring Farm Lamb, Crusted Faroe Island Salmon, and the classic Beef Bourguignon.
If it is just a glass of wine, artisanal cocktail or a casual bite you desire, the Tavern & Garden is a cozy and casual gathering place with weekly live music, an impressive variety of local beer and hard cider, and small-batch wines and spirits. In the summer months, there are two outdoor dining areas overlooking the gardens and ponds, as well as a small courtyard featuring al fresco dining.
All in all, Four Columns Inn is a dramatically beautiful destination that is easy to get to and hard to leave. With their beautifully appointed guest rooms and the exquisite cuisine of Artisan Restaurant Tavern and Garden all situated in a nature lovers’ paradise, this is a getaway that will assure treasured memories and a return visit.