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Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation!

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The Vermont House Entry
The Main House 30' Living Room.  Library Table and printer are in foreground.
Main House LR.  Powder Room door is in rear left. Door to Annex is on the right.
Main House Gas Fireplace and Game Table.
Main House Dining Room with wet bar.  Table will seat 8.  Door opens to porch.

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10250.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Ripton, VT
  • Rikert Nordic Center
    5 min walk
  • Robert Frost Wayside Trail
    2 min drive
  • Green Mountain National Forest
    5 min drive
  • Montpelier, VT (MPV-Edward F. Knapp State)
    68 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Annex Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Main House Twin Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Main House Twin Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Annex Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Main House Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Main House Powderoom

Toilet

Main House Upstairs Hall Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation!

The Vermont House consists of a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story Main House; and a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 story Annex. The sections are separated by lockable double doors in the living rooms and kitchens. Guests may rent either the 4 bedroom home, only the 3 bedroom Main House, or the Annex.



Note: this listing is #692602 for the 4 Bedroom Vermont House. Separately rentable are its two sections: listing #161907 for the 3 bedroom "Main House" and listing #1618543 for the 1-bedroom "Annex"

For Middlebury College 2025 graduation, we prefer to rent the Whole House for a week; however, we will accept reservations for fewer days beginning February 1, 2025.

Call for special pricing for the Bread Loaf School of English.

The Main House Description:
30' living room with gas fireplace, Ralph Lauren leather sofa, a love seat, flat screen TV, Blu-Ray player, sound system, game table, additional chairs and French doors onto the porch.

Dining room with extendable table, China cabinet, wet bar and door to the Robert Frost porch. Counters on the cabinets are Vermont slate.

Modern kitchen with new cherry cabinets and cherry floor, all modern appliances, laundry and door to enclosed porch. Small electric appliances include skillet, mixer, toaster, waffle iron, and combination blender/food processor.

The dinnerware is the cheerful Charter Club Summer Grove pattern.

Powder room with original marble vanity and porcelain basin.

Upstairs:
Queen master bedroom has custom-made furniture including 2 bureaus and night stand, and a small TV.

The master bath features a marble bath with jacuzzi, separate shower and marble vanity with twin basins.

There are two more bedrooms upstairs, each with 2 extra-long twin beds. The two twin bedrooms share a hall bath with combined tub/shower.

All rooms have views of forests, the mountains, open fields, or the Bread Loaf campus.

The Annex is a private 1-story, 1-bedroom unit that is bright and welcoming:

The 30-foot combined living room/dining room has 2 easy chairs, a queen-sized sleep sofa, a china cabinet, flat screen TV, Blu-Ray player and stereo/CD player. The dining area has a dark wood trestle table with bench and 2 dining chairs.

The spacious Annex bedroom has a queen bed, large chest of drawers, two night stands and a large closet. Bedding for the sleep sofa is stored in the closet, as is a small fold-out child-sized bed.

The Annex galley kitchen has a full-sized 4-burner stove, microwave, and refrigerator/freezer. Toaster, waffle iron and Mr. Coffee are provided.

Dishes are the Charter Club Summer Grove pattern.

The Annex bathroom has a combined tub/shower with glass enclosure.

Property manager

Neil and Judy Bicknell

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Gym
Outdoor space

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please supervise children & take care of our home

Events

Events allowed
Please discuss plans with owners.

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Overnight occupancy may not exceed 6 guests in the Main House and 4 guests in the Annex.
Traveler's liability for damages is not limited to the amount of the damage deposit or insurance and my include an excess cleaning charge.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Please discuss plans with owners.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ripton

Located in Ripton, this holiday home is in a rural area. National Museum of the Morgan Horse and Holy Cow Inc. are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Pulp Mill Covered Bridge and Halpin Covered Bridge. Danforth Pewter and Bulwagga Books & Gallery are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Ripton, VT

What's nearby

  • Rikert Nordic Center - 5 min walk
  • Robert Frost Wayside Trail - 2 min drive
  • Green Mountain National Forest - 5 min drive
  • Lake Dunmore - 21 min drive
  • Middlebury College - 21 min drive

Getting around

  • Randolph Station - 41 min drive
  • Montpelier, VT (MPV-Edward F. Knapp State) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Paddlers Pub - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪The Pub - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Waterhouse Marina & Tavern - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Downey Corporation - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Waybury Inn - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation!?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation!?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Beauty, Comfort & Quality: 4 Bedroom Home- Available for Middlebury Graduation! located?

Set amidst the mountains, this ski-in/ski-out holiday home in Ripton is within 1 mile (2 km) of Rikert Nordic Center and Robert Frost Wayside Trail, and is convenient for winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and sledging. Green Mountain National Forest and Texas Falls Recreation Area are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely stunning
We stayed in this house during our daughter’s college graduation. The house was as described - clean, welcoming, bucolic, well-furnished and equipped, private, peaceful, spacious…. The grounds were gorgeous and the house instructions were clear. The location is close enough to Middlebury and other small VT towns, yet accessible to numerous outdoor pursuits. The owners were welcoming in their communications, informative, and prompt in replies. Stay and enjoy.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Vermont
We had a wonderful stay in this beautiful Ripton home surrounded by trees and birds, close to walking trails, and with beautiful views. Our multigenerational family was very comfortable in the large spaces available to relax and chat. Kitchen was well equipped, beds comfortable, plenty of towels. We would happily return here for another visit to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bradi G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Middlebury February Grad Celebration Visit
We were so happy to be staying in this beautiful property adjacent to the nordic center and a short drive to Midd Snowbowl. We planned on spending hours in both places, but due to the polar vortex that accompanied our stay, we ended up spending hours by the beautiful warm fireplaces in the property. We cannot say enough about the selection of books, great coffee mugs, and ample blankets and couches in which to snuggle up!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic setting, incredible house
This house is amazing, beautiful views and lovely house. Close to hiking at Breadloaf and the Long Trail. We came for a graduation and had college age kids up to 80+ grandparents at various points during the weekend and the house let us be together when we wanted and spread out when we wanted. The extra first floor apartment was a nice space for the grandparents who don’t like stairs. This house is also extremely well stocked and could host a larger gathering like a grad party or large dinner party. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

TRENA M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful VT home & location
Could not find a better location for a xcountry and downhill ski vacation. On the Rikert Nordic trails, 5 min to Middlebury Bowl, 30 min to Sugarbush. House was completely stocked with ample room for all 8 of us & great hang out places. Beds were all AMAZING! Even our teens noticed how well they slept. If you are looking in VT for quiet, nature, and a great/fun home this is the place.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dominic M., -

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
exceptional house in an exceptional location
The standards of cleanliness for this house were extraordinary! We felt, absolutely, that we were guests being invited to stay in an extraordinary and well loved home. The location is remote - no cell coverage remote - but very pretty, with beautiful forests, Middlebury College's well-groomed Breadloaf campus and fields nearby, and all the privacy one could want. We are grateful to have been able to be together - to cook, play chess, read, and feel on a perfect family holiday - in this gorgeous setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gary K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding stay
Very nice
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julia M., Westport

A picture-perfect VT retreat!
We booked the Bicknell's fantastic home nestled right next to the Breadloaf campus for our son's graduation from Middlebury College over Memorial Day weekend. Everything about our stay was perfect. The house is pristine, beautifully maintained and perfectly appointed. Any time we looked for something - kitchen utensils, serving platters, extra towels, even clippers to cut the beautiful lilacs, which were in FULL bloom at this time of the year, we found what we needed. On Saturday night we had a wonderful family barbecue and sat outside on the fantastic wrap-around porch. We rented the whole house including the annex which is connected to and feels like part of the house, but provides a perfectly sized "suite" for another family. It would make an ideal separate rental for a smaller group. Neil and Judy could not have been nicer. They were easy to communicate with and very helpful - when we had trouble getting the TV to work, they called and talked us through it - turns out my older son didn't read the directions carefully enough :-) They provided us with detailed instructions about everything we might need to know. We could not have been happier. During the hustle and bustle of graduation week, it was delightful to have this peaceful oasis to which we returned. Middlebury parents might like to know that it takes about 20 mins to get to the center of town, 15 minutes to Hannafords from here. We could not recommend this property more highly! Thank you Neil + Judy - we so hope we will have the occasion to visit again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Janine H.

Heaven on Breadloaf Mountain
We have had the pleasure of staying at Judy and Neil's home twice now - each time with friends for a Middlebury College reunion + extra vacation. We are now thinking we need to rent yearly - not just every five years! The home is spacious, well-equipped, comfortable, clean and inviting. I could spend all day on the porch admiring the gardens and the mountain views. If you are sporty - it's a perfect spot to run/bike/hike/ski/walk from. If you want relaxation - it's a perfect spot for reading/meditating/napping! If you are visiting with friends - it's ideal for preparing and enjoying meals inside and out. It is so easy to feel at home here - we are always sad to leave. Communication with Judy and Neil has always been easy and they provide excellent information and quick responses to any questions or needs. They go above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We would recommend this property over any B&B, hotel or inn in VT!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A Writer's Retreat
I am a perennial attendee of the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, which takes place for ten days in mid-August. I have stayed in the Annex every year since 2006, and have every intention of making this an August getaway, whether I participate in the conference or not. I travel a lot, often staying in private accommodations. This property is unmatched in terms of beauty and comfort. The kitchen is state-of-the-art, the furnishings are not only functional but lovely to look at and to use. Staying here, I have the privacy and solitude I need as a fiction writer. Neil and Judy are superb hosts. Often, during my stays, they are in residence in the main house, but there have been times when I was there alone. No problem, such as intermittent satellite service or a shower door that was not operating properly, has ever gone unsolved, whether they were there or not. Security is not a problem, even though the location is remote

About the host

Hosted by Neil and Judy Bicknell

Host profile image
Pictured - Neil and Judy at Shelburne Inn for a birthday celebration!
Neil grew up in Vermont, Judy in Oregon. We met while employed by IBM in New York. We now live in Boulder, Colorado and visit our Vermont House several times a year.

We enjoy hiking, biking, and fishing nearby, and reading, relaxing and gardening at the Vermont House. We appreciate the presentations and performances provided by Middlebury College and Bread Loaf. Ripton is a unique, supportive community that is a model of environmental stewardship and civic engagement.

Why they chose this property

This home is unique; it is the only private home overlooking Bread Loaf campus. It has phenomenal views of the surrounding mountains and fields and the property is graced with beautiful flowers, old trees and old stone walls.

The original owners of the Vermont House were the Endicott's who obtained the property from Joseph Battell who built the Bread Loaf resort as an escape for city residents from the heat of summer. The property was purchased in the 1940's by the Davidson family. Donald Davidson was a professor at Vanderbilt University and cherished the opportunity to be at the house and near to Robert Frost who taught at Bread Loaf and lived a mile away. Our library contains a novel written by Professor Davidson. We purchased the house from the Davidson family in 1998 and shortly thereafter began a year-long renovation.

The house has been lovingly renovated, retaining charming original wood work, and completely updated with modern utilities and conveniences resulting in a wonderfully comfortable home.

Cross Country skiing is next door at the Rikert Center. Hiking is available everywhere; one may fish for brook trout (in season) along the river accessible from Route 125, and the Long Trail is only 2 miles away.

A drive to the center of Middlebury takes only 20 minutes; the Snow Bowl is 1.7 miles to the east; a 45 minute drive takes you to Sugarbush. Burlington and the airport are an hour away.

What makes this property unique

The light is unique, especially in the afternoons and the air is fresh and clear. Sunsets are glorious. Stars are brilliant and star-gazing in August rewards you with a view of shooting stars. One sleeps late here and rests well!

Sit in a rocker on the porch with a beverage nearby and a book in hand; walk to the Bread Loaf campus for a public event. Jog along the road and get a chance glimpse of a moose. Walk the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail. Go to Blueberry Hill and pick wild blueberries in the most magnificent setting. ....

Languages:

English
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