In the Mad River Valley, the 1824 House Inn + Barn is a comfy gem no matter the season

The 1824 House Inn + Barn in Vermont's Mad River Valley is the perfect spot to stay in the heart of ski country.

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

That’s where the husband-and-wife team Sean Kramer and Farrell Leo found themselves in their mid-20s and living in Ohio — he as a college soccer coach and she as an archaeologist.

Instead of going back to college for master’s degrees, they switched careers and became innkeepers.

After starting in Negril, Jamaica, they bounced around the U.S., including stops in Lake Tahoe and Park City.

After nearly 20 years of working in the hospitality business for others, they purchased the 1824 House Inn + Barn on Route 100 in Waitsfield, Vermont, in August 2019.

“Vermont always piqued our interest, and the 1824 House piqued it because it has 15 acres, which we love that we have a little bit of property, but it also has the barn, which is used for events and now we actually use it for a restaurant Fridays and Saturdays seasonally,” Kramer said. “Having that barn was a big plus for us choosing this place.

“We ran a place near Philadelphia that was about twice the size — instead of eight rooms, it had 16, and a little larger barn than we have here — but we’re familiar with the concept of managing both aspects of the property.”

Located a couple miles north of Waitsfield, the 1824 House — which was built 200 years ago and is 3,722 square feet — is just 15 minutes from Sugarbush — both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen — and Mad River Glen. Bolton Valley and Stowe are each 35 minutes away, and downtown Burlington is 45 minutes away.

It is a property that has a different look with each of the seasons. The three weeks of foliage season are the busiest, it has a sledding hill right behind the inn, and they contend that they have “one of the best swimming holes in the Mad River Valley” on the piece of property on the other side of Route 100 from the inn. Five firepits are ready to go year-round.

“Anywhere we’ve been, we’ve always tried to direct people in that manner, that you don’t need to schedule every moment of every day,” said Kramer. “It’s a vacation. Let your mind relax. Let your body relax. Sit by the fire or the porch. Sit and read. Do nothing. Watch the world go by a little bit. That is what helps you recharge.”

Each of the eight rooms has either a king or queen bed with a private bathroom and a unique interior. Kramer said that repeat customers often will try to stay in different rooms each time, as opposed to sticking to a room.

A hearty breakfast also helps get those ski days off to a good start. The 1824 House offers a cook-to-order breakfast every day, and yes, it is included in the stay. Kramer handles the work in the kitchen and his big thing is eggs benedict — he had a unique version for each day of 2021 — and there always are chocolate chips and blueberries to go with pancakes.

While the inn is geared toward couples, that does not mean children are forbidden. One room has a spare trundle while another has a sofa sleeper. Two other rooms are pet-friendly.

The mental picture of a bed and breakfast might include slow, if any, internet access. Kramer and Leo wanted to make sure guests had the creature comforts we look for when relaxing, so the internet speed has been boosted significantly and there are smart TVs in each room, so you can use whatever streaming services you use at home.

“We knew people wanted strong internet, and when we got here the internet wasn’t boosted that hard,” Kramer said. “People want to talk with their friends and post pictures and get on Facebook or whatever it is and get on social media.”

While they never took hospitality classes in school, over time they have added offerings and figured out what works and doesn’t work for guests. The barn has turned into a function space that hosts small weddings with packages available that cover everything except for the photographer and officiant. Small corporate functions also are becoming popular uses of the barn.

Whether it is for a ski trip, exploring the Mad River Valley, getting married or taking the office on a road trip, the 1824 House has been designed to fit your needs.

“Everybody can find their little nook that makes them happy. You’re exploring a new place, if you’re skiing, exploring a new mountain, seeing this and doing that,” Leo said. “The 1824 House gives someone the opportunity to sit and really recharge and take a little quiet time that can get lost in the go, go kind of getaway.”

The 1824 House Inn + Barn is located on 2150 Main St. (Route 100) in Waitsfield, Vt. For more information or booking, visit www.1824house.com, call 802-496-7555 or email [email protected].