I have been staying at one of the best kept secrets in Connecticut. Nestled in the hills of Simsbury, sits Merrywood Inn, a quaint and elegant bed and breakfast. Driving up the long circular drive, you glance at the meticulous grounds and know that this is a place to restore.
Outside, Merrywood offers a sanctuary to pause for a respite on one of the benches or take tea on a rainy afternoon under the protection of the outdoor teahouse that overlooks the wooded acreage. You can stroll the perimeter guided by stonewalls that artfully display stone and metal arrangements. Pass through the entranceway into the sunken garden and you have a place to sit as if in a portrait.
There is more to Merrywood Bed and Breakfast than the grounds that offer you a garden of peaceful energy. As you cross the threshold, you are greeted by innkeepers Mike and Gerlinde Marti. Mozart serenades you as you make your way to your room. Halls, sitting areas and rooms have impecable detail. As you enter your room, a light emanates a soft glow. You put your suitcase down, sink into one of the antique chairs or the settee that adorns your room and all at once, you are transferred to a place of warmth, relaxation and bliss. I can only compare a visit at Merywood to a traveler who has returned home after a long trip. That is what happens. From the moment you cross the threshold into the home, you know you are welcome.
After you choose from a breakfast menu which includes Eggs Hussard, Eggs SeaLegs, Poached eggs with Hollandaise Sauce, French toast with Bananas Foster, or any of the other delightful cuisine, you crawl into your bed and wrap yourself in luxurious comfort.
This morning I dined on a Baked Crepe Suzette. The puffed crepe is filled with fruit drizzled with a tangy tantalizing sauce made from Grand Mariner, oranges and lemons. As I bit into this masterpiece and the taste melted in my mouth, I had no other choice except to savor every mouthful.
Mike and Gerlinde Marti are Merrywood. Their very essence is the welcoming spirit of this unique and peaceful place.
I am leaving today. I am well rested and full of peaceful energy. I will miss this place I have come to love, but I will be back.
You too can be a weary traveler coming home. For more information check out MerrywoodInn.com or email Mike at [email protected]
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Copyright October 2009
