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The Rosewood Country Inn- Bradford, New Hampshire
A Peaceful, Friendly and Old Time Atmosphere
-Article by: Norm Goldman
-Painting by: Lily Azerad-Goldman
It certainly was not love at first site when former Connecticut natives Lesley and Dick
Marquis first laid eyes in 1991 on The Rosewood Country
Inn located in Bradford New Hampshire.
When I asked Lesley and Dick what made them want to purchase an 1896 boarded up summer inn that had not been
in use from 1971 to 1991? Their reply was that at the onset their initial instinct was to balk and look for another
property.
Ultimately, their decision was greatly influenced when the vendor, that happened to be a bank, was very anxious
to rid itself of the property. Lesley exclaimed, "the bank kept on dropping its asking price until it reached
a level we could no longer resist!" (It reminded me of
| The Town of Bradford
was incorporated in 1787 and can boast of having fourteen of New Hampshire's tallest white pines; a reminder of
the unsettled forest-lands that once covered most of Southern New Hampshire. It is also home to one of New Hampshire's
fifty covered bridges, the Bement Covered Bridge
that spans the west branch of the Warner River, and is only minutes away from The Rosewood Inn. It is quite noteworthy
that these bridges have been called "kissing bridges" and "courting bridges." |
the godfather-"I will make you an offer you can't refuse.")
Finally, after several trips and some sound advice from a contractor friend, they decided to go full tilt and do
whatever it would require to turn this property around. This meant major plumbing and electrical work, and everything
else that had to be done-- and there was plenty!
Today, thanks to this enterprising couple's foresight, imagination and belief in themselves, they have converted
this Victorian inn, that at one time comprised twenty two rooms, into an eleven-room establishment where its guests
can experience privacy, comfort and intimacy.
And if mountain getaways conjure visions of romance and tranquility, you will love the Rosewood with its extraordinary
twelve-acre setting providing romantic couples with ample opportunities to star gaze and enjoy all the magic that
Mother Nature offers. It even includes a small pond that I have been informed will shortly be stocked with fish,
as well as waterfalls.
Decorated in early Americana, every detail has been attended to insofar as amenities and comforts. Some of the
inn's rooms offer fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, sunlit porches, and all lead to an inviting common room.
Guests probably come just to savor Lesley's superb breakfasts that are included in the inn's tariffs.
Others, I am informed by the innkeepers, find the inn so romantic, particularly honeymoon and anniversary couples,
that they don't even want to venture out of their rooms. They have Lesley and Dick prepare their famous in-room
picnic basket complete with a bottle of wine; shrimp cocktail, chicken-salad-filled croissant, marinated mushrooms,
potato salad and cream puffs, and topped off with strawberries for dessert.
They are now all set to spend the day in front of a crackling fireplace soaking up the romantic ambience of
one of the inn's suites.
When we visited the inn in May of 2004, we were not at all surprised to learn that guidebook author Pamela Lanier
in 2002 called the inn, "one of New Hampshire's Eight Most Romantic Inns" in Chronicle Books and
Inn of the Year, and readers of Arlington's Bed and Breakfast Journal have voted it the most romantic
B&B/Country Inn.
The inn is also popular as a wedding venue, as it specializes in small intimate affairs from
| During the early 1900's such Hollywood celebrities as Jack London, Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Mr. and
Mrs. Charlie Chaplin and the Gish Sisters (Lillian and Dorothy)
would pass a few days at the inn during the summer. Two of the inn's suites bear the names of some of these personalities-
the Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford rooms. |
two to eighty-five guests. These are celebrated in the Victorian gazebo overlooking the pond or candlelit by a
romantic fireplace.
Another important asset of Rosewood is that Bradford is easy to get to. Located fifteen minutes from Interstate
89, it is only an hour and half drive from Boston- yet it feels quite remote with its secluded romantic mountain
inn atmosphere.
Life does not get any better and you could not hope to find a lovelier place to spend a romantic getaway with
the inn's close proximity to the Mt. Sunapee
Lake Region, the area's many beaches and State Parks, and not to forget great skiing at Mt. Sunapee Ski Area. As for hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, swimming, and fishing,
it is all within easy reach of the inn.
Annual nearby events include concerts in the parks, the International
Speedway in Loudon and Scottish Highland Games.
Foliage season of course is unbelievable and reservations are required months in advance.
 Further Information
The Rosewood Country Inn
67 Pleasant View Road
Bradford, New Hampshire
Tel: 800-938-5273
Email: info@rosewoodcountryinn.com
Finding The Inn
ROMANTIC DINING
For dining, guests of The Rosewood Inn can take a short leisurely drive to the small historic village and college
town of Henniker, where they will discover a memorable romantic dining facility, the Colby Hill Inn.
It is here where Lily and I had the pleasure of meeting the inn's chef, Jeannine Carney, and indulging in some
of her heavenly "contemporary regional New England" dishes.
Carney's culinary philosophy is to use as much of the local home- grown produce and ingredients as possible. Her
menu changes quarterly, and she prepares all requests to order, keeping the dishes fairly simple and reflecting
the various New England seasons. There are usually nine entrées on the menu and a choice of one hundred
and twenty wines, which incidentally has earned the inn "The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence."
After tasting the Pecan Crusted Rainbow Trout with lemon sage butter, carrot ginger flan and basmati scallion rice,
it is little wonder why Carney has earned her stellar reputation.
Dining at the Colby Hill Inn only confirms what area residents already know- it sets the standard for New England
fine cuisine.
Lily, who is quite fussy when it comes to dining, could not help commenting about the freshness of the Potato and
Herb Baked Halibut, and the leek risotto, asparagus and red pepper coulis.
Carney indicated to us that one of her most popular dishes is the Chicken Colby Hill, which is a boneless breast
of chicken, stuffed with lobster, leeks and boursin cheese, chardonnay cream with buttered baby spinach and cheddar
mashed potatoes.
Another very popular dish is the Hazel Crusted Breast of Duck with raspberry Bellini sauce, toasted barley pilaf
and warm spring greens.
All sounds great, especially for those who are not concerned about their diets!
Further Information
Colby Hill Inn.
3 The Oaks
Henniker, New Hampshire
Tel: 603-428-3281
Email: info@colbyhillinn.com
Finding The Restaurant
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