The Lodge at Glendorn dates back to 1927 when C.G. Bondieu purchased 1,250 acres as a retreat for his growing family.  He built a “Big House” and some cottages in the American Arts and Crafts style.  They continued to add buildings to the property over the next 80 years, opening it to the public in 1995.  One of the families that frequented it, fell in love with it and bought it when it was auctioned off in 2009, after most of the family no longer resided in the area.  Cliff Forrest and family then made Glendorn their home and set about preserving the history and natural surroundings while doing restorations, improvements and expanding to 1,500 acres.  Today, many of the furnishings and artworks were original to the home when the Dorn’s owned it.  We were lucky to snag a room at this Relais & Châteaux for 2 nights during Fall leaves.   Breakfast is included with your stay and I’ll cover that and lunch in a separate post.  Dinner is in a 4-course tasting format where you choose between multiple options.  You can also choose to have just 3 courses, pick more than one from each category, or add additional at a la carte prices.  They will customize it however you want.  Prior to dinner, they served snacks in another room with a bar, pool table and roaring fire.  I’ll talk more about the place in the upcoming posts but it is a beautiful spot and the staff could not be more welcoming or helpful.  The food is locally based and good but marvelously enhanced by the stunning yet cozy 2 story dining room.  If you can get there I know you will enjoy your visit. Continue reading →