The Rosewood
Country Inn- Bradford, New Hampshire
A Peaceful, Friendly and Old Time Atmosphere
by Norm
Goldman
Artwork 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 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 22 rooms, into an 11-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 12-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 two to eighty-five guests. These are celebrated
in the Victorian gazebo overlooking the pond or candlelit by a romantic
fireplace.
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.
Another important asset of Rosewood is that Bradford is easy to get to.
Located 15 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.
continued on page 2
Romantic
Dining at the Colby Hill Inn
Further Information:
The
Rosewood Country Inn
67 Pleasant View Road
Bradford, New Hampshire
Tel: 800-938-5273
Email: rosewoodinn@tds.net
Finding
The Inn
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."
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