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The Inn of the Tartan Fox


The Inn of the Tartan Fox is located in Swanzey, New Hampshire—a city situated between Pisgah State Park and Monadnock State Park. The establishment offers a total of four rooms, which are available throughout the year. One of these units is pet-friendly, and another is ADA-compatible. Regardless of which room patrons decide to reserve, everyone is invited to take advantage of the three-course breakfast each morning, typically taking place in the dining room around 8:30 a.m. Due to the location of the inn, there are a variety of attractions and outdoor recreational activities that people can participate in, with one of the most noteworthy attractions in the vicinity being Mount Monadnock. The owners would like their guests to feel comfortable while they are staying at the inn and enjoy interacting with them to help ensure they are having a positive experience during their stay.

About

The Inn of the Tartan Fox is a bed and breakfast that offers four of the following units for reservation: Terrace, Manor, Stewart, and Blackwatch. Each room is uniquely decorated and offers similar amenities as the others, such as a private bathroom, a queen bed, and access to WiFi. It should be noted that Terrace, the room located on the first floor, is ADA-compliant. The owners report that this accommodation also tends to be the most popular room in the building due to its larger private bathroom in comparison to the others. Moreover, the Terrace is capable of having a small desk area that can be set up in the bedroom.

Everyone with a reservation also has an invitation to breakfast the following morning. Breakfast at the Inn of the Tartan Fox is a three-course meal made by the owners. The inn typically serves food around 8:30 a.m., but the owners can make some adjustments to the time if guests would like it sooner or later in the morning. For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, alternative meals can be made to accommodate any needs that patrons may have. The owners ask that they are made aware of these restrictions with enough time in advance to prepare breakfast.

One can find a variety of common areas within the inn. There is a family room that is large enough to accommodate all visitors staying at the inn and can provide space for socializing or gathering. The family room features a fireplace, which can be lit in the winter. Additionally, there is a sunroom where guests can relax and read.

The business is located in a more rural part of New Hampshire, and according to the owners, the area is known for its population of red foxes. Patrons at the inn may spot red foxes in the vicinity, as well as other wildlife. The establishment is close to several attractions, including Mount Monadnock, which is a hiking destination situated near the inn. According to the owner, it is the most hiked mountain in the United States due to its accessibility from urban areas such as New York City and Boston. The mountain is part of a state park, which provides other opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. One can also take part in activities such as skiing and antiquing. During the summer, concerts are held at Colonial Theatre and Northlands, which are outdoor establishments with a bandstand. There are also a variety of restaurants that patrons can visit, ranging from fancy dining options to pubs and specialty eateries. Keene, a city nearby, also has many restaurants.

Culture

The owners of The Inn of the Tartan Fox seek to create a “home away from home” for their occupants and to help them feel more comfortable and relaxed regardless of which room they reside in. In an effort to create this atmosphere, the owners try to be “more involved” with the daily operations. They also mention that they enjoy meeting guests.

There have been many patrons that have stayed at the inn, and several of them have left reviews of their experience. A few aspects that are occasionally brought up in these reviews include the ambiance, the fireplace in the winter, and the interior of the inn. One person wrote, “Liza and Mike are generous hosts, and Mike makes an incredible breakfast (and coffee too). The inn itself is almost two centuries old and very beautiful and well-maintained. The grounds are nice to walk around and see birds such as thrashers, woodpeckers, vireos, and jays.” The Inn of the Tartan Fox welcomes a diverse range of guests, though due to the limited occupancy capacity, the business does not frequently accommodate families with children. The company is also open year-round, allowing people to make reservations for any time of the year.

There are several policies that visitors should be aware of before they travel to the inn. Only one of the rooms that are available for reservations is pet-friendly, smoking is prohibited inside the building, and the business expects patrons to keep the noise to a minimum during the night to help others in the inn have a restful sleep.

History

Before the current owners purchased the inn, they had stayed at the property multiple times. The owners have been in the hospitality industry for about eight years, specifically with The Inn of the Tartan Fox. Their goal is to provide a comfortable and welcoming experience, and they take pride in the personal touches of the inn and building connections with guests.

Regarding the name of the inn, it was inherited from the previous owners, who wanted a New England-sounding name. They combined “tartan” to represent the sound of England and “fox” as the animal. Moreover, the inn has various fox-related decorations throughout it, and many red foxes can be seen in the area. 

The owners have made renovations in the past; however, most of the changes have been minor, mainly updates to help maintain the property. In the future, the owners plan to develop the front porch into an enclosed three-season space, with the intention of hosting weddings, though the owners mention that this may not occur for some time.

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Location

350 Old Homestead Highway
Swanzey, New Hampshire 03446
United States

Type

Bed and Breakfast

Phone
603-357-9308
Reviews
4.95 (174 Reviews)
4.9/5 49 Reviews
Google.com
5/5 125 Reviews
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