Wildflower is one of the most scenic spots I have ever been...perched on a mountain with views of the valley and distant Green Mountains. It is exceptional. The rooms are simple and need updating in a big way. Carpets are worn and wallpaper is dirty. We paid more than $425 a night for a two-room suite that had no real sitting area and just a micro and small fridge...there are good walking trails around the property. Scenery and landscaping are the main attraction.

This was our 3rd summer to visit The Wildflower Inn. The first summer we vacationed in August 2006 and had a wonderful time. I had searched online for a family friendly, reasonably priced vacation in a cooler climate. We had missed their annual Butterflies, Tots and Forget-me-Nots ("BTF") program, but decided to stay a week anyway. We quickly fell in love with everything about The Wildflower and booked a stay for the next summer's BTF program.

We have participated in the BTF program during the past two summers (June 2007 and June 2008) and are already booked for June 2009. We literally booked our vacation for next year, at check out time this past June. I guess that in and of itself says how much we love staying at The Wildflower Inn! It is just the perfect vacation for our family of four which includes two preschoolers. The owners and staff are all lovely people, and eager to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. They have thought of everything - a wonderful playroom filled with toys, a kid-friendly movie each evening, having "baby/kid items" easily available (e.g. sippy cups, bibsters, bed rails which are already installed in your room per your request when you arrive), etc. In addition to the indoor playroom, the property has two playgrounds, a swimming pool with splash area, a hot tub, a barn where the children's activities are held, a petting barn and acres of indescribably beautiful rolling countryside to roam. Also, right on the property is their wonderful Juniper's Restaurant. During the BTF program meals are included each evening at Juniper's (plus you get the fabulous country breakfast that all visitors of the Bed and Breakfast enjoy and with BTF they also serve a great family lunch). Our favorite thing about breakfast at The Wildflower is the granola and yogurt (our kids would choose the teddy bear pancakes as their favorite). Then, I really can't pick my favorite dinner entree (I honestly haven't had anything I didn't like!), and we were pleased to see this summer that they'd even expanded their menu. They have many wonderful seafood and beef entrees, with much of the food coming from local farms or nearby natural, grass fed cattle.

The thing we love about the BTF program is really the simplicity - we love that the kids come back after their morning activities with stories of going on adventures, looking for ladybugs or butterflies, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing dress up, visiting the petting barn, etc. Also, and perhaps most importantly, my husband and I are particular about who we leave our children with, as are most parents. For us, the idea of leaving them in childcare at a large resort while we are off in another part of the property or even city is not something we'd be comfortable with. The Wildflower is much different than this though. With this program, you do get the benefit of being able to get some treasured (and rare!) alone time with your spouse while your children participate in morning activities and again during dinner. However, they are right there on the propery with you (literally in the barn next door to the building where you'd be eating dinner). With the BTF program you do get to choose a couple of morning adult activities (I'd recommend a massage at the Stepping Stone Spa and Wellness Center which is only a short walk down the road), but again with the close, family-like staff you can feel completely comfortable that your children are in safe hands and that you'd be quickly contacted if needed. The first summer we participated in BTF, my youngest had a difficult time with drop off/separating, and I asked the staff to let me know if she didn't calm as I didn't want her crying during the entire morning's acitities. After about 1/2 an hour the BTF program director came and found me and we discussed that my little one wasn't settling in yet and I decided that was probably enough for her that day and went and got her. The following days she did much better and this past summer she absolutely loved it! I APPRECIATED that the staff was sensitive to my preferences as a parent, and that they truly seemed concerned about the welfare of my child and family.

At The Wildflower Inn, there's enough space that you can enjoy your alone time in the morning and at dinner (although some families will have their children in the restaurant and that's totally fine), but at the same time you can check on your children if you want to. One of my favorite memories from this past summer was walking with my husband after dinner carrying a glass of wine in my hand (they also have a great wine and beer selection!), and we decided to stop in the barn for a few minutes to see the animals. We were visiting with the caretaker, and she was taking time to give us some great advice on caring for our aging dog. As we were talking we saw the children traipsing across the lawn (all in dress up clothes I might add) and heading for the barn. Yikes! Our precious alone time was about to get interrupted! The caretaker thought quickly and snuck us out a side door, and we continued our walk undetected. We ended our time standing together watching the sunset from a gazebo on a particularly beautiful part of the property that overlooks the valleys below. Then, we were off to get the kids who had a great time playing with friends and were ready for family movie/play time in the play room.

All in all, I'd say for us The Wildflower Inn and in particular the BTF program is the perfect vacation for our young family. We come home all feeling relaxed, having had a great time and eager to return the next summer!

Our daughters live in Boston and Upstate New York, so we were looking for an upscale family resort that had nice accommodations, good food, and plenty of things to do for their two children, both almost 3. After quite a bit of research, we discovered the Wildflower Inn that offered everything we wanted plus a fabulous location in upper Vermont with wonderful views.

We were all delighted with our 5 night stay at this Inn. Our suites were nicely furnished, spotless, and very comfortable. The kids had an outdoor playground for sunny days and an indoor one loaded with toys. They also loved going to the petting barn and seeing the friendly cow, miniature horse, donkey, rabbit, and sheep. We signed up for a wagon ride - very popular with everyone.

Huge expanses of lawn provided a place for us to play kickball with the kids and we took some walks to see more of the vista and views. Some of the families with teens hiked, biked, fished, played tennis, and swam in the large heated pool.

All the parents had a massage at the Stepping Stone Spa, within walking distance of the inn, which has an excellent staff. My husband and I babysat the grandkids, but the inn can provide babysitters on request.

True to its name, spring flowers were everywhere on the property including colorful flowering trees.

Breakfast which is included in room rates started with a cold buffet followed by a hot meal if desired. Lunch is not available (except during summer months), but we visited a local store and had sandwich fixings which we kept in the room refrigerators... perfect for picnics. Several nice diners and restaurants are also in nearby towns. (Our favorite was Miss Lyndonville Diner!) Dinner at the inn offers an extensive menu from burgers to seafood and steaks at very reasonable prices.

Accommodations range from single rooms with a small kitchenette to a two bedroom "house" with a full kitchen. Quite a few are suites with bedrooms and living rooms, all with small refrigerators and a microwave. My husband and I (the grandparents) stayed in the Schoolhouse Cottage, somewhat secluded from the rest of the Inn, which had a big porch and wonderful views across the valley.

We highly recommend the Wildflower Inn for families with children of all ages from tots to teens.

Since our daughter goes to school in the area we have stayed at the Wildflower numerous times over the last 18 months. It is by far the best place to stay in the area. They are very friendly and attentive, the rooms are always clean and spacious, and the food can't be beat. The breakfast alone is worth the stay. Close to great skiing at Burke (and not far from Jay Peak). Highly recommend.