A LOVE LETTER TO CONNECTICUT –WINVIAN FARM – An Inclusive Relais & Chateaux Resort With Heart, Soul, Sophistication and Whimsy

A LOVE LETTER TO CONNECTICUT – WINVIAN FARM – AN INCLUSIVE RELAIS & CHATEAUX RESORT WITH HEART, SOUL, SOPHISTICATION AND WHIMSY

By Ashley Rogers

Tucked away in the rolling Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, just two hours north of New York City and 2.5 hours west of Boston, is Winvian Farm…a Relais & Châteaux, AAA Five Diamond resort that blends understated elegance with a sense of playfulness and pure luxury, making it an irresistible escape for discerning visitors and locals alike.

For the LGBTQ+ traveler, Winvian is not just another 5-star luxury resort. It is an oasis of warmth and inclusivity and a world of wonder, where timeless New England charm meets dreamlike fantasy. With 18 eclectic, storybook cottages, a world-class spa, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine, and an array of immersive indoor and outdoor experiences, this alluring retreat offers an enchanting getaway for those seeking relaxation, personalized experiences, and an inviting environment.

Originally the estate of Winthrop and Vivian—and inspiring the resort’s name Winvian—the property was transformed under the watchful eyes of Maggie Smith and her daughter, Heather Smith Winklemann, into a plush resort, opening in December 2006. Their unified vision for the resort was to make each guest feel like they are welcomed, cherished and seen. The property is one of the only award-winning U.S.-based resorts that is women owned and operated, as well as privately owned. 

“I am proud of the fact that Winvian remains privately-owned and family operated,” says Maggie Smith, the resort’s proprietor, who credits much of her success to her staff, many of whom have been with her from the beginning. “Our goal has always been to create an intimate sanctuary where our guests’ needs are anticipated and exceeded in an understated, elegant way. I consider the people on my team, family. We all work together to make the property shine, and the team brings the resort to life every day with spectacular warmth and intuitive understanding of the needs of a vast variety of guests.”

WHERE NORMAN ROCKWELL MEETS ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Winvian boasts eighteen uniquely designed cottages and the historic family home, the Hadley Suite.  Fiffteen different architects were commissioned to design these one-of-a-kind cottages, each depciting the designers’ own visions of Connecticut  landscapes, history, and the state’s unrivaled natural beauty.  Guests can stay in the Treehouse, perched 35 feet above the forest floor; cozy up in the Beaver Lodge or in the Connecticut Yankee cottage—a tribute to Mark Twain and his literary legacy; or revive a childhood dream in the Helicopter cottage, a meticulously restored 1968 Sikorsky HH-3F Sea King Pelican helicopter inside this beautifully appointed cottage-turned-high-end-hangar. Each visit offers a completely fresh experience—and encourages repeat visits, says Maggie. Forty percent of Winvian’s guests return, eager to try a different cottage, a new season, or simply to re-experience the deep sense of serenity the resort provides.

For LGBTQ+ guests, this authenticity is everything. It’s not just about feeling safe—it’s about feeling celebrated and part of the family fold. 

Whether you visit with a partner, a friend group, or are flying solo…privacy, intimacy and exclusivity are paramount at Winvian. “There is a sense of privacy and anonymity at the resort,” Maggie notes. “All guests sign a confidentiality agreement upon check-in—allowing for total respect and honoring guests’ solitude.”  Smiles, Maggie, “you’d be surprised at who has entered these gates!”

Cottages range in size from 900 to 1200 square feet and feature radiant heated floors, oversized jetted soaking tubs, rainfall steam showers, and wood-burning fireplaces. “When our front gate opens, visitors look around for a moment,” Maggie says. “You can see their awe and wonder. They feel like they’ve arrived at a sanctuary and an oasis while also wondering if they’ve fallen down the rabbit hole, not in a Disney kind of way, but as if you stepped back in time, into a sweet life with no distractions and a sense of ease, calm and whimsy.” Winvian delights both the inner child and their adult counterpart,  she adds. Nightly rates start at $899, including a delicious homemade breakfast.

A CULNARY JOURNEY—FROM SEED TO TABLE 

Dining at Winvian is also an event. Executive Chef Chris Eddy (see sidebar), whose career includes time with such culinary legends as Alain Ducasse and Daniel Boulud, has curated the resort’s renowned “seed-to-table” philosophy. Nearly three-quarters of the produce used at the on-site restaurants come from Winvian’s own three-acre organic farm and four greenhouses.

“Chef Chris is a miracle worker who just keeps getting better and better,” Maggie boasts. “Years ago, he said he wanted to ‘garden responsibly’, while taking stewardship of our beautiful land, and more control of the types of food he served, and he has done just that. I love seeing guests walk through our lush gardens, watch our kitchen staff pick fresh herbs and produce that will be on their plates for lunch and dinner, and occasionally grabbing a berry or two for themselves.”

Dining at The Restaurant at Winvian is an elegant yet unpretentious affair, with an ever-evolving seasonal menu that celebrates fresh, local ingredients. For a more casual experience, Maggie’s Tavern offers craft cocktails, locally brewed beers, and pub-style cuisine in a warm, inviting setting—where even four-legged friends (on a leash) are welcome.

Winvian’s wine cellar has a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and features over 350 labels at the present time, ensuring every meal is paired with the perfect vintage.

A SPA TO REMEMBER  

Winvian’s 5,000-square-foot spa is an oasis of tranquility. Voted the #1 Best Resort Spa in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024, it offers six treatment rooms, including two couples’ suites with wood-burning fireplaces, a sun-filled relaxation area that provides a serene ambiance with a “country- meets-urban” vibe, and a variety of body and facial treatments including Ashiatsu and exclusive selections of specialty products and procedures.  “We call it our happy place” quips Maggie. The spa will soon introduce yoga and ballet barres, further expanding its wellness offerings.  Guests can also relax at the garden side pool, open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.”

A REASON, A SEASON, AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES FOR EVERY TASTE

Wivian is an oasis of calm and provides the perfect get-away for locals in Connecticut, to celebrities and business royalty from afar. Everything from LGBTQ+weddings and galas, to corporate and team-building retreats are offered, as are an array of activities that invite guests to embrace both adventure and nostalgia. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore hiking trails that connect to the vast 4,000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center; try their hand at fly-fishing, go snowshoeing in the winter or take in the stunning Litchfield Hills from a hot air balloon. Each guest room includes two complimentary bicycles, to tour the beautiful grounds, or visitors can go antiquing in some of the best antique shops in the country.

For those who prefer indoor entertainment, Winvian delivers … with, hands-on workshops such as mixology classes, wine tastings, and pastry-making lessons with the resort’s own pastry chef.

“Winvian’s unique blend of activities encourages guests to embrace a sense of play and guests become kids again,” Maggie says. “Grown men find themselves racing bikes, walking away from their devices to discover something like stained glass making.  They’ve stopped ‘the noise’ and are immersed in a quieter, more delightful time, reminiscent of bygone years.”

As Winvian continues to evolve, Maggie’s vision remains clear: expanding the resort with new cottages and multi-bedroom accommodations to welcome even more guests into this extraordinary retreat. “What drives me is that Winvian gives me energy, intimacy, and  a ready-made family,” she says. “I love to see guests of all persuasions, all ages, families, and their grandchildren come and return again to experience the magic. It keeps me young.”

For LGBTQ+ travelers seeking an experience that blends luxury with caprice, and where inclusivity is not just a promise but a practice, Winvian offers something rare: a destination where you can indulge in life’s finer pleasures while feeling entirely, effortlessly yourself.

For more information please visit Winvian’s website at: winvian.com, or call
1-860-567-9600