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78 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2016 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT › Tourism, Arts & Culture W invian Farm in Morris, a small town in Northwestern Connecti- cut, is not your average bed and breakfast. e historic, 113-acre estate fea- tures 18 individually-designed cottages that each offer a Connecticut-inspired treat. Winvian Farm has been in the Smith family since 1948, when Winthrop Smith and his wife Vivian purchased the historic estate and its circa 1775 manor house, combining their first names and considerable talents to make it their own. e idea for turning the property into a luxury resort came from their granddaughter, Heather Smith, who along with her mother Maggie and brother Win Smith III, transformed the property into a destination. Creative reuse e idea to turn the estate into an upscale resort came to Heather Smith while she was working at another Smith family property, the Pitcher Inn in Vermont. At that time, accord- ing to Heather, her mother "had been back and forth about what to do with Winvian." Heather, who is both president and man- aging director at Winvian Farm, recalled that her mother didn't want to sell the property that served as a private second home for the family, for fear it would be subdivided and developed. "But at the same time, the prop- erty was just sitting there and being watched over by a caretaker," she said. "I had an initial conversation with Mom about turning the property into what it is now. She loved the idea, and then the real planning began." e result, which opened in 2006, is more of an experience than an overnight stay. Starting with the Hadley Suite, de- scribed by Win Smith III as "a sumptuous retreat" and "a true historic experience with every modern comfort," each accommoda- tion is steeped in Connecticut history. "e architects were instructed that their cottages had to reflect Connecticut," Heather Smith explained. For example, architect Malcolm Appleton designed the Helicopter Cottage, inside of which is a retired, fully-restored Coast Guard helicop- ter manufactured by Connecticut-based Sikorsky. Its rotor blades are embedded in the ceiling, and guests can enjoy cocktails in the cockpit and then relax in a "cloud-so" king-sized bed outside the helicopter. e Charter Oak Cottage takes its inspi- ration from the famous Connecticut author and former resident, Mark Twain. e outside of the cottage is New England clapboard, but inside guests will find rich fabrics and stun- ning antiques suitable for a king's chamber, as well as a fireplace and Stonehenge-like rock formations outlining the tub. Visitors may choose to spend the night in such diverse locations as a beaver lodge, a treehouse, a musical conservatory, a green- house or an artist's colony. No matter their preference, they are assured to have their senses piqued and their spirits refreshed. e facility also features a 5,000-square- foot spa that offers hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, yoga and massage. Bikes are parked at the door of each cottage so that guests can explore the winding paths and roam the grounds at will. And a 40-foot swimming pool can be found in the middle of a green meadow, located near the luscious Winvian Farm organic gardens. In the summer, a host of activities are available, including fishing, kayaking, canoe- ing, paddle boarding, river tubing and horse- back riding. For the adventurous, hot-air balloon rides depart either around sunrise, or just before sunset, weather permitting. Perhaps the most unforgettable experi- ence of a visit to Winvian is when the re- nowned Litchfield Hills restaurant opens in the evening and famed Executive Chef Chris Eddy works his magic. "Our chef rivals the best of the best and is a champion for non-GMO, organic food," said Heather Smith. Most of the ingredients used in his creations come directly from the organic gardens and the working farm itself. "We are repeatedly told by our guests who travel the world that Winvian Farm has provided them with one of, if not the best dining experiences, not only for the roman- tic, cozy atmosphere, but for the world-class food served here," she said. ❑ A Unique Destination in the Litchfield Hills By Joan Hunt Above: Winvian Farm is a bed and breakfast offering stays in unusual settings like this treehouse. At right: Maggie Smith, who operates Winvian Farm with her two children, Heather and Win. PHOTOS/WINIVAN FARM