Blog

“Winter Vacation , Valentine’s Day and the President’s Holiday are here….time to head to the Mountains of Southern Vermont!

Our wish for a snowy winter is coming true as it’s been snowing every day over the past few weeks and Bromley and Stratton Mountain(s) are running on all trails.

Here at the Casablanca Motel we psyched for the school vacation and long holiday weekend..ARE YOU READY?

Our office is brewing a variety of Green Mountain coffee along with some holiday treats before you check into one of our comfy and toasty warm cabins.

Planning a special celebration? Birthday party? Anniversary? We offer in-room platters to suit your needs.  With a 48 hour notice we’ll surprise your special someone with a unique Vermont platter.

Our gift cabinet offers Vermont Maple Syrup, Maple candies and Vermont Teddy bears and Moose… even the big ‘kids’ love a Vermont made treat!

While staying with us, did you know that you can XC ski or snowshoe from your cabin door?  Take a sleigh ride  at Taylor Farm, Merck Forest and Mountain View Ranch or rent a pair of skates at Riley Rink Hunter Park…If you’re really adventurous, Land Rover Driving School will take you on an unforgettable mountain drive , or you can try your skill at  ‘mushing’ with a Dog Sledding team or for a real treat why not relax and use the spa and pool at the Equinox Resort Hotel. ($)

Stratton and Bromley Mountain’s are within 20 minutes of our cabins and offer skiing, snowboarding, tubing, skating , and snowmobiling along with indoor activities as well.

Have we whetted your winter appetite yet????  Because our local farm to table, chef owned restaurants can’t wait to showcase their winter specials. Visit the new Fortunata Sausage & Cheese and New Morning Natural Foods & Juice Bar-or the Vermont Only shop-  they have something for everyone!

Oh and don’t forget -PETS ARE WELCOME IN SELECT CABINS—traveling with you pet? No problem   Give us a call -PLEASE NOTE_  Pet friendly rooms are ONLY available through direct call—we do not offer them on our extranet sites such as Trip Advisor or Booking.com.

BOOK EARLY and come be part of Vermont’s 4 Season Destination Town-Manchester-and of course be sure to stay at the “Best Retro Escape in Vermont”  our very own Casablanca Motel!

There’s always something happening here in Manchester and for more information  check out visitmanchestervt.com or give us a call at 802-362-2145. We’ll be happy to keep you posted on fun events

It’s that time of the year again when the days are hot and sunny and the nights are cool and crisp. Fair season is winding down, the kids are back to school and the fall harvest has begun in earnest.

If you are looking for yet another reason to visit Vermont this fall , the Vermont Apple Orchards are ripe with an abundant crop this year. Did you know that when you visit a participating local orchard you can purchase and pick apples for donation to the Vermont Food Bank?  The State of Vermont has also placed a “wooden apple” that is hanging on a tree in participating orchards and finding that apple you can redeem it for an I Pad or other Apple electronic accessories!

There’s nothing like heading to the orchard, picking a fresh apple off the tree and enjoying the juicy crispness of Vermont’s own bounty.  Here in Southern Vermont you need not go far to taste homemade apple cider donuts, fresh hot apple pie and apple crisp and enjoy a day out in the Vermont hills.  We suggest the checking out the following:  The Apple Barn & Bake Shop, Mad Tom Orchard, Propagation Piece Orchard, Terry’s Apple Orchard and of course Dutton’s Farm Stand.

Can you guess which is the most popular apple in the state???  Do you know there are over 100 varieties of apples in our Vermont Orchards?

Stay with us, and we will treat you to an apple to begin your stay-and a guide to where to find the best apples in the State….

The sun is setting earlier, the nights are getting a bit cooler and the apples are in season…this can only mean that School is about to begin!  It’s been a fabulous summer here at the Casablanca Motel with our guests bbq’ing,having some sing-a-longs around the campfire and rollicking games of volleyball, badminton,  and horseshoes just to name a few. Our inaugural Paint-and-Sip class was a blast and 20 guests took home a memorable painting of one of our cabins. Several family reunions this year took over the grounds along with our VT Summer Horse Festival regulars and some nifty 50’s cars during the Manchester Antique Car Show added to our charm and appeal as the ‘Best Retro Escape in Vermont’ as we were awarded by Yankee Magazine.

But now the ‘dog days’ of summer have arrived, the Fair season is in full swing and the teachers and students are back to class.  This is a perfect time to head to Manchester and the Mountains to pick up some great deals at the Designer Outlet stores ..to bone up on your history lessons regarding Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys and Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Family Home or discover a new trail in the Green Mountain National Forest.

Apples are in season at Mad Tom’s Orchard, roadside stands and our Farmer’s Market have pumpkins and winter crops arriving daily and of course the leaves are starting to turn…… it won’t be long till Fall Foliage season.

Vermont Antique Weekend , The Garlic Festival and the Southern Vermont Arts and Craft Festival are coming soon to our area—

BOOK NOW for the very best rates….With only 10 cabins our property books us fast.  Booking can be done directly or via our Booking.com webpage.  Remember if bringing the family pet, you must call us to reserve a pet friendly cabin.

In the meantime-THINK Apple Crisp, THINK cooler nights and warmer days!

Come RELAX< REJUVENATE<UNWIND  at the Casablanca Motel—we’re looking forward to having you experience Vermont as it should be!

It’s springtime in Vermont and here at the Casablanca Motel, we’re shaking off the winter blues and getting the cabins spruced up for the upcoming season. We’ve just finished painting the porches and touching up the cabins as well as replacing our tub surrounds in 3 of our cabins (more throughout the upcoming year) and we can’t be happier with how fresh and new our bathrooms look!
We’re now watching the migrating birds through Vermont and have our fair share of families-a nesting pair of yellow throated sparrows along with phoebe’s and some flycatchers. Be sure to be on the lookout as you come onto the property-mom and dad are busy tending nests and we expect the little ones by mid May to delight our guests as they take to the air for the first time.
Speaking of changes in the air, we have changed one of our cabins! That’s right; we are honoring our Shires of Vermont heritage by renaming our Abenaki cabin -the Shires. What a great way to celebrate this unique Vermont designation. Do you know the history of the shires?

Vermont´s southwest corner´s geographic designation may be Bennington County but in recent years our residents and visitors have branded this beautiful region nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains as The Shires of Vermont. It has the unusual distinction of having two shire towns, historically referred to as county seats. Anchored by Bennington, the South Shire, and Manchester, the North Shire, it is a collective of 15 quintessential Vermont towns and villages connected by a scenic ribbon of highway known as Historic Route 7A. Surrounded by mountains and enriched by the waters of the famous Batten Kill that runs through the valley, The Shires has historically been a popular four season destination for those seeking the authentic Vermont experience.

So come visit the Casablanca Motel and relax and unwind…We look forward to having you experience life as it should be and all for an affordable price!

Welcome to a season of MUSIC, ARTS, and THEATER here in the Shires of Vermont ! Just listen to what Hills Alive has to say:

“For generations, the hills and vistas of Southern Vermont have inspired artists, and patrons of the arts, to create and curate outstanding cultural opportunities. In this special place, Hills Alive celebrates four seasons of live music, world-class theater, fine art and masterworks. From Bennington to Manchester to Dorset, to the jewel that is Weston Village, memorable moments are here for the making.

Our storybook villages showcase premier arts venues – contemporary and fine art galleries, theaters, performance halls – with a rich accompaniment of award-winning lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities. Hang your hat at a boutique hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast. Sample the farm to table food and drink that sets our region apart from the rest. Soak it up, and savor it.

While warm hospitality, incredible cuisine and stunning landscapes make Southern Vermont a popular destination, our special events, exhibits and performances make it an unforgettable experience. Hills Alive is So Vermont. A concert beneath the stars, a gallery tour, an off-broadway show… A wine tasting and a symphony, a picnic among the sculpture gardens… These opportunities and more are waiting for you. And you are invited! ”

Be sure to check out one or all of these great venues: Dorset Theater, Weston Playhouse, Marble House Project , Green Mountain Academy, Manchester Music Festival, Northshire Performing Arts, Oldcastle Theater, Southern Vermont Arts

Be sure to ask us about our   “INNKEEPER SPECIALS” to any of these events!  Come stay with us and enjoy the Arts in our area!

Did you know that the Casablanca Motel hosted one of the largest ‘family’ reunions?   Well when Manchester celebrated it’s 250th birthday party, the Casablanca Motel was in the thick of the action.  The US Navy Dixieland Band and over 250 of the towns folks and visitors enjoyed a concert and picnic right here on our grounds.  We enjoy having groups stay with us and using our grounds to the fullest. Did you see our Harley Group from Beantown ?or our Bike Tour from Long Island? They make the Casablanca Motel their ‘home away from home’ while they are here.  Nothing like a great day out and coming back to relax by a roaring fire pit or try your hand at a game of horseshoes or volleyball.

Oh yes, we have had plenty of comments on our unique game cabinet (some might even call it a Privy’) filled with bocce, horseshoes, badminton and volleyball gear . As the stars come out, Linda has the fire blazing , Diane might even bring out a guitar-and the fun under the stars begins.  Don’t forget your Hershey bar and marshmallows!

And if you’re worried about those pesky mosquitoes-relax and enjoy our screened, lit and free wifi in the gazebo.  Board and card games, books and just plain relaxing….

So don’t let summer pass you by—bring your family, bring your friends and make it a weekend to remember!