Reading Farms Estate

This is a long overdue review and, to be honest, no amount of fawning will ever be enough for this one of a kind estate.

My wife and I held our wedding and next day festivities at Reading Farms Estate and we could not have been any happier. Honestly no pictures are vivid enough to capture the sheer elegance of Reading Farms Estate or its truly private nature.

As so many of the reviewers have pointed out, Reading Farms Estate is a portal to another place and time. Old world elegance and charm come to mind but it is so much more. The main house is an art and food lovers dream, housing not only an impressive and what I can only assume generations long collection of thoughtfully curated paintings, sculptures and prints; but also boasts a the single best kitchen of any house I have ever seen. All this and a choice of pool or pond for swimming, a theatre and well equipped gym, a well stocked library and enough room for 20 adults to spread out and enjoy silence.

Throughout the entire planning process, Stacy was not only professional, prompt and knowledgeable but also incredibly kind and insightful. He’s knows every inch, nook and cranny of Reading Farms Estate and was the perfect guide to assist us every step of the way. Answering all of our many questions, co-ordinating with our planners and encouraging us to think outside the box and really personalize our wedding. His property manager, Matt, is also a tremendous help and is one of the most true and genuine persons I have ever met.

My wife and I are both so happy and thrilled with our stay, our festivities and our wedding at Reading Farms Estate. Stacy and Reading Farms Estate provided us with memories we never thought possible and neither of us can express just how warmly we and our guests were received nor can we ever say enough about this truly special and unique place.

Well. Based on the website, my expectations were high – – but always guarded-- and my interaction with the owners prior to renting The Farm was probably guarded on their part as well. I now know why.

The approach, the property entrance, the care and attention to detail, and the lovely little touches, all added to what I can confidently say was a superlative property and experience for everyone.

Our gathering was a family get together of 20 people, spanning many ages. All loved the place and were wowed by the lovely grounds, stewardship by the owners, and surprises around every corner. For example, the ponds were stocked with fish that the little ones loved feeding. The bedrooms were made up with luxury touches all around, and the movie theater had massage chairs. The gazebo had a fun hot tub.

And all was overseen with a high degree of care and attention of the owners and caretakers. The rooms and common areas were immaculate. When the grill ran out of propane, a replacement was on site in minutes. (don't miss the bonfire with their Smore's and fun surprises – – not to be missed and you can't duplicate what they do, and their surprises, with a trip to the local grocery store, so go with their package).

It's hard to summarize the experience we had, as there is something akin to good karma that pervades The Farm, as described frequently by Stacy. The best evidence of the fun everyone in the family had is that each have asked me when we can go again. And we will.

Not to be missed. A bargain for what you get. A carefully curated property evidenced by loving ownership.

A beautiful property that will not disappoint, cared for by lovely people who know what to do. James and Mojan

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The photos on the website in no way prepare one for the drive up to the grand old manor house. The grounds are immaculate, and the house is so interesting, and comfortable. You need a week to discover all the hidden wonders on the property. Unfortunately, we only had four days, so we will have to go back.

From the beautiful grounds to the classic architecture to the comfy rooms and the no detail left undone--it's so hard to describe. It's truly perfect in every sense of the word. 80th birthday party with family--extraordinary in every way!!

Stacy, Matt and Lisa are terrific. We felt like honored guests. We asked a lot of upfront detailed questions to ensure our family celebration would come together. They were always responsive, quick to help and our stay could not have been more perfect! We all agreed we must come back and stay longer....two nights isn't enough!

We have just returned from our week at Reading Farms, and the whole family is raving about our Christmas stay. We had expected a skiing vacation, but as the whole Northeast US knows, there was not a flake of snow, and the temps were in the 50's. Not to worry!

Our group of 12 adults and kids ages 7-18 were on the go constantly - hiking the superb trails throughout the property, hot tubbing, movie watching in the theatre, lots and lots of board games (supplied by the House), and some intense nearby indoor tennis. Not to mention shopping in Woodstock, of course.

The best part, though, was the house and its magical comfort. We fit so many people so easily, we were not crowded together and yet the spaces are large enough for the whole group, and small enough for privacy. The rooms reminded me of our house in Connecticut, with the eclectic art collection, books, rugs, and furnishings. The excellent old Steinway was a huge draw, and our Christmas carols must have echoed over the mountains. The roomy kitchen was constantly in motion with our group chefs preparing breakfast and lunch/ and then we relaxed for delicious and copious dinners created by the house chefs.

Stacy was on the job all the time, as were caretaker Matt and his wife Liza, tending to all of our little needs. Wow.

Thank you Stacy and Rich. It was amazing.