Welcome to the Golden Lion Riverside Inn

We are a family of six and the owners of the Golden Lion Inn since 2003. During those years we have sought to maintain the level of service and hospitality for which the Golden Lion has become renowned, while working to upgrade the facilities themselves. We have put in a new deck, air conditioning in the rooms, all new mattresses, as well as many other projects.

There is so much to do in the Mad River Valley and Central Vermont, but I wanted to use this page to focus on all the things we offer here at the Golden Lion as well as to tell you a little bit about our property. There are so many beautiful spots in the valley, but I can't think of a better place to put an inn. We are conveniently located at the point where the Sugarbush access road meets rural Vermont Route 100. Our property on the south is bounded by Clay Brook, a steep mountain stream. Summer guests on the south side of the property throw open their windows to hear the water cascading down to meet the Mad River, which marks our eastern border.

If you haven't already, please check out our breakfast page to see what you can expect to eat when you stay at the Golden Lion Riverside Inn. In the evening, feel free to relax in our hot tub after a long day.

Our Littlest Innkeepers  

One of the most wonderful things about the Golden Lion is the wide variety of people who stay here. We welcome families and pets, but also those who come to Vermont for a quiet, romantic getaway. Michael suffers allergies and so appreciates keeping some areas of the inn free from pets, smoking, or other potential allergens. Similarly, please let us know if you have special dietary concerns or food allergies and we will do our best to craft a breakfast to fit your needs.

Following is a little bit more about some of the interesting things to do here at the inn.

The Upper Property

The Golden Lion enjoys ample outside space. You can have a picnic down in the woods or set up on the upper lawn. The Kingsbury Greenway trail connects the far side of the property with a beaver pond. It's an easy hike of 30-40 minutes round trip. Very early morning or just before dusk is the best time to see beavers and other wildlife.

The Riverside Beach

The riverside is a great place to relax or just take a stroll. With its trees and the mountain rising on the other side of the river, you will feel as if you were in the middle of a great forest. Bring your lunch down to our picnic table. You can fish along the river here, or even take a dip in the swimming hole. We have gold panning equipment should the gold-fever strike.

Children should not be left unattended down by the river. The river swells during the spring or after a big rainstorm and the water is almost irresistable to young children. Nevertheless, with a little caution, time spent along the riverside can be one of the most pleasant moments of your trip.

The Hot Tub

The Hot Tub is located outside on the deck adjacent to the lobby. It holds five people comfortably and is a welcome pleasure after a day on the the nearby slopes or trails. In fact any excuse will do. We keep the tub heated throughout the year as we enjoy using it ourselves. You may leave your shoes, towels and clothing in the back entrance to the lobby. We do have some extra bathing suits and robes in the lobby if you forget yours.

Please check with us before using the tub as there are times and rules that must be adhered to in order to keep the tub available to all and above all, safe for our guests.