For those of you who have not had the pleasure of visiting The Inn at Montchanin Village, you are missing out. It should be on your list of local places to visit for many reasons. This charming village offers luxurious accommodations in a quiet countryside setting, where the buildings, pathways and gardens transport you to an enchanting place.
Missy and Dan Lickle took over the property and decided to convert it to a country inn. In 1996, the Lickles opened the Inn at Montchanin Village and Krazy Kat’s Restaurant. The Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and is a Mobil Travel Guide four-star inn. Please visit their site to learn more about this special place.
Q&A with Vera Cornish-Palmatary, General Manager for The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa and Krazy Kat’s:
When was the Inn built? What were the original purposes of those buildings? What is the history of the property?
The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa property dates back to the early 19th-century when the property housed local DuPont mill workers and stonemasons. In fact, the town Montchanin was named after Anne Alexandrine de Montchanin, great-great grandmother of Colonel Henry Algernon DuPont of Winterthur, the grandson of the DuPont Company founder and a civil war hero. Our oldest building, now home to four of our largest suites, dates back to 1799, Dilwyne Barn which now houses guest registration was the original Dairy Barn dating back to 1825, and Krazy Kat’s Restaurant is housed in the original village blacksmith’s shop dating back to 1859. The village experienced it’s largest growth period in 1870 with the opening of DuPont train station as part of the Wilmington Northern Railroad. The Inn, however, has completely renovated these buildings and opened its doors on June 13th, 1996.
How many guest suites are there?
We have a total of 28 units on our property consisting of 12 guest rooms and 16 suites.
What are the guest suites named after?
Rather than have numbers, our rooms are named after friends and family members of the Lickle family.
Do you rent out the reception barn for private events and parties?
Dilwyne Barn contains one of the three private spaces that we have available for functions. We have a conference room in the Barn, a boardroom in the middle of the village, and a private dining room on the top floor of Krazy Kat’s. We have also utilized some of our private garden areas for small weddings in the past. All spaces are fantastic for small corporate functions and private parties.
Who did the landscape design around the property?
Our landscape design was done by Tony Mottola, a phenomenal horticulturist.
We now turn to the Spa at Montchanin Village, which retains the charm and feel guests have come to expect while visiting The Inn.
Each and every treatment I have had at the Spa has been an incredible experience. The Spa, tucked quietly around the rear side of the Reception Barn, provides a tranquil retreat that leaves me feeling rejuvenated every time, without fail. I highly recommend indulging yourself (or a friend) with a treatment at the Spa.
How long has the Spa been open and what are some of your signature treatments?
The Spa is our newest addition to the village having opened in 2008. Although we customize our treatments to best accommodate each guest, some of our signature treatments are listed below.
~ Rose & Linen Age Reversal Facial ~
Indulge in opulence with a luscious firming mask, enriched with age-defying essences that saturates and plumps skin for instant radiance and rejuvenation.
~ Japanese Body Ritual ~
An extraordinary multi-step massage body ritual, developed and perfected in Japan, takes you on an unparalleled journey through oriental techniques to relax and heal from the inside out.
~ Hammam Body Ritual ~
This therapeutic transformation is a seven-step healing massage ritual inspired by Middle Eastern modalities. Prepare to leave the world behind!
~ Healing Massage Ritual ~
Designed to speed healing, this intense massage was created to restore and revitalize over-used muscles. A hybrid of numerous techniques, each service is custom created for you and the needs of your body.
Krazy Kat’s Restaurant is located within The Village and features fresh, seasonal Northeast cuisine, while offering an eclectic fine dining menu. Krazy Kat’s now offers a specialized spa menu, as well as breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Behind the huge wooden door of the renovated blacksmith’s shop, lies a charming, cozy restaurant with eclectic decor to emphasize the theme of the ‘Krazy Kat’.
Where did the name Krazy Kat’s come from? What type of cuisine does Krazy Kat’s offer?
Krazy Kat’s was named after an eccentric woman who rented the space and ran a small store. One of our owner’s, Missy, recalls her grandmother calling the renter “One Krazy Kat”. We’ve attempted to stay true to her eccentric style with Krazy Kat’s whimsical interior décor. Krazy Kat’s is a fine dining restaurant focusing on innovative, fresh, seasonal cuisine.
