Does anyone know how booked up Middlebury gets for Feb graduation? Just experienced our first Fall Family Weekend in October and couldn’t find a single room even 9 months in advance. Have heard regular graduation is also a nightmare. We are looking at Feb. 2017 and wondering if we need to be on top of this, as I am hoping to find in-town accommodations for several people, including my elderly mother, so would rather not be too far away. Also, is the graduation generally the first Sat. in February? I contacted the college and of course they don’t have a date yet this far in advance.
The reason it was difficult to find lodging for family weekend is that it corresponds with the leaf-peeping season. Tourists from around the world descend on the state in Oct. Lodging will be more readily available for Feb graduation, however, I would call one year in advance to reserve rooms.
The Swift House will not be an option if you want to be guaranteed rooms. They have a lottery system and you must have sayed at the Inn to be eligible.
I realize you said you want to be in-town, but during your next visit, stop by the Waybury Inn.
http://wayburyinn.com/
Fun fact:http://wayburyinn.com/about-the-waybury-inn/the-bob-newhart-connection/
I have friends whose children are Feb graduates. I don’t recall when the graduation hasn’t been the first weekend.
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@CrewDad Thank you so much for this information. I will definitely check out the Waybury Inn. My elderly mother is a great fan of Bob Newhart! And also I appreciate the advice on the reservations - will definitely get on it a year in advance but not worry so much - now it makes sense why things were so booked for family weekend (and they already are for next Oct. as well!
I don’t know if the issue is leaf peeping - we had quite a bit of trouble getting a room on move-in weekend for the summer language program, and it was the start of the 7-week session, not even the 6-week one. We also had some trouble finding a room for accepted students days last spring, although we were able to get a room at the Waybury Inn.
The OP had trouble getting a room in October. That’s leaf-peeping season.
I’m not surprised. More students attend the language and Broad Loaf programs than do the fall and spring semesters.
In reality, there are not a lot of hotel beds in close proximity to Middlebury.
Book a year in advance and expect to pay then, no refunds for the Marriott and I imagine the other smaller venues. Town will also be full for any other large venue like major sports meets and performances-there really just aren’t many beds nearby. Burlington has plenty but who wants to drive 45 minutes at 10pm?