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A perfect weekend getaway: Normandy Farm celebrates 5th anniversary
By: Frank D. Quattrone - Ticket Editor
06/11/2008
Vacations aren't what they used to be. Because of rising gas prices and airline fares, the average American, for the first time in years, will be looking for vacation spots much closer to home - if they go anywhere at all.
This year, when even weekends at the shore or in the mountains might seem pricier than ever, might be a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the treasures in our own backyards. But the joy of discovery and the feeling of holiday are clearly enhanced when you can find a retreat close to home - for a romantic getaway, a springboard to local attractions you haven't seen for some time or a breather from everyday realities.
For all of these reasons, this might be the perfect time to visit historic Normandy Farm. Now celebrating its fifth year of operation under the aegis of Hansen Properties, Inc., Normandy Farm, anchored by its award-winning Coleman Restaurant, is a world-class hotel and conference center offering an array of recreational facilities.
To the Main Hotel's 113 rooms, which include three suites, and the four suites each available in the East and West Gate Houses just off the main building, Normandy Farm has just added nine suites in the recently opened Carriage House (April 2008) and eight more in the brand-new Manor House, which, aptly enough, was once a roadside tavern and hostelry.
That makes a total of 141 units throughout the attractive complex.
Enclosed by its imposing white stucco walls, Normandy Farm offers enough history, great dining and amenities to satisfy the most jaded traveler.
Situated roughly 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia with all its historical and cultural attractions, and even closer to King of Prussia, where the second largest mall in the country stands minutes away from Valley Forge National Historical Park, the complex provides excellent getaway features.
Director of Sales & Marketing Alan Garabedian says, "Even though we're centrally located on Route 202, all the rooms are quiet. There's a sense of privacy you might not find elsewhere.
"We're like a hub, where the spokes of the wheel take you wherever you want to go - from New Hope and Peddler's Village to King of Prussia. And we're not a cookie-cutter hotel. All the rooms are different. You can have everything here that travelers need and love."
The hotel even offers free shuttle service to sites within 10 miles of the complex and, in the event of inclement weather, will shuttle you from your room to the restaurant - unless you'd care to "rough it," as you'll find tennis umbrellas available at the entrance to every building.
Each of the charming new Carriage House suites, bathed in tones of warm burgundy and light gold, comes equipped with microwave, refrigerator, hardwood doors, high-definition plasma TVs and iPod clock radios, not to mention unusual angles and dormers. And for the sake of business travelers on extended stays, the rooms have a spacious sitting area and Internet access.
The three-story Manor House, which opened at the end of May, also has an elevator, several fireplaces and whirlpools. By the end of summer, also look for an attractive landscaped gazebo between the two wings of the Carriage House.
"The whole idea," according to Garabedian, "is to make the complex as relaxing and comfortable as a country retreat can be. After all, Normandy Farm used to be a working farm."
The property dates back to 1730, when it was first purchased by Jacob Levering, who eventually passed it on to his daughter Catherine and her husband, Jacob Heist, who built the Franklin House, or Franklinville Inn, a popular tavern and restaurant, fittingly, probably at the site of the main house resting on Morris Road at Route 202.
The property ultimately passed into the hands of two gentleman farmers who were also involved in the publishing business. William Singerly, a prominent Philadelphian who named the 68-acre property the Record Farm after his own Philadelphia Record newspaper, purchased the property in 1873, built the barn that still stands more than 126 years later, grew the farm to 825 acres and pioneered new agricultural techniques.
The property was broken up and sold off to various local farmers after his death in 1898. Part of it came into the hands of another prominent Philadelphia businessman and publisher named William Strassburger, a founder of Montgomery Newspapers, who renamed it Normandy Farm after the province in France where he honeymooned with his wife, the daughter of the president of Singer Sewing Machine Company.
Garabedian recounts one legend about the origin of the complex's distinctive white stucco walls.
"The Strassburgers, it is said, especially the missus, got used to sunbathing au naturel when they were in France, and continued the practice when they returned to Normandy Farm. Not to encourage gawkers, her husband built the walls for privacy."
Because of problems with the IRS, the Strassburgers chose to return to France. Although his wife and son came back to the Blue Bell property after Strassburger's death in 1959, the family gradually sold off parts of the property until son Peter died in 1993. The family eventually sold the land to various developers, including Hansen Properties, Inc., which acquired the barn with its three distinctive silos and the adjoining historic structures, now beautifully refurbished and serving as one of the area's major hotel and conference centers.
In the Main Hotel, guests will find several amenities. Besides Coleman Restaurant (look for a Ticket to Dining column on it in next week's edition), there is a state-of-the-art fitness center with treadmills, Life cycles and free weights; an attractive swimming pool large enough to swim laps in, with a Jacuzzi and a colorful mural of the barn, silos and estate at the turn of the century (19th to 20th); and a game room with pool table, poker table, dartboard and more; and an in-house florist named Floral Design.
In addition to the complex's offering full-service packages for meetings, conferences, weddings and parties of every kind (Normandy Farm accommodates as many as 175 weddings each year) and limited access to golfing in nearby Blue Bell Country Club, it also offers team-building events and activities, as does Floral Design.
Standard rooms at the Main Hotel start at $199 on weekdays and $149 on weekends. The suites in the outlying buildings, including the Carriage House and Manor House, run about $70 or $80 more per night. Normandy Farm also offers several weekend and anniversary Romance Packages that include either dinner or Sunday Brunch at Coleman Restaurant. Please call 215-616-8500 for more information.
So as you consider your options for holidays this summer and beyond, be sure to factor in Normandy Farm - in its fifth year and still evolving into a modern landmark creating new chapters in the history of the venerable old farm.
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November 12, 2007
Dear Paul,
This letter is long overdue. For the past 2 years I have been staying at your establishment 2-3 weeks out of every month. In my career, I have been required to live “on the road” for quite some time. I have not unpacked my bags in 28 years. Although I am a member of all the common “point accruing” hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, etc.), I choose to stay at Normandy Farm. There is a reason for this. You and your staff make me feel like I’m home.
From the time I enter and am greeted by Adam, or am welcomed by Marissa, Matt, Chase, or T.G. behind the desk, or am touched by the intuitive concern of Susan or Josie, to the conversation with Jeff or Tamara as they pour a cocktail, I am home. I know that the secret to a well functioning team is in the recruiting, the training, the example you set, and the constant care from the manager. In this regard, I sincerely congratulate you. Normandy Farm is a success story.
With your indulgence, I would like to cite a recent experience as an example of this success. Last week I hosted a dinner, with Merck, in your Presidential Room. My corporate VP of Sales and Marketing flew in, from Germany, to attend the event. I looked to Ray Sowden for advice in coordinating the meal. He introduced me to your chef, Ed Hancock, and together the three of us began to plan. I must admit, their recommendation was rather non-traditional. It was a four course dinner including choices of game or seafood. We also selected the wines to accompany the meal. Well, the food, the wine, the service, and the format were all superb. I highly suggest that you recommend it to your future patrons conducting professional meetings with dinner. It was the perfect format for serious business conversations, light-hearted stories, and overall fun. The service provided by Greg and Jessica was professional and non-interruptive, as they communicated the menu, kept the glasses full, and served the courses of food. Here is an e-mail excerpt, which I received the next day, from one of the Merck scientists: “Gary, thanks much for hosting the dinner last night. I don't know how you worked it with Normandy Farm. The food is always excellent, but last night was awesome.” Ray, your advice was perfect. Thank you so much.
Paul, things don’t always come together, but they sure did that night! And, they seem to every time I walk through your hotel doors. That’s why I choose to stay at Normandy Farm. Again, congratulations to you and on the performance of your team.
Sincerely,
Gary J. Boch
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Maureen,
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. I was in PA last week and just wanted to say that the new hotel (Normandy Farm) is excellent.
Good central location, nice atmosphere, great food etc and a reasonable price.
Hope we are going to keep using it!
Thanks,
Mike
ICON Clinical Research
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