Savoring Summer at the Manor House Inn: A Retreat into Presence and Wellbeing

There’s a certain kind of light in the Litchfield Hills—soft, golden, and unhurried. It lingers. It rests. And in that pause, something opens. At the Manor House Inn in Norfolk, Connecticut, summer becomes more than a season—it becomes a threshold. A chance to slow down, to listen, and to savor.

This is not simply poetic indulgence. In the lexicon of positive psychology, savoring is a conscious act—a way of tuning the heart and mind toward joy, toward meaning, toward the fullness of lived experience.

The Quiet Science of Savoring

Fred Bryant, a founding figure in this field, describes savoring as the practice of "stretching" positive emotions. It isn’t passive. It asks something of us: attention, presence, reverence. And in return, it gives us a deeper sense of wellbeing.

Research shows that this practice—of noticing, of lingering in what’s good—can increase happiness and life satisfaction. Whether it’s watching mist rise over Haystack Mountain, or simply feeling the warmth of the inn’s sunlit porch beneath your bare feet, the Manor House Inn creates space for those kinds of moments.

The science identifies three stages of savoring:

• Anticipation: The spark of joy before a trip, a meal, a conversation.
• Immersion: The full-bodied presence we feel when we’re in the middle of something beautiful.
• Reminiscence: The afterglow, when memory becomes a kind of sanctuary.

The Manor House Inn is thoughtfully designed to support all three.

A Landscape That Invites Reflection

Anticipation begins the moment you start imagining your stay. Perhaps you see yourself walking the wooded trails of Campbell Falls, or curling up with a book in the sunroom while summer rainclouds roll gently over the hills.

Immersion comes easily here. You might wander barefoot through gardens. Listen to birdsong in the early morning. Or spend an afternoon in digital silence—letting your attention return to its natural pace.

Reminiscence is woven into the way guests depart. They leave with pressed leaves tucked in journals, with stories to tell, and often with a small shift inside—a sense that something quiet and real happened here.

Summer Activities for Body, Mind, and Spirit

Hiking the Litchfield Hills: Trails like Haystack and Dennis Hill  offer natural beauty with spiritual resonance. Time in green spaces has been shown to reduce stress and restore mental clarity. It’s no wonder that many guests return from a morning hike feeling not just lighter, but more grounded.

Leisurely Breakfasts: Mornings at the Inn begin with seasonal, locally sourced meals—perhaps baked French toast with fresh berries, or a frittata made with herbs from the garden. These shared meals echo research showing that positive relationships and mindful eating are powerful contributors to lasting wellbeing.

Cultural Immersion: Norfolk in summer is alive with concerts on the green, art exhibits, and nature-immersive learning experiences at Great Mountain Forest's Woodlands Academy and more.  The photos above are from Weekend in Norfolk, a town-wide summer festival with historic tours, live music, novel learning experiences, and more. 

These experiences contribute to a sense of meaning—what   Martin Seligman calls one of the five pillars of flourishing. To stroll through the village and to engage with community is to touch the hum of human creativity and connection.

A Savoring Ritual to Try

Before your arrival, try this:

• Anticipate: Choose one moment you’re looking forward to—perhaps sipping wine at sunset or reading in the Adirondack chairs.
• Immerse: Once you arrive, notice something small each day. A scent. A texture. A phrase overheard. Let it anchor you.
• Reminisce: Before you leave, create a memory box: a pebble, a photo, a phrase scribbled on a notepad. Reflect later and revisit the experience in quiet moments at home.

Why the Manor House Inn?

In a culture that often chases quick thrills—bright lights, instant wins, constant stimulation—it’s easy to confuse excitement with fulfillment. Casino getaways, amusement overload, and endless activities promise hits of dopamine, but leave many feeling strangely hollow in the aftermath. By contrast, a retreat rooted in savoring offers something deeper and more enduring. It nourishes the quieter parts of us—the ones that long for meaning, connection, and beauty. At the Manor House Inn, joy doesn’t flash and fade. It settles in, stretches out, and stays with you long after you leave.

Built in 1898 and lovingly restored, we offer eight spacious suites, some with fireplaces or whirlpool tubs. Our eco-conscious approach— earth-friendly amenities, local ingredients, sustainable practices—embodies the spirit of purposeful alignment and wellbeing. This is not just a getaway. It’s a place where your inner life has room to unfold. Located in the historic Village of Norfolk, but only steps away from hundreds of acres of protected lands with beautiful hiking and biking year-round, our enchanted corner of Connective offers a nature-immersive escape perfectly suited to active outdoor adventures or restful retreats in Litchfield Hills.



Come Savor With Us

The invitation is simple: Come as you are. Stay as long as you need. Leave more fully yourself.

Book your summer retreat now and rediscover the beauty of lingering, of presence, of joy.

We’d love to hear what you’ve savored. Share your reflections and stories using the hashtags:
#WellbeingRetreat #SavorSummer #ManorHouseInn #PositivePsychology #LitchfieldHills