We are pleased to announce that the readers of The Complete Guide to Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Guesthouses in the United States, Canada and Worldwide by Pamela Lanier have voted Albergo Allegria in Windham, New York as our 2000 Inn of the Year.

Albergo Allegria means "Inn of Happiness" in Italian. It's an apt name for a Bed & Breakfast that has been so lovingly restored and carefully maintained, and whose guests are always delighted with their stay. Innkeepers Lenore and Vito Radelich completed work on this Victorian haven in 1986. When their daughter and son-in-law, Marianna and Leslie Leman, joined them in 1993, Albergo Allegria became a two-generation operation. Vito and Marianna are the inn chefs, and serve enticing breakfast entrees to their guests every morning that satisfy even the heartiest appetites. The chef's imaginative repertoire includes buttermilk pancakes made with fresh blueberries, local apples laced with cinnamon or bananas and finely chopped pecans. On other days, guests are treated to stuffed French Toast, Belgium waffles or crepes.

16 guestrooms and 5 suites offer guests cozy down comforters, plush carpeting and modern conveniences of full private baths, TVs with VCR and telephones. Twelve of the rooms are named for the 12 months of the year and the four suites after the 4 seasons. Guestrooms feature antiques and period wallpapers. The Master Suite boasts a king size bed with featherbed, sunken Double Jacuzzi, gas log fireplace framed with historic solid oak floorboards and an antique wedding certificate from 1899. 5 Carriage House suites are located behind the main inn. 15-foot ceilings, skylights, king beds, double whirlpool tubs, marble-clad gas fireplaces, and private out-door space create idyllic getaways for discerning travelers.

Albergo Allegria is nestled in the Northern Catskill Mountains complete with mountain lakes, scenic overlooks and waterfalls. The mountains are open year-round and offer many outdoor activities. Mountain biking, hiking, golf, bird watching, tennis, antique shops, Alpine and Nordic skiing and gourmet restaurants all entertain the town's guests and residents throughout the year.

Vito, Lenore, Marianna and Leslie have earned their kudos. We offer many congratulations to them as well as our warm wishes for continued success.