WEST PARIS — Imagine sitting on top of a mountain – the sun beating down, a cool breeze sweeping across your neck, leaves fluttering on the trees, hawks and eagles gliding through the sky.

Now, imagine that, plus all the amenities you could possibly need – including an in-ground pool, a hot tub, iPads, 42-inch flat screen TVs with Bose Surround Sound and a pub – under one roof.

At the peak of Pinnacle Mountain, tucked away on 52 acres in West Paris, sits a bed and breakfast owned by John Lemmon and his fiancé, Mary Robinson.

In August 2011, the Pennsylvania couple were looking for a place to get married when they discovered a well-built, three-story 1993 plantation-style home in West Paris.

“We looked at a place called Ski Esta, up by Sunday River, a very large home with 14 bedrooms, a big great room, a nice view, and we thought that’d be an ideal place to have the wedding,” Lemmon said.

“But it turns out, the Ski Esta was booked … so our Realtor said, ‘Let me show you this other place.'”

At the time, the house was owned by Bob and Jannaruth Jenner – and it was on the market.

“We came up, and were here exactly eight minutes when I looked at Mary and nodded at her, then said to the Realtor, ‘We really aren’t interested in renting it, but we want to buy it,'” he said.

Eight months later, the house was transformed into the Inn at Pinnacle Mountain.

‘Meant to be’

Even though the couple owned businesses in Pennsylvania, they said buying the inn last August was the smartest move they’ve ever made.

“We had … planned, maybe in another two, three years, selling the businesses and moving up here and opening a B&B,” Lemmon said.

But when the couple saw the house, they couldn’t help but jump at the chance. “It was something we always wanted to do,” he said. “I said, ‘Mary, look at this place.'”

The couple said they travel all over the world and typically try to stay in B&Bs.

“There’s a certain ambiance, a certain lifestyle; it’s interesting to talk to the innkeepers and other guests,” Lemmon said. Compared to staying at a B&B, a hotel room feels like sleeping in a “box,” he said.

According to the couple, when they bought the property they knew it had “a lot of potential.” They said not only did they love the house, but everything surrounding it, especially the peace and quiet.

“If you sit for exactly 10 seconds, you will hear it,” Lemmon said. “It’s quiet, it’s peaceful – you can hear your heartbeat here.”

The front porch offers a direct view of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.

Robinson said the couple sold their townhouse in Newtown, Pa., “in just one day, which means it was meant to be.”

Ready for guests

Some modifications were done to the inn, Lemmon said, such as adding to the already-existing farmer’s porch, including large plantation-style steps (perfect for weddings) and an outdoor kitchen.

“Everything is new, all the bedding is new, the flooring, the carpet. Everything has been painted throughout,” he said.

There are currently three suites for guests – and each has a different theme, reminiscent of the couple’s travels: Parisian, Caribbean and Tuscan. From each room, there is a mountain view.

The premier, or “honeymoon” suite, is Tuscan-themed. On display are photographs of the couple’s trip to Italy – picturesque views of ancient buildings and the beautiful countryside.

In the room is a king-size Tuscan bed, covered with a Matelasse bedspread and down comforter; built-in cabinets with granite counter tops, for the Keurig, microwave and refrigerator. Above the cabinets is a 42-inch plasma TV.

The bathroom also boasts granite countertops with double sinks and a jacuzzi tub. There is also a fireplace and a private deck.

As for the other rooms, the Parisian suite has Travertine tile on the radiant-heat floors and walls of the walk-in shower; the shower floor is adorned with pebble tile. The bathroom of the Caribbean suite is similar, but with ceramic tile.

Like the Tuscan suite, the rooms have landscape photographs of the couple’s vacations, and each have an iPad for guests to use.

The inn has two dining areas, one is the Hill Top Café and the other is a formal dining area for a larger group. Both have “stunning” views, Robinson said.

There is also a quiet living room space with leather and wood furniture; a sun room and pub, also known as Finnigan’s Pub, along with a full mountain view atrium with a built-in pool and a whirlpool spa.

Enjoy the outdoors

Aside from iPads and TVs, guests can enjoy 52 acres of wildlife; they can walk, run or bike the eight to 10 miles of walking trails, Lemmon said. Guests can also bring their ATVs and snowmobiles to use.

“They can go anywhere on the grounds, if they wish,” Robinson said. “They can hike, come back, and if they’re sore, they can get in the hot tub.”

There is also a spring-fed pond below, where guests can use their fishing poles. The grounds are covered with quartz, tourmaline and other semi-precious stones that guests are free to mine. “It’s a gem-searcher’s dream,” Robinson said.

Plus, it’s located near the new Oxford Casino and Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel, Lemmon said.

They’ve already had interest from caterers doing boutique weddings – hence the outdoor kitchen. “We already have some bookings,” Lemmon said.

“We both have a business background,” he said, “and though she says she isn’t, Mary is a chef … the food she makes is amazing; she’s Italian … a tremendous chef and the love of my life.”

The couple will exchange vows on the inn’s front lawn on Oct. 6.

“We’re a destination … a healing place,” Lemmon said of the inn at 27 Pinnacle Road in the far eastern section of West Paris. “We are not just something you are going to drive by and find.”