Is the day to day tiring you out? Do you need some excitement so you can go to work Monday refreshed?
Most people will feel that pull to just get away from their house and responsibilities once in a while, but often can't justify taking time off work or a long car ride to take a vacation. Fortunately, Vermont has enough hotels, lodges and cabins to ensure you can find the right stay for a weekend away.
Whether you’re searching for an exciting adventure in the great outdoors, a romantic getaway in the mountains, or a restful break from the city, you’re sure to find all you’re looking for and more among the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Here are three different spots to stay across the state, all with their own aesthetic, services and unique grounds and experiences to be had to help kick off your research into the perfect "staycation" for your needs.
A trip to Trapp Family Lodge
Most Vermonters know about the Trapp Family Lodge , the real-life estate of the iconic Trapp Family Singers who were immortalized in "The Sound of Music," but getting to stay at the lodge is an experience in its own right. The lodge sits on 2,600 acres right under Mt. Mansfield and is only a short drive away from the shops and restaurants of historic Stowe.
The Austrian-inspired brown lodge has all the on-site amenities you could need for a weekend away. There is a brewery and well-stocked wine cellar, several restaurants, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and tennis courts. There are 96 rooms and luxury suites, and a sprinkling of roomy guest houses and chalets.
More: 'The Sound of Music' arrives at Trapp Family Lodge as family learns to embrace the musical
With its proximity to the Green Mountains, the year-round destination is a great place to stay for outdoor adventurers. Spring, summer and fall are the time for horse-drawn carriage rides, hiking, biking, tennis, disc golf and rock climbing, all on the grounds or close nearby. The lodge also has a spa to relax at, and a Biergarten where they serve their own Trapp brews.
In the winter, skiing and snowboarding is king, and there's many mountains nearby to shred down. The grounds also have cross-country and snowshoe trails for those who prefer to stay more level.
A weekend at The Weston
This list had to include The Weston , Vermont's hottest new hotel. It placed 22 on the list of travel magazine Conde Nast's 50 best hotels in the world on Tuesday as part of its annual 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards , and number one in New England.
The hotel recently opened in December 2023. The southern Vermont spot is described as country home-style, and features nine one-of-a-kind rooms and suites, a French restaurant with a curated wine program, spa, fitness center and bocce courts.
Vermont hotels: 'Outstanding hotels' in the US: 3 Vermont hotels earn coveted Michelin Key awards
The hotel’s rooms and suites are influenced by the West Indies and Far East, with “a harmonious blend of fabrics, furnishings, original art, and 18th-century antiques.” Each suite features a private deck.
The Weston is owned by the Sharp Family, which is also behind the Carlyle and Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City and the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. Much of the furnishings and furniture come from their personal collection.
See what's happening in Woodstock
The Woodstock Inn and Resort is perfect if you want to be in walking distance of restaurants, shops and everything Woodstock. The three-story white building with a picket fence is the perfect resting point if you want a lazy weekend to really unwind.
This resort features 142 rooms and suites, an outdoor and indoor pool, four distinct restaurants, an onsite spa and a fitness center. Many restaurants are a short walk away.
The days seem to move slower in Woodstock. Grab a maple latte and sit downtown to watch people pass. See the historic houses that sprawl the town streets on a morning walk. Make sure to swing by the boutiques for some shopping, especially if it's near the holidays.
In Vermont fashion, there are always a few mountains nearby for hiking or skiing, so don't fret if you think the Woodstock Inn is too mellow.
Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: These Vermont hotels can provide the perfect staycation, from skiing to maple lattes
Local News
