In addition to the new places I discovered on my recent trip, I heartily recommend three other properties in Vermont.
By any measure, Twin Farms is one of the finest places to stay in the entire country. An intimate country retreat, it is set amid 300 acres of meadows and woodlands in an unspoiled valley. Hand-painted murals, rich maple and pine woodwork and American folk art adorn rustically elegant lounges, while the original barn, with its impressive raftered interior, houses the congenial library. Guests choose from 20 distinctive lodgings (including a self-contained four-suite enclave facing a pond) that feature king-size feather beds and sitting areas with fireplaces that open onto screened porches. Request one of the imaginatively decorated cottages: “Log Cabin,” “Treehouse” and “Woods” are especially appealing. I have always found the restaurant exceptional; other facilities include a spa, gym and Japanese-style soaking tubs. During the summer, you can pursue tennis, fishing and canoeing, and during the winter, skiing. Closed late March to May.
Truly a place unto itself, whose grounds give you a real feel of being sequestered in rural Vermont.
Nothing.
The art on display includes works by Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and Milton Avery.
The Pitcher Inn is a small, charming property that sits beside a rushing stream in Warren, a quaint village near Sugarbush that is one hour southeast of Burlington and a short drive from Waitsfield (where the place we recently stayed fell short of expectations). The 11 stylish accommodations, including a pair of two-bedroom suites, are decorated to reflect various aspects of Vermont, with most featuring antiques, woodburning fireplaces, Jacuzzi baths and steam showers. Of the accommodations, “Ski,” “Lodge,” “Mountain” and “Trout” are especially charming. Public areas include a comfortable library, a creekside lounge, the cozy Tracks tavern for classic pub fare and the first-rate restaurant 275 Main, which serves locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine backed by a well-stocked wine cellar. Activities include hiking, biking, trout fishing, golf and tennis. In winter, skiing, ice skating and sleigh rides provide the chief recreational opportunities.
The successful combination of the elegant dining room and casual downstairs tavern, both noteworthy dining options.
There are no grounds.
Directly across the street, The Warren Store is a wonderful place for browsing and finding Vermont-made products and clothing.
A landmark resort hotel, the Woodstock Inn stands on the village green of Woodstock, a town often cited as one of the prettiest in the United States. Much of this is due to the Rockefellers, who built the inn. The Rockefeller family also played a key role in preserving many of the town’s historic structures, and they were behind the move to bury all the utility lines, preserving the rural character of the town. The 142 spacious lodgings in the inn range from Woodstock Kings, with sitting areas and writing desks; to spacious Main Inn Suites, with marble baths; to the Executive Suite, with a living space, dining room and kitchenette. Adding to the appeal are four dining options, along with the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course, tennis, pools, gym and spa.
Pride of place in this pretty town.
The atmosphere can sometimes lack intimacy.
Artisans throughout Vermont were employed in recent room renovations.
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