Hotel Vermont

Guests know they’re definitely not in a typical chain hotel from the moment they enter the front door of the Hotel Vermont. This cozy property with stone walls, a wood-burning fireplace, nature photography, and natural wood furniture has the feel of a rustic North Woods ski lodge. The bright lobby invites guests to linger with a massive striped daybed in front of the fireplace, mod bench seating with throw pillows around the outer walls, and other clusters of armless gray chairs. This is a busy place where guests gather to enjoy a drink, plan their day, or join group events such as the hotel beer concierge’s local craft beer tours. The popular Juniper restaurant and bar beckons just above the lobby, with more natural wood features, a long, curved bar, and even longer craft beer list. Like the lobby, it offers lots of inviting nooks with comfortable sofas and tables with street views.

The Hotel Vermont is located in downtown Burlington, a nine-minute walk to the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center on Lake Champlain and an eight-minute walk to Battery Park overlooking the lake. The Lake Champlain Ferries on King St. that provides service across the lake to Port Kent, N.Y. is a 12-minute walk or three minutes by car. The numerous shops and restaurants at the Church Street Marketplace are a seven-minute walk, and other nearby restaurants are five minutes or less on foot. The University of Vermont is seven minutes away by car or 10 minutes by bus. The University Mall is 15 minutes by bus or 13 minutes by car, and Burlington International Airport is 17 minutes by car and approximately 35 minutes by bus. 

Similar to the hotel’s public spaces, rooms are distinctive in their use of quality natural wood furnishings. Light wood headboard span from floor to ceiling, with suspended lights above simple white bedding. Bed platforms, wall-mounted nightstands, desks, and corner dressers are the same tone of wood and offer sleek but rather minimalist decor against the plain white painted walls. Light and dark brown carpeting with a modern tree-branch pattern fill the sleeping area, with darker, quality hardwood floors in the hallway. Corner desks have black ergonomic chairs, and 40-inch flat-screen TVs have HDMI connections for charging phones and tablets. Some rooms are outfitted with brown upholstered sofa beds under large windows with white, pull-down shades. All rooms are generally spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms feel more upscale and polished than the bedroom areas, with natural stone tile and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads typically framed by clear glass doors. 

Some rooms have soaking tubs with rainfall showers, while other select rooms offer additional whirlpool tubs in the bedrooms. Natural wood vanities capped with white surfaces are simple yet tasteful. Sliding, natural wood doors separate the shower/tub areas from the toilet and the entire bathroom from the bedroom. Rooms come in several configurations including kings, two twins, and one queen/one double. One-bedroom, 700-square-foot suites have pull-out queen sleep sofas in separate parlor areas with second flat-screen TVs as well as small kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves, wet bars, and dishes. Corner kings offer the best lake views. Other rooms offer partial lake views or views of a parking garage and street. Top-floor rooms have enhanced amenities such as flannel robes, mini-fridges, nightly turndown service with Vermont-made treats, and Tivoli radios. All rooms offer 300 thread count sheets, locally made Lunaroma toiletries, and free Wi-Fi.

The popular Juniper restaurant offers breakfast (not included in room rates), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with its bar serving small plates in the afternoons. Room service is available. Live music fills the space several nights per week. Concierge services are offered including a hotel beer concierge who conducts Vermont craft beer tours that leave from the hotel lobby. Children’s activities and babysitting services can be arranged. The fitness center offers a full range of cardio and weight training machines with free weights. It also has a yoga studio and a regular schedule of yoga classes. Complimentary mats are offered, as are private lessons. The hotel’s certified massage therapist offers several massage treatments at an on-site massage room. There are 2,700 square feet of meeting space and two outdoor terraces with lake views. The business center has computer stations with Internet access and free faxing. Guests can print wirelessly from the hotel front desk for free. Same-day dry cleaning and self-serve laundry are available, and free Wi-Fi can be accessed throughout the hotel. Pets are welcome in select rooms with a surcharge. Each of the six floors has a communal pantry with free coffee, tea, water, and light snacks. This eco-friendly hotel is LEED certified. There is on-site self and valet parking, both for a fee. Bicycles are offered for free guest use during warm weather.