Green Mountain Inn

With not one, but three spots on the National Register of Historic Places (and a fun ghost story), the Green Mountain Inn embraces its history. The property has expanded to included several newer buildings, but the core looks much as it did in 1833: wide white balconies, black shutters, and red bricks come together under iconic gables and peaked roofs along Stowe’s quaint Main Street. Guest’s enter the Main Inn’s warm lobby and reception area, which has original wooden beams, colonial chairs, and small paintings of typical Vermont scenes on the walls. There’s plenty throughout the hotel for guests to explore, including an ornate library, a fire pit, and the bar at the on-site Whip Bar & Grill, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Guests here are mostly couples, though plenty of families pass through as well.

Right Stowe’s Main Street, most of the village’s charms are within walking distance and the mighty Stowe Mountain Resort, with 116 ski trails, is only 15 minutes up the road by car. Popular Harrison’s Restaurant is just across the street from the hotel and the innovative Plate Restaurant is just two minutes away on foot. The center of the village is filled with quaint boutiques and cafes, while The Cabot Creamery and the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory are both located in Waterbury, a 10- and 15-minute drive respectively. Burlington, Vermont, which has the closest major airport as well as lots of fun and trendy sights with an artsy, local vibe, is 45 minutes away by car. 

The intimate, New England inn vibe aside, this hotel offers a surprising assortment of room sizes and configurations, from Classic Rooms to Suites and Townhouses. Decor doesn’t vary much across Classic, Deluxe, and Luxury Rooms or Suites, with the exception of the walls, which come in deep red or off-white. Otherwise, these rooms all have classic decor; a few touches such as red wall-to-wall carpeting, bed skirts, and patterned window valences might feel dated or stuffy to some. These rooms also have framed black-and-white sketches of local scenes and chestnut furniture with antique silhouettes that’s all in great condition. There are thoughtful details throughout, like antique dial-face clocks and small selections of books in many rooms, while some Deluxe and Luxury Rooms have gas fireplaces. Suites are a bit more elegant, with higher-quality furniture, woven carpets, hardwood floors, and separate seating areas with comfortable plush couches and antique lamps.

Apartments and Townhouses are excellent choices for families and groups, and all feature stylish and modern fullly tiled or wood-floored kitchens with stainless steel appliances and attractive country home cabinetry. Plenty of attention has been paid to decor in these units, with decorative antique plates, stylish and comfortable seating and living areas, and gorgeous damask wallpaper used as a tasteful accent throughout.

Beds are comfortable across the board, with lovely duvets, pillow choices, and ruffled bed-skirts in cream or blue, while some Deluxe and Luxury Rooms feature four-poster bedframes. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, safes, Keurig coffee makers, and air conditioners, and most rooms have mini-fridges. Bathrooms have attractive rustic tile floors and granite vanities with bathtub/shower combos (or separate walk-in showers and bathtubs or hot tubs in higher category bookings). Bathrooms are also stocked with high-end Gilchrist & Soames products. While most of the rooms are well soundproofed, others do experience a bit of noise from neighboring rooms, and not all rooms are elevator accessible.

Though this hotel calls itself an inn, there are a host of features that put it in a category with much larger properties. The outdoor heated pool is a big hit with guests year-round. It also features a smaller wading pool and there is an indoor hot tub with a sauna as well. The simple, carpeted fitness center has a few different cardio machines as well as a small selection of free weights and cable pulley machines, and the inn also offers massage services on-site.

As mentioned above, there are lots of places to hang out throughout the hotel, including a bright and homey game room with a selection of arcade games, air hockey, and billiards, that’s perfect for guests with kids (or kids who never grew up). For a more tranquil escape, the hotel’s ornate library and sitting room, with gorgeous antique wallpaper, comfortable couches and chairs, a chess set, grandfather clock and fireplace is an excellent choice, as is the outdoor fire pit.

The hotel has four spaces available for events and meetings of various sizes, including weddings, and can assist with planning and catering. Parking is free as is Wi-Fi throughout the property. Additionally, children under 17 stay free, but the hotel does not allow pets. For guests who are interested, there is a ghost named Boots Berry at the hotel, and sometimes his tap dancing can be heard during snowstorms (or so the legend goes).

There are two on-site restaurants: The Whip Bar & Grill and The Main Street Dining Room. The latter serves the hotel’s buffet breakfast with menu options and hot and cold offerings, though it’s only included with Bed-and-Breakfast bookings. A free afternoon tea with cookies is also served here. The Whip, which draws guests from all over town, has an upscale gastropub atmosphere and the menu offers innovative twists on classic New England dishes with an emphasis on local produce. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunches. Guests should keep in mind that there is no room service offered.