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.