The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa

Foodies, families, pet
lovers, business retreats, weddings, and relaxation seekers are all welcome at
this sprawling 18-acre resort dotted with grand neocolonial white and red brick
buildings. It all feels very New England, and that impression carries over
inside of the inviting hotel lobby with contemporary olive and tan velvet
couches and chairs set beside a stone fireplace. There are chunky reclaimed
wood tables and dark hardwood antique pieces arranged about green carpets and
dark wood laminate floors, creating a laid-back, yet stylish vibe. There are
several places throughout for guests to relax, including the cozy, if slightly
outdated lounge, with light oak furniture and a living room vibe, as well as
The Tavern, the excellent on-site gastro-pub, and Junction, a fine-dining
restaurant with quirky, homespun decor blended and reclaimed wood walls.

Though the resort feels
secluded and rural, it actually sits just off of several major local highways,
and downtown Burlington, Vermont is only 20 minutes away by car. The Links at
Lang Farm, the hotel’s 18-hole golf course, is adjacent to the property, while
the Essex Outlets are essentially across the road, just two minutes by car, or
10 minutes on foot. Stowe, Vermont, a charming New England village in the Green
Mountains that’s filled with quaint local shops and cafes is a 45-minute drive
from the resort, and Stowe Mountain Resort, one of the state’s premier ski
slopes, is 10 minutes beyond that. The closest airport is in Burlington, and
takes just under 20 minutes to reach by car.

Guest rooms have a warm country-inn atmosphere, with dark carpeted floors, soft cream
walls with light blue or barn red accents, crafty wall art, and furniture with
antique lines, like iron bed frames and dressers. There is an array of room configurations,
from Traditional Rooms to Two-Bedroom Suites, but all are spacious (starting at
33 square meters, or 350 square feet). Generous seating areas include
overstuffed love seats and sofas in Suites and Studios, and armchairs in
smaller rooms. King or queen beds are good, with duvets, high thread-count
sheets, and plush brown bed runners. Some details -- like the stained carpets we
saw in the Traditional Room, wear and tear on dressers, and a few sagging,
outdated couches and chairs -- could use an upgrade. All rooms feature
flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffee machines, MP3 dock alarm clocks,
air-conditioning, telephones, and desks, while several rooms also have
fireplaces and apartments feature full kitchens and dining areas. Bathrooms are
clean, with beige tiled floors, blue accents, single-basin sinks and small
vanities, eco-friendly toiletries, and bathtub/shower combos, while Spa Suites
have hot tubs and walk-in showers. Apartments are ideal for families, and most
feature sofa beds for additional sleeping space. Guests should keep in mind
that certain rooms on the property abut service areas and can be noisy in the
morning.

As the name implies, the
resort prioritizes two very important things: food and relaxation. Guests are
welcome to enroll in any of the cooking courses in the resort’s teaching
kitchens, which range from crepe classes to Indian cuisine. Fees vary from
class to class, and guests need to book in advance. There are also two on-site
restaurants. The Tavern is open every day, serving the hotel’s excellent
breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, in a casual, gastropub setting with a
menu that uses many items grown right at the resort. Junction, the laid-back
fine dining restaurant with an open kitchen, serves locally sourced, three- or
five-course menus that change nightly. Guests are also welcome to stroll the
gardens on site or visit the Bakeshop, selling delicious homemade pastries, as
well as the grab-and-go cafe.The hotel’s spa is a
soothing retreat decked in soft colors, natural stone, and wood laminate floors.
It features a gorgeous, light-filled 25-yard (23-meter) indoor lap pool, steam
rooms, saunas, an in-ground outdoor hot tub (open year-round), and an outdoor
pool (open seasonally). The spa offers a complete array of massage and beauty
treatments for men and women, as well as beauty salon services. The fitness
center is part of the spa as well, and has a good selection of cardio
equipment, free weights, and pulley machines, as well as yoga classes (for an
additional fee). There are also outdoor tennis and basketball courts, 18-hole golf,
bicycle rentals, and an outdoor adventure course including rock climbing.The resort has eight
meeting and events spaces on site that can accommodate up to 400 people with in-house
catering, though the rooms range in style from slightly outdated to the stylish
and modern Boardroom. Pets are also welcome here and the hotel even has a Doggy
Room Service Menu, with specially prepared meals like turkey meatloaf. There is
a 24-hour front desk and well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property, and the
hotel is family friendly. Babysitting services can be arrange with advanced
notice and laundry services are available. Self-parking is free.