Topnotch Resort

In an area of Vermont crammed with frilly country inns and outdated mega-resorts, Topnotch is a standout for its chic and contemporary aesthetic, from the modernist wood-and-stone exterior to the warm, yet chic, country-meets-city spaces inside. The lobby has a few low tan chairs arranged adjacent to a set of windows, and there are several other places for guests to linger throughout. The resort’s lounge is a cozy, wood-lined space with a fireplace, comfortable leather and velvet chairs and sofas, bright decorative pillows, and a Scandinavian-style coffee table. The hotel’s drinking and dining establishments are equally stylish, blending woodsy comforts with retro furniture and streamlined design. The resort draws mostly couples and families, though business travelers also pass through.

Nestled amid 120 acres of forests and mountains, the resort is midway between the shops, cafes, and restaurants of charming little Stowe, Vermont, and the slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort, with both destinations between five and 10 minutes away by car depending on traffic. This part of the Green Mountains is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, and the demanding hikes that ascend Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, are only 10 minutes up the road by car. The Nordic Barn, an outdoor clothing and goods store, is just across the road, a two-minute walk from the resort, and the Stowe Country Club is a five-minute drive towards town. Waterbury, Vermont, home to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory as well as the Cabot Creamery, both popular families, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and the closest airport is in Burlington, Vermont, about 50 minutes away by car.

The hotel’s modern aesthetic carries through to its guest rooms, which are chic, simple, and warm at the same time. Decor is the same across most room categories, and white walls are hung with abstract leaf prints and trendy black-and white vintage images while tan plaid carpets run throughout. Dark walnut furniture has clean, Scandinavian lines and details like potted plants, wood-slat shutters, and funky table lamps all contribute to the appeal. The flannel-padded headboards are a nice touch over the excellent beds, which are made up with duvets, red blankets, and brown-and-red throw pillows. All rooms feature 42-inch flat-screen TVs, desks, safes, Keurig coffeemakers, irons, iPod dock alarm clocks, and individually controlled air-conditioning as well as one comfortable white chair, while Executive Rooms have mini-fridges as well as walk-in closets. Bathrooms are clean, if less impeccably contemporary than the main guest rooms, with light gray tiled walls and floors, June Jacobs bath products (though pump dispensers seemed a bit clumsy), large granite vanities, and antique-style light fixtures on large mirrors. The resort also offers several suites, such as the Moss Glen Suite, which has a separate bedroom, living room with fireplace, and a kitchenette with an electric range, dishwasher, microwave, and toaster. Additionally, there are multi-room homes available for small groups and families. While the resort is isolated and relatively quiet, noise from the hallways and neighboring guests can be an issue in some rooms.

Like many of the resorts in the area, Topnotch takes wellness seriously and offers an extensive fitness center with a huge selection of cardio and weight equipment as well as an attractive studio with tons of windows, hardwood floors, exposed ceiling beams, and punching bags. The hotel’s spa is attractive and modern, with 30 treatments rooms, steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, and a full-service beauty salon; a selection of massages and treatments are on offer. The spa also sells a line of high-end products, including the June Jacobs line used in hotel guest rooms. There are several pools, one indoor, one outdoor and open to everyone, and another outdoor that's for adults only, open year-round, and surrounded by stone and wood terraces.The hotel also offers and array of activities for adults and kids depending on the time of year, some of which are offered through partnerships with local businesses. Brewery Tours can be booked during the week, there is guided horseback riding on-site, and there are drawing classes, exercise groups, and nature walks available for kids. There is also a game room, and babysitting services can be arranged. The resort prides itself on its tennis program and there are six seasonal outdoor courts and four year-round indoor courts. Private and group lessons as well as clinics taught by USPTA-certified instructors are available. The tennis program also runs a Junior Tennis Academy for kids and teens as well as a pro shop.There are seven meeting and events spaces throughout the property, and the hotel can assist in every level of wedding planning and preparation. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and a small computer station is available for guest use in the lounge. The hotel is affiliated with the Nordic Barn, across the road, which sells a variety of outdoor gear and gifts. Free cookies, tea, and cider are also offered in the The Notch every afternoon. Pet-friendly rooms are available with advanced notice and there is free on-site valet parking. For guests needing transport to Stowe Mountain Resort and into the center of town, the hotel offers a free shuttle, and airport transportation can be arranged with advanced notice.

The resort has two excellent on-site restaurants: The Roost and Flannel. The Roost is a more informal setting, featuring live DJs on the weekends and a menu that features creative, yet simple, twists on comfort foods, with lots of light bites and a great selection of meats and cheeses. Flannel is also a casual restaurant, serving more formal meals from breakfast through dinner, with an excellent New American take on classic dishes including fish, pastas, and steaks. The resort participates in the Vermont Fresh Network, assuring that as many locally sourced ingredients are used in the restaurants and bars as possible. Both venues are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike and draw a crowd for their excellent cuisine.