Although I travel often, I rarely stay in hotels. In fact, the only time I stay in “hotels” is on business travel when the possibility of a late arrival and anonymity are attractive to me. A recent stay at Hotel Vermont, one of the newest lodging options downtown and Burlington’s first independent hotel, convinced me that I need to start exploring more “boutique” hotels not only for business travel but also for our personal getaways. With its luxurious decor, engaged and professional service, eco-conscious amenities and can’t-possibly-beat-it location between the Church Street Marketplace and the Lake Champlain Waterfront, Hotel Vermont has quickly become a destination for locals and non-locals alike. (Being located right next door to the ever-popular Hen of the Wood Burlington certainly doesn’t hurt…)

Part of the reason I tend to opt for inns and bed and breakfasts over hotels is because I want to stay somewhere with personality in addition to getting a good night’s sleep. It was a surprise-and-delight moment when I finally experienced Hotel Vermont for myself. It has a ton of personality and is much more than just a place to rest your head. With a farm-to-table restaurant, Juniper, on the main level, a full-service yoga studio, in-house massage therapy, an activities coordinator, a beer concierge(!) and many events, such as trivia nights, farmers’ dinners, Jazz and beer tours, Hotel Vermont is a destination in and of itself. Hotel Vermont’s blog will give you a true sense of what the hotel is all about: serving the community and acting as a home base for exploring all that Burlington and Vermont at large have to offer.

Hotel Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Hotel Vermont’s website best describes what’s in store for you when staying at Hotel Vermont, what I would describe as balance and the best of both worlds:

Local and global, natural and sophisticated, hand wrought and high tech. We give you space to yourself and room to gather. And we’re here to help you explore like a local, relax like it’s your job and soak in every detail.

The decor in the 125-room, LEED-certified hotel is rustic, yet modern. The accommodations are simple, comfortable and relaxation-inducing. I would describe the hotel as sophisticated with ample gathering spaces for business meetings, yet also welcoming without a hint of pretension in the airy, open spaces the hotel offers. With reclaimed wood accents, local stone flooring and artwork, and ample greenery around the common spaces, Hotel Vermont is an eco-friendly local business that you need to experience for yourself to see how unique it is.

We stayed on the sixth floor in a corner king with views of Cherry Street and Lake Champlain. Although the view of the lake was blurred by one dirty window (on the outside!), the room itself was spotless and a good size for a hotel downtown. The space within the room was well-utilized, with the WC hidden behind a closet armoire and a spacious shower and sink across the room next to the bed. On both nighstands were whimsical books about Vermont, along with handmade mugs, an ice bucket that resembles a sap bucket, Vermont Flannel Company robes, a wool blanket from Johnson Woolen Mills and Lunaroma bath products in the room to keep with the buy local, eat local, stay local vibe of the hotel.

It’s not surprising that Hotel Vermont was named one of the Top 25 Hotels in the US 2014 by Condé Nast (quite an achievement for a hotel that’s only been open since May 2013). I personally can’t wait to go back and spend another night getting to know Hotel Vermont, preferably over a few cocktails and a cheese platter at Juniper, while playing tourist in our own backyard. Vermont staycation anyone?

Tips for Visiting Hotel Vermont Like a Local

• Keep more of your dollars local and book your room directly on Hotel Vermont’s website. You’ll get the same rate and better service than attempting to book through a third-party.
• Once you’re in your room, be sure to lock the door, not for safety but rather to engage the heating and cooling system. This was really the only sub-par element of our stay. Although I applaud the LEED-certification and all efforts to be green, the room took awhile to get warmed up even after locking the door and engaging the climate control.
• On each floor just off the elevator there’s a communal help-yourself pantry with carbonated and still water on demand, local tea and coffee and snacks throughout the day (apples and then celery and fixing for peanut butter and jelly later on in the day), along with bags of ice to bring to your room as needed.
• If you’re interested in exploring the area and burning some calories before drinks and dinner, Hotel Vermont has bicycles you can borrow, as well as made-in-Vermont snowshoes in the lobby for the snowy months.
• One of Hotel Vermont’s coolest offerings is their bedtime menu, guaranteed to make you sleep better, which includes aromatherapy, a Vermont Teddy Bear and Vermont Flannel Company pajamas.
• Have pre-dinner drinks at Hotel Vermont, whether inside at the copper bar during the winter, or outside overlooking the firepit on the patio with views of Lake Champlain during the warmer months. Mike and Solomon are fantastic bartenders. Ask them about the local beers, spirits and wines served at Juniper. You just might find a new favorite (ahem, Barr Hill Tom Cat Barrel-Aged gin for me! The perfect winter cocktail.)
• For one of the best dinners in Vermont, walk next door to Hen of the Wood. There’s also Bleu Northeast Seafood, a seafood restaurant in the hotel, Bluebird Tavern, A Single Pebble and American Flatbread within a 3-5-minute walk. Church Street and all of its nightlife and restaurants is within a 5-10-minute walk.
• There’s a parking garage conveniently located right next to the hotel with reasonable rates ($10 a day or $15 for valet). There are also two spots for electric cars.
• Hotel Vermont has pet-friendly rooms if you’re travelling with your furry friends for an additional pet fee.
• Be sure to keep a close eye on Hotel Vermont’s event calendar to see what’s happening in the area during your stay.

Hotel Vermont
41 Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401
855.650.0080

*Disclaimer: We received a complimentary night’s stay at Hotel Vermont in order to review the inn.

Have you stayed at Hotel Vermont? What was your favorite part of your stay? Comment below.