I’m a sucker for a good place to stay. I often hear, “Why splurge on a hotel when you’re just sleeping there? You’re not going to spend much time in the hotel, right?” To me, though, when I escape on a vacation for rest and relaxation, where I stay is a big component of the overall experience. I want to lounge in comfort and take in the details of a room. I want to get to know the hotel bartender and get local recommendations. Also, I want to feel like I can just be without needing to spend every minute on the go.

Before we travel, I spend hours upon hours of researching the best hotels to stay in any given city. I keep in mind things like proximity to the neighborhoods we want to explore, the service the hotel offers, and the overall experience the hotel provides. We recently took a quite overnight trip to Portland, Maine, one of my favorite cities for a mini getaway to celebrate our engagement. We booked a room last-minute at The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection, located in a original structure of the Portland Press Herald. Typewriters and bold colors adorn the private spaces. Locals hang out at the hotel bar. The room made me feel like we were living in the lap of luxury, even if just for a night.

Staying somewhere special when visiting a new city, or Vermont, is worth doing research on the type of experience you’ll have and choosing accommodations that are more unique than a Hyatt Place or Holiday Inn. Do you want to stay a more intimate bed and breakfast or inn, where you get to know your host? Do you want privacy and a view in an independently owned hotel? Are you looking for somewhere to stay with vast amenities on site?

Where to Stay in Burlington, Vermont

When it comes to staying in Burlington, Vermont, there are a lot of different options for lodging. AirBnb is, of course, picking up in popularity. There’s even a low-cost hostel in Burlington, just a few blocks from the bike path and waterfront in Burlington. If I were staying in Burlington for an extended vacation or weekend getaway, these are the Burlington lodging options I would choose over-and-over again.

Burlington Lodging: Vermont Hotels

Hotel Vermont – Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont

Rustic and modern, Hotel Vermont is Burlington’s only independently owned hotel. It boasts a very Vermonty vibe with natural materials throughout the hotel, along with locally made products: Vermont Flannel robes, Lunaroma Aromatherapy bath products, and Johnson Woolen Mill blankets. Located just a few blocks off of Church Street and a block from the Burlington waterfront, it’s one of my top picks for exploring the city. You can park your car in the lot next door and do everything by foot to get to know the Queen City like a local.

Borrow one of Hotel’s Vermont free Budnitz bikes for two hours to cruise the bike path, or take a free yoga class on site. During the winter, borrow snow shoes and go out for a winter excursion on frozen Lake Champlain. For foodies and beer connoisseurs, don’t miss Juniper for dinner with Beer Concierge Matt Canning’s recommendations for the best local craft brews. For the location, luxury accommodations, and details, Hotel Vermont is one of the best Burlington lodging options for a memorable stay.

Burlington Lodging: Vermont Bed and Breakfasts and Inns

Willard Street Inn – Willard Street, Burlington, Vermont

The Willard Street Inn, located on Willard Street a mile from the hustle and bustle of downtown Burlington, is in a high-end residential area. The historic Victorian inn with 14 unique rooms, all with private baths, offers the “the grandeur of a country mansion” yet with modern amenities. The inn is family-owned and operated by four innkeepers, all part of the Davis Family.

Every morning, you’ll have the choice of three breakfast entrees made by the chef on site, along with their signature blend of coffee from 802 Coffee Roasters and Capitol Grounds Cafe. The Willard Street Inn purposefully doesn’t have a liquor license, so you can enjoy the Vermont craft beers and local wine you purchase during your stay on site. For a surprise-and-delight moment daily, warm chocolate chip cookies are delivered to your guest room before bed. For the location, history, and warm service provided by the Davis family, the Willard Street Inn is a special Burlington lodging choice.

Lang House on Main Street Bed and Breakfast

Located just up the hill from downtown Burlington on Main Street, The Lang House is a quintessential Vermont bed and breakfast. The 1881 Queen Anne Victorian home was converted into an inn in 2000 and offers 11 different guest room options.19th century charm and 21st century service combine to create a unique bed-and-breakfast experience just a quick stroll from the restaurants, boutiques, and attractions in downtown Burlington. Every staff member, from the innkeeper to the breakfast chef to the inn dogs on site, treat you like family with warm and welcoming service.

The Lang House boasts one of the best complimentary breakfasts I’ve ever had, served in their elegant dining room. There’s always a starter for breakfast, followed by your choice of three entrees – an egg dish (perhaps a panini or pop-over), a sweet dish, such as pancakes, waffles or crepes, and the Lang House’s very own nutty granola with yogurt and fruit. For a comfortable home-away-from home in close proximity to downtown, The Lang House on Main Street is a one of my favorite Burlington lodging choices.

Keep the conversation going. What’s your favorite Burlington lodging option for where to stay in Burlington, Vermont?