Is This Burlington’s Best Hotel Room? Inside The Harborvale

I think I found Burlington, Vermont’s best hotel room. And while the beautiful bathroom and separate living space certainly help its case, the private ninth-floor terrace is what sold me…

Meet the Artist Studio at The Harborvale, overlooking Lake Champlain and downtown Burlington with views stretching toward the Adirondacks. There are rocking chairs for your morning coffee and lounge seating for settling in at sunset. Watching boats move across the lake could easily become the afternoon’s entire agenda.

For a hotel in the middle of Burlington, having that much private outdoor space feels like a little luxury all its own. You can head out to explore the waterfront and walk to dinner, then come back to a view you don’t have to share with a rooftop bar full of people.

If you’re planning a Burlington getaway, or live in Vermont and need a reason to book a staycation, this room deserves a look.

The Harborvale Gives a Familiar Burlington Hotel a New Beginning

If the name The Harborvale doesn’t ring a bell, you may know the building by its former name: the Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor.

The downtown hotel underwent a complete $19 million transformation and reopened in 2026 as The Harborvale, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The renovation reimagined the property from top to bottom, with new interiors inspired by its setting near Lake Champlain. The project comes from Westport Hospitality, the Burlington-based team also behind Hotel Vermont.

I love seeing a hotel lean into the place you’ve come to visit. Burlington’s relationship with the lake is a huge part of its appeal, and a stay here should feel connected to that.

The Harborvale’s lakeside-inspired design makes sense for this corner of the city. You’re close enough to the waterfront to make a walk along the lake part of your morning, while still being within easy reach of downtown restaurants and shops.

But for me, the most convincing expression of that lake connection is upstairs in the Artist Studio.

Inside the Artist Studio at The Harborvale

The Artist Studio is a 550-square-foot suite with a separate bedroom and living space, a kitchenette and a private outdoor terrace.

That separation matters when you’re booking a room you intend to spend time in. You can settle onto the sofa with a coffee without sitting on the bed, or enjoy a quiet morning while someone else sleeps a little longer. It gives the stay more breathing room.

The kitchenette is handy for keeping drinks cold or bringing back something to enjoy later. Think mini fridge, countertop and sink rather than a full kitchen for cooking dinner. There’s also a Nespresso machine, which makes taking your first cup of coffee outside particularly easy.

The suite feels especially suited to a getaway where the room is a focus for your travel. If you’re leaving at dawn and returning only to sleep, you’ll miss a lot of what makes this one appealing.

A Private Terrace Above Lake Champlain

Let’s talk about the reason I’d have trouble leaving… The Artist Studio’s terrace sits on the ninth floor, with views over Burlington and Lake Champlain toward the Adirondacks. Rocking chairs and lounge seating make it a space to settle into, with enough room to enjoy being outside instead of simply stepping out for a photo.

I could spend hours watching the boats on the lake. There’s always something to follow, even when you’re doing very little yourself.

Morning coffee would be an easy routine to establish here. Later, I’d plan to be back before sunset, with enough time to get comfortable and watch the light change over the water.

That would influence my dinner reservation, too. When the terrace is such a big part of the room’s appeal, I wouldn’t book a table across town at the exact moment I wanted to be sitting outside.

Of course, this is Vermont. How much time you spend on a ninth-floor terrace will depend on the weather and season. Bring a layer, even when the afternoon feels warm down at street level.

A Bathroom That Deserves Some Attention, Too

The terrace may get the first reaction, but the bathroom makes a strong case for staying in.

The suite has a soaking tub and a separate shower, giving you the option of a proper bath after spending the day walking around Burlington. I’m much more likely to make time for one when I’m away from home and don’t have a running list of things I should be doing instead.

The hotel also uses bath products developed with Lunaroma, a Burlington-based aromatic apothecary, and provides robes. It’s a welcome local detail in a space that could otherwise rely on the same products you’d find anywhere.

Between the tub and the outdoor seating, I’d make sure this stay included some deliberately unscheduled time.

Walk to Burlington’s Waterfront and Church Street

The Harborvale is at 25 Cherry Street, putting you a short walk from the Burlington waterfront and Church Street Marketplace.

That location makes it easy to explore without turning every outing into a parking decision. Head toward the lake for a walk, then work your way back downtown for lunch and some browsing.

For a first Burlington visit, being close to both the waterfront and Church Street is convenient. For a Vermont staycation, it means you can enjoy familiar places at a different pace, without needing to drive home afterward.

My ideal plan would be fairly loose: arrive with time to enjoy the suite, go out for dinner around sunset plans, and leave the next morning open for a waterfront walk.

I’d consider two nights if the schedule and budget allowed. A full day without checking in or packing up would give you more time to enjoy the room you came for.

What to Know Before Booking the Artist Studio

• Location: The Harborvale, 25 Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont.
• Room to request: Artist Studio, also described on the hotel’s website as “The Studio.” Confirm the specific suite and private terrace when reserving.
• Rates: Check your dates directly; pricing and availability vary.
• Arrival and departure: Check-in is at 4 p.m., with checkout at 11 a.m.
• Parking: The hotel currently lists self-parking through the front desk at $18 per day and valet at $26 per day.
• Bringing children: The suite lists a maximum occupancy of four. Confirm sleeping arrangements for your group.
• Bringing a dog: Designated dog-friendly rooms are limited. Confirm this suite’s eligibility and the current fee directly, as the hotel and Marriott websites list different fee terms.
• Accessibility: Ask about this specific suite’s bathroom layout and terrace access before booking if those details affect your stay.

You can explore the room and check availability through The Harborvale’s Studio page.

There are plenty of reasons to spend a weekend in Burlington. In this case, I’d be booking with a particular room in mind, and keeping my sunset plans very close to that terrace.