I’ve always loved hotels that have a sense of place. I don’t need another generic hotel room with the same furniture, artwork and amenities I could find just about anywhere in the country. If I’m traveling somewhere, I want my accommodations to reflect the destination.
That’s one of the reasons I love Hotel Vermont Local favorite: Juniper Bar & Restaurant in downtown Burlington.
Located just a few blocks from Lake Champlain, Hotel Vermont is an independently owned boutique and green hotel that celebrates Vermont through its design, food, local partnerships and approach to hospitality. It’s comfortable without feeling overly fancy, and there’s a refreshing emphasis on getting outside and experiencing Burlington.
And while I’ve certainly enjoyed the hotel itself, one of my favorite reasons to visit is Juniper, its restaurant and bar. Give me a drink outside on the terrace, a little sunshine and a peekaboo view of Lake Champlain, and I’m perfectly content.
What Makes Hotel Vermont Different?
Opened in 2013, Hotel Vermont has 125 guest rooms and a design that combines natural materials with modern furnishings.
You’ll find wood, stone, locally inspired artwork and thoughtful details throughout the property. The lobby feels more like a contemporary Vermont living room than a traditional hotel entrance, with comfortable seating, a fireplace and plenty of space to gather.
There’s a deliberate connection to the state throughout the hotel, including Vermont-made products and partnerships with local businesses like Vermont Flannel Local favorite: Vermont Flannel robes and blankets and Lunaroma soaps and shampoos.
What I appreciate is that the hotel isn’t trying to manufacture a stereotypical Vermont experience. You won’t find an excessive amount of plaid or rustic decorations attempting to convince you that you’re in the Green Mountains. The design is modern, understated and distinctly Vermont at the same time.
One of the Best Hotel Locations in Downtown Burlington
Location is a major selling point for Hotel Vermont.
Situated at 41 Cherry Street, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the Burlington waterfront, Church Street Marketplace Local favorite: Church Street Marketplace, restaurants, shops and the Burlington Bike Path.
I love staying somewhere that allows me to leave the car parked for most of the visit, and Burlington is a particularly good city for exploring on foot.
Walk to the Burlington Waterfront
From Hotel Vermont, it’s just a short walk downhill to Waterfront Park and Lake Champlain. The waterfront is one of my favorite places in Burlington, particularly during warmer months when sailboats fill the harbor and people are walking, cycling and enjoying the lake.
You can follow the Burlington Bike Path north along the shoreline, find a bench overlooking the Adirondacks or spend some time exploring the nearby parks.
Sunset is especially beautiful here. On a clear evening, watching the sun disappear behind the Adirondack Mountains is hard to beat.
Explore Church Street Marketplace
Head in the opposite direction and you’ll reach Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s pedestrian shopping district.
It’s filled with independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops and places to stop for a drink. Hotel Vermont’s location makes it easy to explore Burlington without spending much time in your car.
The Rooms at Hotel Vermont
Hotel Vermont offers several room configurations, including king rooms, rooms with multiple beds and suites.
The rooms continue the hotel’s modern Vermont design, incorporating natural materials, comfortable furnishings and locally produced amenities.
Some rooms feature soaking tubs, while others have walk-in showers. There are also rooms with views toward Lake Champlain, although I’d recommend confirming the view when booking rather than assuming every room overlooks the water.
I also love the communal pantry on each guest floor, where visitors can access coffee, tea and water. It’s a practical alternative to the disposable coffee pods and single-use bottles found in many hotels.
The hotel also offers a bedtime menu with additional comforts available to guests, including milk and cookies and locally inspired amenities.
Juniper: One of My Favorite Places for Drinks in Burlington
I love the bar at Juniper, Hotel Vermont’s restaurant and gathering space.
It’s one of my favorite places in Burlington to meet someone for a drink, particularly when I’m looking for somewhere comfortable and a little more relaxed than a busy downtown bar.
Inside, there’s a fireplace, warm lighting and a lively atmosphere. The bar features Vermont spirits, craft beer, wine and seasonal cocktails, with an emphasis on local producers.
The food is good too for a casual meal. Juniper focuses on Vermont ingredients and seasonal dishes, and I particularly appreciate that I can stop in for drinks and something to eat without committing to an elaborate dinner.
Drinks on the Terrace With a Peekaboo Lake View
The outdoor terrace might be my favorite part of Hotel Vermont.
I love sitting outside with a drink, looking toward Lake Champlain through the surrounding buildings. It’s not an unobstructed panoramic lake view, but that little glimpse of the water, combined with the atmosphere of the terrace, makes it one of my favorite settings in Burlington.
You don’t need to be staying at the hotel to enjoy Juniper, either. It’s just as much a destination for locals as it is for overnight guests.
Hotel Vermont Is Designed Around an Active Vermont Lifestyle
One of the things that separates Hotel Vermont from many traditional hotels is its emphasis on experiencing the destination.
The hotel offers guests opportunities to borrow outdoor equipment, including bicycles during warmer months and snowshoes in winter.
I love this approach to hospitality. Rather than simply providing a place to sleep, Hotel Vermont encourages visitors to get outside and experience the recreational opportunities that make Vermont special.
Borrow a Bicycle and Explore Burlington
Hotel Vermont has offered complimentary custom-made Budnitz bicycles for guests to borrow. Burlington is an excellent city for cycling, especially along the waterfront and the Burlington Bike Path.
You can ride north toward North Beach and continue along the Island Line Trail, enjoying views of Lake Champlain along the way.
The hotel’s bicycles are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with borrowing periods generally limited to two hours so other guests can enjoy them.
If you’re planning a longer ride, local rental businesses offer additional options.
Snowshoeing and Winter Adventures
During winter, Hotel Vermont has also offered snowshoes for guests to borrow.
It’s a fun addition, particularly for visitors who want to experience Vermont’s winter landscape without skiing.
Availability and equipment offerings can change seasonally, so I’d recommend checking with the hotel before planning an outing.
The property also has a fitness center and yoga space for guests who want to stay active indoors.
Hotel Vermont’s Commitment to Sustainability
Another reason Hotel Vermont stands out is its commitment to environmentally responsible hospitality.
The property is LEED-certified and incorporates sustainability into both its building design and daily operations.
Hotel Vermont has implemented initiatives including energy-saving guest room systems, refillable locally produced bath products, reusable drinking containers and communal coffee stations that help reduce disposable packaging.
Housekeeping services are also structured to conserve water and energy, with mid-stay room tidying available upon request.
The hotel has partnered with the University of Vermont’s Sustainable Innovation MBA program to evaluate its environmental practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
Juniper participates in these efforts, too, emphasizing local sourcing, responsible agricultural practices and food-waste reduction.
I appreciate seeing a hotel take these steps rather than simply encouraging guests to reuse their towels and calling itself green.
Sustainability is an ongoing process, of course, but it’s clearly part of Hotel Vermont’s identity.
What to Know Before Staying at Hotel Vermont
- Location
- 41 Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont.
- Hotel typle
- Independently owned, LEED-certified boutique hotel.
- Rooms
- 125 guest rooms and suites.
- Check-in
- 3 p.m.
- Check-out
- Noon.
- Parking
- Paid self-parking and valet parking are available.
- Electric vehicles
- EV charging is available on the property, with additional charging in the adjacent city garage.
- Pets
- A limited number of dog-friendly rooms are available, with an additional fee. Call the hotel directly to reserve one.
- Dining
- Juniper Bar & Restaurant is located inside the hotel, with additional downtown restaurants within walking distance.
- Outdoor activities
- Complimentary bicycles and seasonal snowshoe borrowing, subject to availability.
- Website
- hotelvt.com.
Hotel Vermont is a boutique property in a desirable downtown location, so I’d expect rates to reflect that, particularly during foliage season, summer weekends and major Burlington events.
Is Hotel Vermont Worth Staying At?
For visitors who want to experience downtown Burlington, Hotel Vermont is an excellent choice. The location is convenient, the design reflects the state without feeling overly themed, and the emphasis on local businesses and outdoor experiences adds something beyond a typical hotel stay.
And even if you’re not spending the night, I always recommend stopping by Juniper. I’ve spent plenty of enjoyable afternoons and evenings there, and that terrace with its little glimpse of Lake Champlain continues to be one of my favorite places for a drink in Burlington.
Have you stayed at Hotel Vermont or stopped by Juniper for a drink?
The places in this guide, on the map
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Directions to Juniper Bar & Restaurant (opens in a new tab)
Bar or pub · Burlington, VT
Head downstairs at Hotel Vermont for food and drinks made with Vermont ingredients.
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Directions to Vermont Flannel (opens in a new tab)
Shop or general store · Ferrisburgh, VT
Vermont Flannel's products make stellar gifts. Check out their storefronts in Ferrisburgh, Burlington, Cambridge and Manchester. Highly recommend a blanket and flannel…
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Directions to Church Street Marketplace (opens in a new tab)
Shop or general store · Burlington, VT
Get downtown and go exploring! Try to visit a new Burlington business every trip.
Talk with locals
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