For our last week before school started for our kids, we decided to go on a relaxing family vacation to Vermont. We spent a few days at Smugglers’ Notch, then headed to the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. I assumed, based on the photos of the resort, that we’d love it, but I didn’t anticipate my kids hiding behind the curtains so we wouldn’t have to leave. I actually considered hiding with them – the two days we were there just wasn’t enough.
Stowe Mountain Lodge, which was built in 2008, was recently expanded to include the South Wing, where our suite was located. There are 312 rooms, in a variety of configurations including the two-bedroom suite that we had. The lodge offers several on-site restaurants, a heated outdoor pool, an exercise room, a spa, several retail shops, and numerous summer/winter activities.
The rooms at the Stowe Mountain Lodge are simply beautiful. Everything, from the appliances to the furnishings, feel very high-end. While we stayed in a two-bedroom suite, I also had the chance to see a standard hotel room as well as a four-bedroom penthouse. All of them are nice – the main difference is the size of the room. The basic hotel rooms do not have a kitchenette, but most of the suites do. Kitchens include a full refrigerator, coffee pot, gas stove, microwave, pots, pans, utensils, a dishwasher, and an oven. While we didn’t cook during our two-night stay, it was still nice to have everything there. The suites also include a washer and dryer – but bring your own detergent, as you’ll have to purchase some in the gift shop if you don’t. The bathrooms have huge tubs and nice showers – I just wish there were double sinks and/or larger counter tops.
The best part of the rooms, in my opinion, is the incredibly comfortable beds. Covered with Comphy brand sheets and duvets, these beds were easily the most comfortable I’ve experienced on vacation. We even chose to purchase the sheets in the spa – they were that amazing!
During our only full day, we choose to not even leave the property. We had breakfast in our room, lunch by the amazing heated outdoor pool, and dinner at the on-site Hourglass Lounge. My kids couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous pool – it was perfectly heated and just the right size and depth for their swimming ability. Lunch at the pool was great, and if we had more time on our check-out day, we would have had lunch then also.
I also had the opportunity to visit the gorgeous spa with my two children. While I got a reflexology treatment, they visited the kids’ chillax spa and had hand and foot treatments. They were a little nervous to attend, but when they were done, they were begging to return the next day. The spa is huge – with lots of treatment rooms and a cozy, warm feel to it. The women’s locker room offers a rain shower, soaking tub, steam room, and sauna which is complimentary to those getting a spa treatment (or guests can purchase a $25 pass). I’d definitely recommend getting a spa treatment – it’s one of the nicest spas I’ve visited.
We loved visiting the Stowe Mountain Lodge, and two days was definitely not enough. I’d also love to see what it is like in the winter – I can only imagine how gorgeous it must be with snow all around!
Disclosure: Our stay and activities (including the spa) were complimentary – all opinions are my own.
