9 Best Resorts in Vermont for Families & Couples

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Small though it may be, Vermont offers near-endless ways to have fun in the great outdoors, regardless of the season.

The winter months, of course, offer multiple spots to ski down some of the finest slopes on the East Coast. Fall in Vermont is quintessentially New England-esque, filled with foggy mountains covered in a splash of vibrantly-hued foliage.

Spring and summer are excellent times to hike those same mountains, or even go chasing the waterfalls hidden deep within the mountains’ nooks and crannies.

But while you’re exploring all that Vermont has to offer, where do you stay? Luckily, to meet the needs of the many travelers flocking to the Green Mountain State, many resorts have sprung up offering a range of experiences and amenities.

Here are the nine best resorts in Vermont, ranked according to whatever you might desire while traveling, from year-round activities to family-geared amenities or all-out luxury stays.

Related read: 10 Supremely Secluded Cabin Rentals in Vermont

1. Topnotch Resort

Why you should stay: Unlimited year-round activities near one of Vermont’s top ski areas.

• Location: Stowe
• Class: 4 star
• Rates from: $245/night

Topnotch Resort sits just a short drive away from downtown Stowe, giving you easy access to both the village’s charming main street with all its shopping and dining options, but also the skiing and hiking that surround Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.

The AAA Four Diamond resort has everything, though, so there’s no need to run into town to grab a bite or find your latest diversions (unless you absolutely want to).

Contemporary, upscale dining is available at The Roost, the resort’s on-site restaurant. The spa provides all your favorite, classic spa treatments. Resort activities range from a stop by the tennis academy to work on your backhand to a dip in one of the pools — one of which is open even in the winter!

There’s also an equestrian center and a mountain ops gear center on site. And, if you’re traveling with the family, you’ll find plenty for the kids to enjoy as well. This is one resort where you’ll never get bored.

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2. Tyler Place Family Resort

Why you should stay: Keep the kids entertained with all kinds of fun in and on the water.

• Location: Highgate Springs
• Class: 3.5 star
• Rates from: $115/night

Tyler Place Family Resort sits near the Canadian border, right off Lake Champlain and near the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

The location positions you perfectly for some outdoor adventure (especially in the summertime, when you can take advantage of all that water right on your doorstep), but there’s no need to worry about planning your own itinerary to enjoy it all.

Tyler Place is renowned for its all-inclusive, award-winning experiences that do all the hard work of planning for you — so all you have to do is wake up and have fun. There’s programming for every member of the family, right down to infants.

Your all-inclusive rate includes your dining, activities and entertainment, and, essentially, your stay is like a trip to a summer camp where everyone in the fam will have a great time.

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Related read: 6 Free Camping Spots in Vermont

3. Woodstock Inn & Resort

Why you should stay: This historic property feels like New England.

• Location: Woodstock
• Class: 4.5 star
• Rates from: $299/night

Woodstock Inn & Resort sits right on Woodstock’s main street, on the footprint of an 18th-century tavern. Today’s inn was originally built in the 1890s, though, and was purchased by the Rockefellers in the 1960s.

The Rockefellers brought the inn up to its current luxury status, with the property now hosting many a discerning traveler from around the world.

Guest rooms are elegant and sophisticated, and the entire resort caters to a high level of taste, whether you’re enjoying one of the handful of on-site dining options, a treatment at the large spa or one of the many outdoor activities.

From fly-fishing to skiing, tennis to falconry, golfing to museum visits, if the resort and inn doesn’t have it available on property, the concierge team is more than happy to arrange an activity for you off-site.

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4. Trapp Family Lodge

Why you should stay: You’ll feel like you’re in the Alps without crossing the big pond.

• Location: Stowe
• Class: 3.5 star
• Rates from: $240/night

You might know the Trapp Family from The Sound of Music, but did you know that the real Trapp family settled in Stowe decades ago and brought with them a taste of Austria, which they infused into their historic lodge and bier hall?

The Trapp Family Lodge just outside of Stowe is a little slice of Europe right in the heart of Vermont. The expansive property feels truly in its own little world, but you’re never far away from the ski slopes or downtown.

On the property, you’ll find a range of restaurants and watering holes, and lots of fun activities for every season, including disc golf, mountain biking, spa visits, tennis, hiking and more.

Don’t want to book a stay but still want to take advantage of all the property’s amenities? You can do so by purchasing an amenity day pass or stopping into one of the restaurants for a quick bite.

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Related read: Where to View the Best Fall Foliage in New England

5. Castle Hill Resort & Spa

Why you should stay: The intimate nature of this small resort is perfect for those wanting some quiet time.

• Location: Proctorsville
• Class: 3.5 star
• Rates from: $237/night

Many Vermont hotels and resorts are historic, but Castle Hill Resort & Spa is one of the best. The mansion only includes 10 guest rooms (don’t worry — there are other accommodations on the resort’s grounds, they’re just not as historic), but if you can snag one for your upcoming visit, you won’t regret it.

Built by a previous Vermont state senator, the English Cotswold-style mansion was the very first in the state to be built with electricity and an elevator. The mansion was finished in 1905, and the guest rooms still display much of the beautiful craftsmanship that went into the property at the turn of the century.

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6. Stratton Mountain

Why you should stay: Tons of room and winter fun options for groups of all-sizes.

• Location: Stratton Mountain
• Class: 4 Star
• Rates from: $144/night

There are lots of places to ski in Vermont, but if you want to stay at a resort truly built around ski culture, book a stay at Stratton Mountain.

Like many ski resorts, Stratton offers multiple lodging options — a whopping 26 in total, ranging from more traditional hotel rooms to condominium-style accommodations more suitable for groups or families.

The resort’s Stratton Village is just that, an on-property village with its own restaurants and bars, shops and boutiques. Everything’s focused on the ski culture here, though, so expect ski shops and ski apres experiences aplenty.

And, of course, when you’re ready for something to do, you can hit the slopes, though that’s certainly not your only option for fun. The resort also offers a full Nordic Center for snow biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and more, as well as indoor fun at the fitness center or pools.

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Related read: 12 Magical Glamping Destinations in New England

7. Twin Farms

Why you should stay: Secluded stay perfect for romantic getaways and traveler’s seeking peace and quiet.

• Location: Barnard
• Class: 5 star
• Rates from: $2,250/night

If your idea of a getaway to Vermont includes a tranquil setting and very few high-adrenaline activities or screaming kids on the ski slopes, you may want to opt for an escape to  Twin Farms.

This all-inclusive property (which originally belonged to Sinclair Lewis) has everything covered, so you can just show up and relax — your cottage or suite, all meals, cocktails and activities are included. Every aspect of the 300-acre property is geared toward leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated, whether you choose to enjoy a spa treatment, a yoga session, or hiking or skiing on the property.

Want to leave the property to explore the nearby antique shops? Use the resort’s house car.

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8. Jay Peak Resort

Why you should stay: Ski resort offering a plethora of year-round activities.

• Location: Jay
• Class: 3.5 star
• Call for availability

Skiing is the primary activity at Jay Peak, but if you’re not keen on hitting the slopes this season (or if someone in your party isn’t), Jay Peak is an excellent ski resort to choose for a range of activities that go beyond the snow.

All year-long, Jay Peak provides fun activities ranging from indoor climbing to splashing at the indoor waterpark, taking the summer tram up the mountain to visiting the spa. Indoor skating, shopping, a cinema and golf further round out the long list of things to do.

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Related read: 12 Best & Most Unique Airbnbs in Vermont

9. The Essex Resort & Spa

Why you should stay: Get your grub on — from on-site dining to gourmet cooking classes.

• Location: Essex
• Class: 4 star
• Rates from: $160/night

The Essex Resort & Spa offers all the normal things that you might expect at a high-end resort: on-site dining, a spa, pools, etcetera. However, The Essex sets itself apart by being THE culinary resort in Vermont. Foodies will want to look nowhere else for a stay in the state.

There are multiple dining options on-site, all featuring menu items made with local ingredients and ingredients sourced from the resort’s own organic garden. The Cook Academy offers a range of cooking and baking classes to guests.

You can even book a full gourmet getaway themed around the property’s culinary offerings. And, if you do want to explore beyond the resort, you’re just a short drive from Burlington, where you’ll find even more culinary opportunities, plus shopping, museums and more, in Vermont’s largest city.

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Related read: 10 Best Hikes in Vermont for Woodsy Explorations

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