What it is

A sleek and artful reprieve near Lake Champlain, with Nordic-feeling guest rooms and an outdoor restaurant that cooks up edible wizardry on an open fire.

What it isn't

A cliched version of Vermont. Hotel staffers have curated surprising regional exploits, from hiking 5 miles up Snake Mountain (and then stopping for a scoop at Lulu’s Ice Cream) to noshing your way through their list of the best food trucks and breweries on nearby Pine Street.

What we think

Vermont has a reputation for daily-dotted B&B’s, with good reason. And while Hotel Vermont *does* have a bed and breakfast option, it’s about as far from your grandmomma’s Vermont as they come. To begin with, rooms are clean-lined as a modern art museum, with custom blonde wood platform beds (complete with hidden trundles), stone tiled showers, and bountiful made-in-Vermont amenities, including the flannel bathrobes, glass soap dishes and Lunaroma organic toiletries. Perhaps homiest of all? The shared pantries stocked with Vermont-roasted coffee and Vermont Artisan Tea. Note: If you’re visiting in winter, it’s beyond worth booking the Whirlpool King Bedroom for its jetted tub and dancing gas fireplace.

You're here because

You’re obsessed with wood-fired dishes, and at the hotel’s outdoor restaurant, Brick, that includes truffled garlic knots and grilled duck sausage.

The Moment

On the terrace at Juniper, overlooking the frankly tranquil city, you order something to keep the mood as chillaxed as possible: a Bee’s Knees cocktail (Barr Hill Gin, Lemon and Honey) and a Vermont-made cheese plate where everything, even the crackers, are local. Honestly, you kind of want to move here.

Restaurants & Bars

Brick Restaurant and Bar - Outdoor bar serving pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, beers and wines

Juniper Restaurant and Bar - For breakfast, brunch, or dinner, Juniper is the place for locally sourced cuisine

Location

Three blocks from the Lake Champlain waterfront in Burlington, and, more importantly, a 30 minute drive from the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, where you can whip up new flavors with their Flavor Gurus (yes, that’s their official job title) in the Flavor Lab.