Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa
My family are my favorite people to travel with, but fall sports and theater take up a lot of their time, so sometimes I get to travel solo. I’ll miss them but it’s always nice to have some alone time to relax and recharge. My husband took over my mom duties while I slipped away to the stunning Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, for two nights.
Since I went to college in Vermont, every time I drive through those mountains, I’m surrounded by a sense of nostalgia. It is one of my favorite states and I immediately relax when I cross the border. Stowe is a quintessential Vermont town filled with adorable shops, ski mountains, hiking trails, and countless restaurants. It is about a 4-hour drive from Boston, 6 hours from NYC, and only a 2-hour drive from Canada, making it a wonderful New England destination. It is also 45 minutes from Burlington, Vermont, which would make for a great day trip. I can’t wait to tell you all about my experience at Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa…
SUNDAY
Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa is nestled in the heart of Stowe, on 60 gorgeous acres of nature. When I pulled up and saw how pretty the resort was, I immediately felt a sense of calm. The resort was decorated in fall decor, with pumpkins, hay, and mums.
I was definitely ready to do some relaxing!
The lobby had an inviting fireplace and so many seating areas.
I stayed in room 519, a King room, which was spacious and cozy.
The bed was so comfortable and had a big comfortable chair that was perfect to lie back on, enjoy some wine, and watch some good girly television.
My favorite part of the room was this gas fireplace. It was the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
My bathroom was huge and had a separate jetted bathtub and large glass-enclosed shower.
It was larger than many hotel rooms I’ve stayed in!
My first afternoon…
Since my main reason for my trip was to relax and recharge, I headed down to their gorgeous indoor pool. It felt so good to swim some laps as I looked out towards the gorgeous foliage of the surrounding mountains. There were plenty of lounge chairs and they provide towels.
Next, I headed outside to check out their second pool. I was curious to see just how warm the outdoor pool was, and I couldn’t resist jumping in after I felt it. I love swimming in outdoor pools when it’s cold out and it was even better because I had the entire pool to myself!
The resort also has a soothing outdoor jacuzzi. I bet it would be amazing to sit out in the jacuzzi during winter while there is snow on the ground. I grabbed my book, and sat in the jacuzzi as I read a few chapters of my book. I was in Heaven! The cleanliness of the pool area and the grounds show they take great pride in the resort.
Since I’d had a long day of shopping, I didn’t feel like leaving the resort and luckily, they have Charlie B’s, a fantastic restaurant on site. I wanted to eat in my room, and although they have room service, I decided to go down and sit at the bar, have a delicious VT Mule, and wait for my meal to be prepared.
I headed back to my room to thrown on some cozy pj’s, find a movie on tv, and have my amazing dinner. For an appetizer I had spicy duck ninja rolls.
For my main course, I enjoyed Filet mignon with caramelized onion and Bailey Hazen blue cheese with maple potato salad, and asparagus.
MONDAY
After a tour of the resort, I headed over to the spa for my massage!!
You’ve got to see this spa!!
The waiting area was a comfortable room where you can sip on water or warm tea by the fireplace, sink into the overstuffed chairs, and clear your mind before and after your treatment.
The spa has 30 treatment rooms with 120 treatments! The resort was generous to offer me a 50-minute aromatherapy massage. It was so relaxing, and was perfect for my aching back.
Think your relaxation is over after your treatment? Not even close! After the massage, I headed to the Aqua Solarium where their 12-foot high hydrotherapy massaging waterfall stands. The water flows into a Hungarian mineral soaking pool where you can float and allow your stress to slip away.
The Aqua Solarium is a beautiful room with a skyscape ceiling huge windows that have breathtaking views of Mt. Mansfield.
Next, I spent some time in the sauna.
What I like best are the little touches the resort puts into your experience. You can imagine how rejuvenating it was being in the sauna and putting these cold face towels on your face and cucumbers on your eyes!
The spa also has a steam room. I did poke into that for a little bit, but I’m not a huge fan of steam rooms so it didn’t last long.
Finally, I spent some time in the whirlpool. The water temperature and power of the jets was the perfect way to end my time at the spa. When I’m relaxing, I love areas that are private to women.
The women’s lounge has a changing area, with lockers you can program your own code into it. I love not having to worry about keeping a key on me.
It also had every bath amenity you could ever need to get you ready for the rest of your day. Not to mention…their showers were immaculately clean…you know how I feel about germs.
Near the lounge there is a private women’s sunning deck, that has a 6-foot privacy fence, but I didn’t get a chance to get out there.
After the spa, I decided to head to Charlie B’s again before I went out to explore Stowe. I had an amazing chopped salad with lobster salad.
What I enjoyed seeing most throughout the hotel were the many sitting areas that people were actually using! Often these areas are unoccupied, but I loved seeing couples sitting with a glass of wine in front of the fireplace, parents playing checkers with kids in the lobby, and people reading a book outside on benches. I love seeing that guest feel comfortable enough to make themselves at home.
For dinner, I decided to have one last dinner at Charlie B’s. I don’t normally feel comfortable dining alone, but the resort had such a doting staff and welcoming atmosphere that I felt perfectly happy hanging out at the bar having a cocktail while my meal was being prepared. I would have sat at a table but my pj’s were calling for me!
TUESDAY
I’ve got two dogs at home that somehow have become my duty to let out each morning, so I was so excited to be able to sleep in. I decided to throw on my resort bathrobe, make some coffee in my room, and order some room service. Look at how good this eggs benedict was!
Need some take to meditate? Stoweflake Resort has a meditative garden where you can walk the Labyrinth pathway that is used for relaxation and personal reflection.
The Labyrinth, designed by Dr. Patrick MacManaway of Scotland, is a lovely serene outdoor sanctuary. As you walk, you see regional flowers and herbs that they use in some of the signature treatments and even in the restaurant.
During warmer seasons you will enjoy the Solacium per Aqua (which means ‘comfort through water’), a 10-foot stone water structure that is used for relaxation.
The outdoor section of the resort has so many places where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the nature of Vermont.
If you’re going to enjoy some Vermont cider and all the tasty treats of the area, you might want to head over to the Cybernex Fitness Center where they have tons of cardio equipment and free weights.
If you’re not a fan of working out with guys, try out the Women’s Fitness Room that has aerobic and strength training equipment that is exclusive to women.
There is a fitness studio with plenty of classes like pilates and yoga.
Feel like a little golf? The resort has a Par-3 golf course, executive 9 holes.
Or you could play a game of squash or racket ball.
I love that the resort supports local artists by displaying their works of art in the hallways. You can even purchase them!
Traveling with your furry friends?
Stoweflake loved pups and they’ve set aside rooms especially for them! Your pups will love the dog trails located at the resort. They will also enjoy walking on the Stowe Rec Path located right near your room. It is a 5.3 path that winds through woods, meadows, farms, a wooden bridge, and swimming holes. I know my goldens would love this! Spots are limited and based on availability. There is also a $40 pet fee plus tax per day.
What could you do in the area?
SUMMER: Go golfing at the resort or at courses in the area, mini golfing across the street, bike along the rec path, go fly fishing, hike Mt. Mansfield, or explore waterfalls in the area.
WINTER: The resort is located near some of the best skiing and riding in Vermont. You could also x-country ski or snowshoe on the 5K trails at the resort, take a guided moonlight snowshoe tour, go snow tubing, go on sleigh rides, or even try dog sledding! Enjoy the outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi while snow falls around you!
FALL: Take a gondola ride up to the top of Mt. Mansfield, take a tour of a local cider brewery, go mountain biking, go apple picking, hike,
SPRING: Take a maple sugar tour, go spring skiing (until April 15), do a brewery tour, or head to Ben & Jerry’s to get a tour of this yummy Vermont treat! Shop in the many adorable boutique shops in downtown Stowe.
Who would love it?
The inn is classy and would make the perfect setting for a couple’s getaway, yet it is casual and welcoming that I would be completely comfortable bring my kids with me. It would also be a fun place to spend a girls’ spa weekend.
Tips for Planning your Stay
Parking? There is plenty of complimentary parking in the lot at the resort.
Check-in: 3:00 Check-out: 11:00
Room choice? I would recommend a room with a fireplace.
There is complimentary WiFi in all rooms and it worked really well.
There is complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and homemade treats from 3:00-5:00 each day.
The resort has a game room with a pool table, ping pong table, video games, and a tv.
They offer bike and snowshoe rentals.
The sports facility is free to all guests.
The spa facilities are complimentary to guests before and after their treatments. It is available to hotel guests not having treatments for $25 per day, plus tax.
Check out the Annual Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival held every July.
1746 MOUNTAIN ROAD
STOWE, VERMONT 05672
(800) 253-2232
Website: http://www.stoweflake.com/index.aspx
A warm thank you to Stoweflake Resort and Spa for me as your guest. Your resort had a comfortable elegance that made me feel relaxed and revived. The resort would be the perfect place for a family vacation, couple’s getaway, or girlfriends’ retreat. I can’t recommend this hotel enough! As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
