Head up the Stowe Mountain Road out of Stowe village and Stowe Mountain Lodge sits just off Mountain Road on the lawn of Spruce Peak. As soon as you make the turn into the Lodge drive leading to the reception center you can't help being overwhelmed by the size of the building. It's not that tall but it is a wide presence that runs off either side of the entrance circle.
Stowe Mountain Lodge
In a short time, Stowe Mountain Lodge has built a reputation and a following usually reserved for mountain retreats with a well documented past. However, being under the management of Destination Hotels & Resorts has meant the practices and protocols were well polished when Stowe Mountain Lodge opened.
Destination Hotels & Resorts knows about ski country lodging and what ski country guests need and expect. This is evident at the front door where you pull in to find a small army of doorman and car attendants ready to quickly and carefully unload skis, boots, luggage and computer bags, and whisk your vehicle to the valet parking area. Of note, is the few times I did call for the car it was at the door running and heated before I made it down.
Reaching Out to You
Stowe Mountain Lodge's Alpine Concierge is there for you - before you are even there. They can arrange to have your skis shipped and your lessons booked and lift tickets waiting when you arrive.
Once you have arrived and want to head out to the slopes just call down and tell the ski valet when you will be dressed and ready and you'll find your skis outside on a rack with your name sticker attached. I had, in fact, brought two pair of skis and each morning when I called down I was asked which pair I needed ready.
From the ski valet center it's a short walk to click-in and head up Spruce Peak or hop on the Over Easy gondola and your ready to ski Mt. Mansfield.
Checking in was painless and on the way to the room the bellman reviewed the location of the in- house restaurants, shops, spa, pool, and the other facilities available for guests.
Accommodation Options
Accommodations at the Stowe Mountain Lodge range from guest rooms and suites to condo and cabin rentals. When traveling with your family, the suites are an ideal option. From a junior suite with a kitchenette, to a three bedroom suite, for up to 8 guests, with a full gourmet kitchen, there are accommodations to fit the size of your party.
The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge
The spa experience at Stowe Mountain Lodge is not to missed. The luxurious 21,000 square foot world-class spa features full spa treatments and includes a full-service fitness center, indoor/outdoor water therapy, a relaxation area and two harmony rooms for music therapy.
There's a heated outdoor swimming pool with indoor access, as well as Jacuzzis. The fitness center, pool and Jacuzzi are complementary for guests, while a guest service fee is charged for the spa and the Healing Lodge.
Dining - Elegant and Casual
The 110-seat Solstice restaurant offers Vermont farm-to-table cuisine in an elegant, yet casual and comfortable setting. Solstice aims to connect guests with the land of Vermont through a sampling of locally-grown fresh produce, artisan cheeses and all-natural meats. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Four- and seven-course tasting dinners are offered, in addition to an à la carte menu. Named for one of Stowe's most venerated ski trails, the Hourglass bar serves seasonal cocktails, rare wines by the glass and regional microbrews, including the signature Hourglass Ale, specially-brewed for Stowe Mountain Lodge by Rock Art Brewery in nearby Morrisville, Vermont.
The Hourglass lounge menu offers a mix of contemporary and classic internationally-inspired dishes, and an extraordinary wine cellar with hard-to-find bottles from small-production vineyards throughout the world.
I found the relaxed and open sitting area at the Hourglass to be a natural for families more than few with one, two and three generations enjoying themselves.
Vermont Alpine
The architectural concept of the Stowe Mountain Lodge reflects the New England wooded warmth of Vermont hospitality. The lobby is complimented by tall windows bringing in the mountain vistas. I stayed during pre-Christmas week and the lobby was centered with an imposing 20 foot "Christmas tree" of potted poinsettia plants.
The lobby is surrounded by natural stone walls, vertical cuts of white birch trees and a large wood burning fireplace with leather sitting areas makeing for a warm welcome. In an era of gas fireplaces the wood fire in the sitting area was quite popular and a great place to meet and share stories of the day, with a glass of wine or hot chocolate.
Stowe is the first mountain resort in the United States to have been awarded Audubon International's sustainable community award and Stowe Mountain Lodge was built using eco-friendly practices and maintains a commitment to environmental stewardship through its operational practices.
Stowe Mountain Lodge holds a AAA Four Diamond Distinction and if you do a vacation there, short or long it will quickly become a favorite of yours as it has for me. Here's a little tip, Stowe Mountain Lodge has a very sopisticated web site and regularly posts deals and specials, so sign up to be notified when new deals are posted.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary amenities and lift tickets for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
