The Woodstock Inn and Resort is one of my favorite hotels in the country. It’s a grand, stately hotel that’s steeped in history and set in a storybook New England town. How perfect! I had the pleasure of staying at the hotel in early October, and it was a great way to kick off the fall season. Autumn in Vermont is picturesque, and The Woodstock Inn and Resort is an ideal home base to experience it from.
The Woodstock Inn and Resort is located in the heart of charming Woodstock, Vermont, a bucolic town located in the center of the state and surrounded by the Green Mountains. The Woodstock Inn and Resort has been called “Vermont’s most beautiful address” and that nickname is really true!
The original Woodstock Inn opened in 1892 and in 1967 Laurance Rockefeller purchased it with the goal of rebuilding and modernizing. Now the hotel is a year-round destination that embraces the original vision of Rockefeller and reflects New England’s heritage and charm.
When arriving at The Woodstock Inn and Resort, guests are immediately struck by the elegant landscaping and the classic Federalist architecture. The view of the front lawn through the hotel’s white fence is iconic. In the fall the front of the lawn is decorated with colorful mums and the rest of the grounds are covered with seasonal gourds and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. While the hotel is a great destination in each season, fall is my favorite time to visit due to the beautiful autumnal decorations.
The Woodstock Inn and Resort is the perfect home base from which to explore Woodstock. Here, you’re steps away from experiencing all that downtown has to offer, including the shops, art galleries and restaurants on Main Street. Woodstock is truly an idyllic town and The Inn is its crown jewel. Staying right in the center of town is optimal for sightseeing on foot. In busier months (like October) the traffic and parking in downtown Woodstock can be hectic, having a home base right in the center of town makes it easy to avoid that headache.
Since the hotel is centrally located you have the restaurants and cafes of Woodstock at your fingertips, and the hotel has two great dining options as well. Richardson’s Tavern is the more casual eatery and The Red Rooster is the hotel’s award-winning restaurant that serves local, farm fresh food. If you visit in the fall, don’t skip on dessert. The maple cake and the pumpkin cheesecake were both standouts.
Something else I love about The Woodstock Inn and Resort is the amount of activities and experiences offered to guests. There’s truly something for everyone. The hotel boasts a 10,000 square foot LEED-certified spa that features locally sourced products. Guests are also invited to experience miles of hiking trails, golf at The Woodstock Country Club, fly-fishing lessons and a variety of winter sports in the colder months.
While the hotel offers many activities, I loved simply relaxing on the property. The front lawn is a great location to gather with a group and people watch. There are a few Adirondack chairs on the lawn that make great sunset viewing spots. The hotel’s lobby boasts a huge fireplace surrounded by couches and chairs. Ending each night in front of the fire with a glass of wine was bliss!
Another thing I love about The Woodstock Inn and Resort is that it’s a dog friendly property. Vermont is a great destination to enjoy with your pet, and I love that The Inn acknowledges this and accepts dogs. There were many other dogs staying in the hotel when we visited and the other guests and staff were welcoming and kind to Ollie.
The Woodstock Inn and Resort is a fabulous resort destination in the heart of Vermont. The hotel melds luxury, history and New England charm beautifully. I recommend the hotel for all types of travelers- couples looking for a romantic getaway, families who want to experience Vermont and people who love traveling with their dogs!
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