This Small-Town Vermont Boutique Hotel Blends Old World Charms With Modern Luxuries

Weston, Vermont, a tiny, picturesque village, sits amidst the scenic Green Mountain National Forest, roughly halfway between Okemo and Stratton ski resorts. The rugged terrain attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, including skiers, hikers, golfers, mountain bikers, and leaf peepers. However, the area sorely lacked an exceptional boutique luxury hotel — until The Weston graced Main Street with its presence.

Divided between two historic buildings, The Weston offers a cozy retreat with nine rooms reminiscent of an intimate country home. Renowned for their hospitality legacy with properties like The Carlyle, Gramercy Park Hotel, and the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles, the Sharp family oversaw the property’s extensive renovation, and the results reflect their impeccable taste and personal touch. The interiors are adorned with luxurious touches like Lefroy Brooks hardware, Diptyque toiletries, 18th-century antiques, vintage art, and hand-carved four-poster beds.

My teenage son and I visited over a long spring weekend and stayed in the spacious Suite Eight, which felt more like a luxurious private apartment than a hotel room. The grand suite’s decor takes inspiration from the West Indies and the Far East, blending fabrics, furnishings, lush carpets, original art, and framed film photographs of the Sharp’s worldwide travels. The massive sanctuary bath was adorned with marble vanities, a double rainfall shower, and a soaking tub. It felt like being invited to stay at your stylish friend’s weekend home in all the best ways.

Although the rainy weather made for less-than-ideal hiking conditions, we hunkered in front of the fireplace and passed the afternoon with competitive games of backgammon and a few superhero movies while enjoying the complementary snack bar’s selection of local, artisanal goodies.

Come evening, we moseyed over for an early dinner at The Left Bank, a bistro-inspired restaurant with an ambiance of refined service and timeless elegance. The menu features locally-sourced French fare, like oysters, confit de canard, onion soup gratinée, and steak au poivre. Produce from The Weston’s small-scale farm supplies the restaurant and heavily influences the menu, specials each week, and cocktails.

If the weather had cooperated, my son and I would have enjoyed the outdoor firepit and bocce court, but the indoor gym and spa, with a steam room and sauna, were a lovely consolation. I enjoyed one of the best facials of my life, the deeply hydrating Signature Facial, which infuses the skin with pure oxygen. We left for home feeling thoroughly rested and relaxed, and my skin was glowing.

The hotel is a throwback to an era when refined service and highly designed decor were the cornerstones of luxury accommodations, though the many thoughtful amenities are thoroughly modern.

Whether you are in town to hit the slopes, play a few rounds of bocce, or indulge in a handcrafted cocktail, here is everything you need to know about The Weston.

The Rooms

The property features nine distinctively designed guest rooms and suites between two restored buildings. The main house, which dates back to 1879, contains The Left Bank restaurant, a wine room, an inviting sitting room on the first floor, five one-bedroom guest rooms, and a two-bedroom suite above. The Carriage House boasts two king bedrooms, two full baths, a private ground-floor entrance, and an outdoor entertaining space, which makes it an excellent option for couples traveling together. It would also work well for families, though children must be over 12. The adjacent mill building contains two roomy suites and a small gym, spa, and yoga room.

Each suite has its own unique design, rich fabrics and carpets, original artwork, and its own private deck, perfect for enjoying al fresco dining. And if you’re in the mood for a private dining experience, there’s a dedicated space in each suite for in-suite dining.

Food and Drink

The Left Bank is a cozy bistro that’s all about capturing the essence of French country cuisine. With his impressive background at Emeril Lagasse and Cat Cora’s Kitchen, Executive Chef Brett Combs leads the charge with more than 20 years of culinary expertise. Every dish here is a testament to tradition, flavor, and careful sourcing from local purveyors, including the hotel’s own farm and greenhouse.

From classic favorites like burgers with fries and perfectly cooked steaks to more adventurous delicacies like caviar and escargot, there’s something to delight every palate. House specialties are delicacies include Les Ouefs, deviled eggs topped with mustard seed pearls, Petit Murray’s Poulet, a herb-brined Statler chicken set atop a celery root and potato gratin and topped with a verjus pan jus, and a caviar service offering both domestic and international options.

And let’s not forget about the drinks — the cocktails are delightful, but the real star is the carefully curated wine list. The restaurant partnered with Vermont Artisanal Cellars to craft a carefully selected wine list highlighting unique, hard-to-source, small-production bottles. On weekends, the restaurant buzzes with a mix of locals who consider it their go-to spot and travelers from afar. For guests staying at the hotel, mornings are a treat with a breakfast spread that includes local yogurt, freshly baked pastries, egg dishes, and a selection of espresso and French press coffee.

Activities and Experiences

While the facilities may not be sprawling, they’ve got all the essentials covered: a cozy fire pit to gather around under the stars, a bocce court for some friendly competition, a gym equipped with everything you need to stay active — a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, free weights, and a stationary bike — and a kitchen garden bursting with fresh herbs and vegetables for that farm-to-table experience. There’s an inviting yoga studio where you can stretch and unwind, as well as a spa complete with a steam room and sauna for ultimate relaxation.

The knowledgeable staff is on hand to help you plan your hike to Buttermilk Falls or a slice of the challenging Long Trail, which runs the length of Vermont. They’ll help you map your route, pack a picnic, and welcome you back with a cocktail upon your return.

The Spa

When it comes to pampering, Le Spa offers a concise, curated menu of facials and massages. Treatments are designed to relieve tension and stress, perfect après-ski (or hike). The spa is tiny, designed to feel like your own personal refuge, with just a single treatment room and accompanying private steam room and cedar-lined sauna. With director Jennifer Warner at the helm, the spotlight is on the quality of the treatments. Her valuable experience from the world-renowned Glenmere Mansion, a Relais & Chateaux premier hotel and spa, and Joanna Vargas Day Spa inform every interaction.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The historic nature of the buildings and the lack of elevators means that guests with limited mobility will have difficulty accessing most of the rooms. However, the facilities — restaurant, spa, and check-in — along with room 6A are located on the ground floor and are wheelchair accessible.

The hotel’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its cooking, as all ingredients are sourced from the on-site vegetable and herb gardens, with other products coming from local farms.

Location

The Weston is a stone’s throw from a handful of great ski resorts, including Bromley, Stratton, Okemo, and Magic Mountain, and the town of Weston itself is the epitome of New England charm — though the rural location ensures you will need a car to get there and access the local activities. Lowell State Park is a nearby option for hiking, paddling, fishing, and picnicking, as is Hapgood Pond. The nearby Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center offers a network of hiking, biking, and ski trails and rental equipment for snowshoeing, skiing, and mountain biking.

Day-tripping around the area offers a captivating journey through the scenic Green Mountain landscape, bucolic farmlands, meandering rivers, quaint villages with white-steepled churches, covered bridges, and farm stands offering fresh local produce, including the region’s renowned maple syrup and artisanal cheeses. There are afternoon excursions aplenty. You might try hunting for antiques at the Vermont Antique Mall, often voted the “Best of New England,” or stopping by JJ Hapgood General Store, Vermont’s original general store. Grab lunch and a milkshake at Honey Pie, a classic burger joint that uses only the best local ingredients. Or sip a local brew at Long Trail Brewery, perched on the banks of the Ottauquechee. The region is also known for its crafts, including glassware legend Simon Pearce and furniture from Shackleton Thomas, both of which have studios with retail spaces in the area.

The closest sizable town is Manchester, a historic former iron-mining village that is well worth an afternoon trip. Explore the town’s boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants, and stop in the famous Northshire Bookstore. Visit the Hildene estate, the former home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, and take a tour of the Georgian Revival mansion and gardens. Nearby, the Southern Vermont Arts Center has a beautiful sculpture garden, wide-ranging exhibitions, a performance space, and sprawling grounds with forest pathways.