the Hampton Inn Brattleboro, 1378 Putney Rd. (www.hamptoninn.com; 866/238-4218 or 802/254-5700). But it isn’t as cheap as most of the other motel options.
Fortunately, inns abound in this part of Vermont, and some are priced quite affordably.
Brattleboro
See also the Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield, NH (chapter 12, p. 575), about a 10-minute drive east of Brattleboro.
Colonial Motel & Spa Operated by the same family for 3 decades, this sprawling 7-acre compound set back from Route 5 is a far better deal than the highway chains. The rear building’s rooms, set farther back from road noise, are also larger and more comfortably furnished, if still somewhat motel-generic. There’s a cozy lounge and basic restaurant on-site—but the best feature is a 75-foot indoor saltwater lap pool in the spa building, where there’s also a dry sauna, steam room, and a simple fitness center where massages are available. A second pool accommodates kids and casual swimmers.
Latchis Hotel At downtown Brattleboro’s main intersection, this hotel fairly leaps out in Victorian-brick Brattleboro. Built at in 1938 in understated Art Deco style (there’s only one other true Deco building in Vermont; it’s in Rutland, see p. 511), the Latchis was once the cornerstone for a small chain of hotels and theaters. It no longer has its own orchestra or commanding dining room, but the movie theater (showing first-run films) remains, and the place still has an authentic period flair. Some units have been upgraded over the past few years, with newer furnishings and sunny art prints on the walls; other rooms and hallways, however, say “1938” in a way that will captivate some guests, and leave others wishing for more modern surroundings. About two-thirds of the rooms have limited views of the river, though those views include the sounds of cars crawling down Main Street early every morning. If you need quiet, sacrifice the views and ask for a room in back—or ask for a sound-masking machine, available at no charge. You can walk to the museum, food co-op, or shops of Main Street from here without breaking a sweat.
50 Main St., Brattleboro. www.latchis.com. 800/798-6301 or 802/254-6300. 30 units. $100–$180 double; $190 suite. Rates include continental breakfast. Amenities: Wi-Fi (free).
Near Mt. Snow
The Mount Snow area has a surfeit of lodging options, ranging from basic motels to luxury inns and slope-side condos; rates in most of them drop quite a bit in summer, when the region slips into a pleasant lethargy. In winter, though, the high prices reflect the relatively easy drive from New York and Boston. The best phone call to make first is to Mount Snow’s central reservations line ( 800/451-4211 or 800/245-7669) to ask about vacation packages and condo accommodations.
Deerhill Inn Set on a hillside above Route 100 in West Dover with views of the rolling mountains, Deerhill Inn was built as a ski lodge in 1954, but subsequent innkeepers have given it more of an upscale country character. It’s not quite in the luxury category (rooms do not have phones), but makes for a nice alternative to more rustic B&B accommodations. In summer, the property features attractive gardens and a nice stonework pool; in winter, the ski slopes are just a short drive away. Guest rooms vary from the small and cozy to the spacious, some with Jacuzzis and/or flatscreen TVs; several more are located in a motel-like annex (these rooms all have balconies). The Tamarack Room features a king bed, double Jacuzzi, and attractive stone fireplace; Dahlia has a Jacuzzi, small fireplace, and walk-out private deck. The “garden” rooms are cheaper and less luxe, but cheerful and charming. Dining-room fare, available only to inn guests, is a highlight (the wine cellar is impressive), and all guests can use the two upstairs sitting rooms stocked with books.
14 Valley View Rd., West Dover. www.deerhill.com. 802/464-3100. 13 units. $145–$295 double; $240–$355 suite. Rates include breakfast. 2-night minimum stay Sat–Sun. Children 8 and over welcome. Amenities: Dining room; bikes; outdoor pool; Wi-Fi (free).
Grand Summit Resort Hotel at Mount Snow Like a house of several dozen gables (you’ll probably stop counting), Mount Snow’s premier lodging rambles along the base of the big mountain’s ski trails—but the attractions here are year-round, and the resort is as handily located for summer and foliage-season pursuits as it is for skiing and snowboarding. You won’t find country-inn coziness here (after all, there are nearly 200 rooms and suites), although the common areas are lodge-y enough, with natural surfaces and the de rigueur big stone fireplace. The star factor is the number and variety of guest accommodations: choices range from kitchenette-equipped studios, to hotel rooms, to full-kitchen one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites (including penthouse suites) sleeping up to six. The prime offerings are the suites with loft bedrooms (that explains all those gables), making “send the kids up to bed” a literal option. Many units have decks; some have fireplaces, and a few come with a sauna. Opportunities for pampering and recreation also far exceed the small-inn norm, with chairlift rides, a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, the holistically oriented Naturespa, and the 18-hole, Geoffrey Cornish-designed championship Mount Snow Golf Club. Mountain biking, hiking trails, and kids’ Outdoor Exploration Camp are all part of the scene.
39 Mount Show Rd., West Dover. www.mountsnow.com. 800/498-0479. 196 units. $112–$197 double; $187–$650 suites; higher in winter. Amenities: 2 restaurants; spa; health club; pool; golf course; Wi-Fi (free).
Vintage Motel The stereotype of the thrifty Vermonter plays out for real at this perfect pick for travelers planning to be on the go rather than chilling in their rooms. These are basic units that are actually quite nice-looking, if predictably “motelish” with office-standard carpeting, TVs, phones, mini-fridges (in deluxe rooms), and durable furniture. There’s a common room with a microwave. In winter, the place fills up with skiers and with local and visiting snowmobilers: A major trail passes through the motel’s backyard.
195 Rte. 9, Wilmington. www.vintagemotel.net. 800/899-9660 or 802/464-8824. 18 units. $77–$115 double; $125–$225 deluxe rooms. Rates include continental breakfast, weekends and holidays only. 2-night minimum stay Fri–Sat; 3 nights some holidays. Pets allowed in 3 units ($15 per pet). Amenities: Kids’ play area; Wi-Fi (free).
