The Weston | Rural Vermont Gets a Boutique Hotel With Big City Roots

There have been several exciting new openings, renovations and re-openings to look forward to this year in America. Vermont has no shortage of cozy inns and quirky B&Bs. And you’d be forgiven for driving down the Main Street of sleepy Weston and thinking the town’s namesake hotel was just another one of them. The plain Jane, white, colonial-style exteriors are deceiving. Step through the front door though, and you’ll be met by doting staff and sophisticated interiors decorated with both local and worldly touches. A two-and-a-half-year renovation courtesy of the Sharps, the family behind timeless hotels like the Carlyle in New York City and Los Angeles’ Beverly Wilshire, has turned this intimate getaway into a true destination stay.

The Restaurant

The casual French bistro, Left Bank, opened last May, a few months ahead of the hotel, and was an instant hit with the local crowd. Expect classics like steak au poivre, confit de canard, and chicken liver mousse that showcase Vermont ingredients. Vermont may be the land of beer but the wine cellar, curated in partnership with Vermont Artisanal Cellars, is extraordinary, featuring both rare vintage bottles and easy drinking, affordable by-the-glass options.

The Rooms

The Weston holds five rooms and four suites each have their own unique design; all have been kitted out with luxe touches like deep soaking tubs, Lefroy Brooks hardware, Diptyque toiletries, and super soft bathrobes, as well as art and antiques from the Sharps personal collection. The second floor of the main house, originally built in the late 1800s, has rooms and one two-bedroom suite. The other two suites are located nearby in the two-floor Carriage House. The showstopper is Suite Eight, a palatial space with two electric fireplaces outlined in hand-painted tiles, a writing desk, sitting room, and four-poster bed, plus a private outdoor entertaining space.

Adventures

In the warmer months, communal spaces with bocce, croquet courts, and firepits, give the hotel a summer camp vibe. The local area offers limitless options for outdoor recreation. In the summer, Hapgood Pond has a beach for swimming and Emerald Lake, named for its green-hued waters, offers swimming, paddling, and fishing. Hikers should make the 20-minute drive to the Buttermilk Falls Trail. An easy, half-mile hike leads to the cascades and pools deep enough for a dip, so pack your swimsuit.

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