Trip Motivation
We didn’t have a particular reason to visit Vermont on our recent Thanksgiving 2022 trip. But with the long weekend, we decided it’d be fun to briefly explore a new state and hit some highlights. We stayed at a Ski Resort in Stowe, VT for one evening and enjoyed our brief visit.
For more on our long weekend, see posts here:
Points and Miles for a New England Trip
The Lodge at Spruce Peak
We spent 1 night at the Lodge at Spruce Peak. The hotel is in Spruce Peak near Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. There were tons of ski amenities and a really cool Austrian village vibe. Stowe is about 3.5 hours from Boston or close to Burlington Airport.
Total cost was a little pricey at $450/night. The points rate was really high and we decided it wasn’t worth it for this trip. We did take advantage of our hotel status for perks such as free breakfast and a suite upgrade. You may find cheaper rates not during the Holiday season. If you are interested in using points, you can earn Hyatt points from Hyatt stays, the Hyatt credit card and Chase points, which can be transferred to Hyatt. Learn more about points here.
Read on to see why we loved this hotel so much and the top things to do with kids at the resort.
1. Ice Skating
The highlight of our stay at the hotel was ice skating on-site. In the winter, the green area is set up with a small rink. It was a little pricey ($20 each) for skates and admission but so fun. Carter had taken lessons before but Ellie hadn’t. She did great!
2. Ski Gondola and Snow Playing
Some of the ski lifts were only accessible to those with lift tickets but there was one gondola that we could access without tickets. The kids and I enjoyed taking it over the parking lots to the ski area back and forth a few times. We also enjoyed watching the other skiers go down the mountainside. If we go in the future and go skiing, the gondola and lifts are really convenient to the slopes.
3. Pool and Hot Tub
The giant pool was heated! I’ve never been in a pool while it was 20 degrees outside. There was a nice indoor entry area so you didn’t have to brave the cold. There are also 2 hot tubs. Be aware that it wasn’t well-lit and the steam from the pool made it a little tricky to keep an eye on the kids. They had a blast though!
4. Restaurants On Site
We had a great breakfast buffet at Alpine Hall. The kids love omelets and pancakes! There were also some unique offerings like quiche and pork belly. I love when we get the bill wiped from our hotel status.
We also ate some yummy pretzels and apps from a brewpub called Whistlepig near the skating rink. They served raclette cheese and we enjoyed watching the big fire melting cheese.
5. Other Activities
Similar to other Hyatt resorts, there is a calendar of activities including free snow-shoe walks, rock climbing, smore’s and other fun activities. Be sure to check the calendar for more details. On-site there are ski rental areas, a large fitness center, and tons of cute shops around the main green area.
Final Thoughts
This was a quick trip but so much fun! In the future when the kids can ski, this would be a fantastic location for the convenient ski access. This was a quick but wonderful trip.
For more on our long weekend, see posts here:
Points and Miles for a New England Trip
