Ask a friend about a luxurious winter resort around these parts and you’ll likely be faced with a blank stare and a finger pointing in the direction of Aspen, Colorado, or Deer Valley, Utah. Fortunately for us, the new Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont has redefined high-end luxury vacationing in northern New England.
By Jack Morris
Managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country, Stowe Mountain Lodge is part of a $400 million development and tips the scales of what a luxurious mountain resort should be, with a dedication to service and detail that is unrivaled north of Boston.
Wind your way up Stowe’s Mountain Road as the high ridges of Mt. Mansfield drop like sheer walls in front of you and turn into the driveway at Spruce Peak. Here’s where the VIP treatment begins. Valets are quick to assist you, and as you enter the lodge, vaulted ceilings, tall birch trees, stone fireplaces, and leather sofas welcome you with views of Spruce Peak in one direction and the Front Four on Mt. Mansfield in the other.
Each guest room comes furnished with floor-to-ceiling windows, a marble bathroom with a glass shower and separate tub, an international pillow menu, and wireless Internet, among other amenities. You can also choose rooms with fireplaces, private balconies, and kitchenettes. After a long day on the slopes, check your gear with the ski valet and walk down the hall to the spa. This 21,000 square-foot facility includes 19 treatment rooms, harmony areas for Zen music therapy, a fitness center, and a relaxation room. Did we mention the body treatments, Mario Russo salon, and bridal services? If you’re still awake after all that hands-on attention, fill up at Solstice where the chef prepares locally-grown and organic food.
For those looking to buy into this development, Stowe Mountain Lodge also offers ownership opportunities in their private club where owners purchase fractional interest in a residence. Owners are also entitled to complimentary lift tickets and priority dining reservations at the Cliff House restaurant at the top of the gondola on Mt. Mansfield. Prices start at $359,000. 888-478-6938, stowemountainlodge.com