Get Out of Town is a series where we highlight easy getaways from Boston. These may be a perfect bitesize weekend trip or a splurge worthy weeklong escape. But the main criteria are that the destination is both convenient to access and offers visitors an experience that surprises and delights. If you missed our recommendation last time, read all about why you should book a trip to Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod.
Why drive to Vermont
We are smack dab in the middle of a cold, dark, New England winter. And if you are like us, you are looking for ways to kick the winter blues to the curb. Luckily, we have lots of ideas on places to visit for a quick getaway, check out our full weekend guide from Boston. But if you are looking for an especially chic, snowy spot, this boutique hotel in Vermont is worth the drive.
The Hermitage Inn is only about 2.5 hours from Boston and luckily the route is one that rarely gets slowed down by traffic on busy days. Once you get out of the city, it should be smooth sailing all the way to Vermont.
What it’s like at the Hermitage Inn
The original inn on the property at the Hermitage Inn is from the 1700s, but the current owners completely renovated the entire property after purchasing the property during the pandemic. And they reopened to the public last winter. This season the hotel’s lift to the Hermitage Club also reopened.
The inn has a very European feel, when you arrive you are greeted like a member of the family, shown to your room and then told about all the amazing things going on at the property during your stay.
The hotel is located right on the slopes of the private members club, Hermitage Club, and while you need to be a member to ski on the mountain, Mount Snow is also just 10 minutes away, which is open to the public, so there are lots of options for skiing.
Dining
The food and wine program at the Hermitage Inn is spectacular. With a spacious wine cellar filled with all sorts of unique, hard to find wines, everyone should book a wine tasting during their stay. Available to be booked out privately so you can enjoy a one-on-one experience with the sommelier, this is not only a fun experience, but you may also learn a few things as the team is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to food and wine pairings. The wine tastings typically come with 3 side by side wines to try and a charcuteries board to share. The best part is that if you find a favorite, you can have a full glass upstairs when you head to dinner.
There is a fine dining restaurant and a pub onsite so whether you feel like grabbing a seat at a beautiful bar and ordering a few cocktails and some snacks or sitting down next to a fireplace in the fine dining spot, Birches, you really do not need to leave the property once the sun sets.
For more ideas on things to do in Vermont, read our recent guide to all the hidden gems worth checking out.