Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont

Opened June 2008, Stowe Mountain Lodge is nestled at the base of Mt. Mansfield and Smugglers Notch and is the only hotel in the area to offer ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes. While winter is the busy season, the hotel is equally romantic other times of year. With floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the mountains in the lobby and guest rooms, you’ll feel like you’re part of nature without even having to step outdoors. The on-site Alpine Concierge contacts guests before they arrive to make arrangements for dining, spa treatments, area activities and more.

Each of the 139 rooms at Stowe Mountain Lodge is comfortable and rustic, yet elegant. The average 550-square foot room has a separate shower with room for two and an oversized tub. Many have fireplaces and balconies to add a touch of romance. Each has kitchenettes that you can fill with local goodies, such as Vermont cheese and baked goods from the on-site Schuss gourmet store or one of the local shops in town. The rooms bring nature indoors with eco-friendly products, including bamboo sheets, Mario Russo organic amenities, and even soy pens. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

Solstice, the signature restaurant at Stow Mountain Lodge, offers farm-to-table cuisine that is popular throughout Vermont. Menus are prepared with fresh, local, organic ingredients and changed seasonally. A sample menu might include sweet potato soup with frizzled onions and grilled salmon with orange-basil basmati rice. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and service is friendly and well-orchestrated. Other dining options include the Hourglass Bar and the pool bar.

Stowe Mountain Lodge has a variety of ballrooms and can host weddings for up to 300 guests. The main ballroom opens up on a terrace with stunning views of the mountains. It has an open fire pit and makes an ideal spot for pre- or post-dinner cocktails. In addition, the hotel offers many suites, which are perfect for groups and/or wedding suites for brides getting dressed, post-celebration cocktails or smaller brunches. An on-site wedding planner can help customize wedding plans, be it an intimate ceremony at the top of the mountain or a weekend blowout for hundreds.

Stowe Mountain Lodge offers a Green Getaway Package that can be customized for any season. A sample getaway includes a two-night stay in a studio guestroom; a choice of a bottle of champagne upon arrival or an in-room bath with rose petals and glasses of champagne; a 50-minute couples massage in the spa’s VIP couples suite; a choice of breakfast in bed or in Solstice each morning and two passes for a gondola ride to the top of Mt. Mansfield. In addition, the Alpine Concierge can arrange to have rose petals sprinkled on the bed or the restaurant can customize desserts.

While winter skiing is the highlight at Stowe Mountain Lodge, the area is gorgeous in any season. The outdoor heated pool is open year-round. The hotel’s golf course, Stowe Mountain Club, sits on the shores of nearby Peregrine Lake and is an Audubon sanctuary. Over Easy Gondola is across the street from the hotel. It offers views of the surrounding mountains and is a great way to kick off a hike in the warmer months. Fly-fishing expeditions can be arranged through the on-site Orvis team. The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge is a dreamy way to unwind. and newlyweds will love a couples’ massage in the Duet Room.

The resort is about five miles from downtown Stowe. Couples will enjoy meandering through the crafts shops with wares from local artisans including glass blowers and potters. Outdoor enthusiasts can walk, cycle, or rollerblade the 5.3 mile recreation path. Gourmets should definitely plan a dinner at Hen of the Woods; the man in the kitchen was named a Food & Wine magazine best new chef. A horse-driven carriage ride is a romantic way to end the evening.

Stowe Mountain Resort is a romantic mountain destination for couples of all ages although not for those looking for nightlife or a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It’s ideal for everyone from the outdoor enthusiast who wants to ski, golf, fish, or hike or for those who prefer to take it easy and hibernate in scenic surroundings or take a leisurely drive through winding mountain roads. It’s also a food lover’s paradise; restaurants at the hotel and many in town make the most of local produce, meats, and cheeses.