Year-Round Family Getaway at The Hermitage Inn in Southern Vermont with Summer Lake Activities

After a two-year renovation, The Hermitage Inn reopened its doors in 2021 with a brand-new look. Here’s what it’s like inside.

A formerly shuttered property is getting a second chance in southern Vermont. The Hermitage Inn, which dates back to 1842, has 14 guest rooms, one suite, and now showcases contemporary design inside.

Spread out across 112 acres along the base of Haystack Mountain in West Dover, Vermont, the Hermitage Inn is a year-round destination. The private Hermitage Club sits on the mountain and operates for daily runs, although guests also have numerous nearby skiing options.

With a broad selection of activities available to guests, the inn feels like a full-scale resort. It includes two restaurants, a small spa, two hot tubs, a sauna, a gym, catering services, and numerous bookable activities suited for every season, rounding out this boutique accommodation.

The Hermitage Inn came into the hands of its new owners organically. “It is a special place for us,” said Mary Lou Ricci, who owns the hotel with her husband, Tim Hall. “Tim and I were engaged on Haystack Mountain and dined at the Inn that evening. We celebrated a family wedding here and have toasted our friends countless times.”

During the pandemic, the pair sold their business and decided to purchase the property just three days later. “It gave us the opportunity to do all the things that are meaningful and joyful to us in life,” she explained. “We create amazing memories and experiences for people, through food, wine, decor, and natural surroundings. What could be better as a next chapter?”

My family and I arrived at the Hermitage Inn on a snowy March evening, entering through the covered bridge that connects the main road to the property—a picturesque Vermont greeting. For those seeking a New England winter experience, the property erects a seasonal ice skating rink and a rental hut for guests. In summer, the rink transforms into an archery range, providing 50-minute sessions for guests with an instructor.

During our stay, we strolled down from the main building toward the trout pond, which, in summer, is stocked with fish for a catch-and-release fly-fishing program. This program offers fishing-curious guests an opportunity to learn the sport. Additionally, more experienced guests can opt for guided fishing tours with the property’s seasoned guides.

The property also offers kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in summer, with transport to nearby lakes: Raponda, Whitingham, and Somerset. For most of the year, guests can rent e-bikes on-site to explore the nearby Valley Trails. There are two public golf courses conveniently located within three miles of the inn.

I personally enjoyed unwinding in the inn’s petite spa, which features a single treatment room for 60- and 90-minute massages. I continued my relaxation with time in the hot tub, nestled beneath a pergola overlooking a rushing stream.

The sauna, just steps away, features a window where I admired the afternoon light alongside a picture-perfect view of the woods and water. The hot tub and sauna connect to a communal game room with a fireplace, adding to the relaxation experience.

Our two rooms were bright and airy, featuring gas-lit fireplaces. One room had ample space for a sheepskin rug and a sitting area, providing added comfort. The privacy afforded by closing the corridor door was an added benefit for families traveling with children.

Several family-friendly accommodations within the inn include a larger Carriage House suite that comes equipped with a full kitchen, a game room, a private hot tub, and four bedrooms with en-suite baths.

The inn’s two restaurants, both led by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schlow and executed by chef MacGregor Mann, provide different dining experiences. At the formal, prix-fixe venue, The Birches, guests enjoy fine dining in a room adorned with a large stone fireplace, high ceilings, and a glass wall opening onto a fieldstone patio during warmer months.

We began our dining experience in the gray-lacquered tavern, where the menu included homemade bread, a substantial pork chop on Carolina Gold grits, and a flaming plank of baked Alaska for dessert.

In the colder months, diners can partake in another unique experience, as we did on our last evening. Two restored ski gondolas, located near the skating rink, offer romantic escapes, furnished with cozy chandeliers, plush pillows, blankets, and curtains. Our group enjoyed a towering cheese fondue served alongside sausages, maitake mushrooms, crunchy cornichons, apples, toasted bread, and caramelized Brussels sprouts.

There is a wealth of activities available on the property, regardless of the season. However, for those eager to explore further, the surrounding area offers an array of options. During our visit, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association hosted their Maple Open House Weekends. My family and I made the 40-minute drive to Brattleboro to sample different classes of syrup at the fifth-generation producer, Robb Family Farm.

At Saxtons River Distillery, my husband and I enjoyed a flight of small-batch maple-centric spirits while the children sipped maple milkshakes, played shuffleboard, and sought out the resident cat. Closer to the inn, we observed maple syrup production at Stevens Family Sugarhouse before visiting Sprague & Son Maple, where we indulged in sugar on snow—a delightful combination of hot syrup poured onto shaved ice, served with a pickle and a donut for a sweet touch.

On our final day, following a windy New England morning in early April, we traveled to Stratton Mountain, just 40 minutes north of West Dover, known for its exceptional skiing. With 99 trails, 11 lifts, a tube park, ice skating, and a shoppable village, we explored potential upgrades to our ski gear during the end-of-season sales.

However, we ultimately decided to shop at Twice Blessed, a popular consignment store located just minutes from the inn, where we discovered treasures ranging from vintage furs to board games and furniture. From our excursion, we returned home with an old edition of Monopoly, along with seven bottles of authentic Vermont maple syrup—the sweetest ending to our weekend away.

Nightly stays start at $275. Learn more at thehermitageinnvermont.com.