Kimpton Taconic Hotel

The problem with historic Vermont inns? They’re...historic, and sometimes equipped with the creaking hallways and too-tight quarters of ye olde New England. Taconic kept the best elements of the era—including gracious, rocking chair-lined porches and clapboard architecture—but modernized it for today. Rooms are adorned in tailored furniture, crisp Frette bed linens, and welcoming florals and plaids; book a Junior Suite for a 350-375 square foot space with a deep soaking tub, an ideal place to steep after a hike in the nearby Stratton mountains. If you’re traveling en famille, the cottages are a delight; the Worthy Cottage was originally built in 1848, and each of the three bedrooms has their own private outdoor entrance. While there is no standalone spa, guests rave over the in-room treatments; get the rosemary and juniper-scented hot stone massage if you know what’s good for you.

A new lodge inspired by 19th century Vermont inns, with a seasonal heated pool, loaner scooters (and helmets), in-room spa treatments, and a locavore tavern.

Missing Kimpton’s legendary comped treats. Expect morning coffee and tea in the hotel Living Room, plus an evening wine hour nightly from 5 to 6 p.m.

Kimpton is renowned for pampering pooches as much as VIPs; this particular property has no pet fee, plus plush loaner pet beds and food and water bowls.

Bellied up to the wood-lined Copper Grouse Restaurant & Bar, you feel a little like a Revolutionary War soldier nabbing a long-awaited pint of ale. Until, that is, you take a bite of your tempura cauliflower with tahini ranch dip. This isn’t Ye Olde Vermont as-usual.

The Copper Grouse - serving American classics using locally sourced ingredients