6 New England Vacations to Take From Westchester | Westchester Magazine
By Gina Valentino | August 22, 2022
Edson Hill
Stowe, Vermont
The approachable and kind Edson Hill team provides personalized experiences to elevate each stay, ensuring guests that at-home feel in New England. Courtesy of Edson Hill.
Stowe is synonymous with snowcapped slopes, picturesque trails, and a bustling après-ski scene. While the tiny town (population: approx. 600) thrives as temps drop and flakes fall, Vermont’s moniker, the Green Mountain State, must be recalled, as the region’s lush landscape during spring and summer makes it the quintessential destination for all four seasons.
To hang your hat here any time of year, book a stay at Edson Hill, a serene, secluded boutique hotel that received a thoughtful, sophisticated refresh by the incoming owners roughly eight years ago. Just minutes away from the famed Stowe ski mountain, the family-owned rustic retreat is set on 38 classic acres of Vermont topography and offers a covetable blend of modern amenities, understated elegance, and a respectful nod to Mother Nature and the past.
After the owners decided to restore the historic property, they enlisted a Boston-based interior design firm with family ties to expertly preserve the integrity of the estate while modernizing spaces with contemporary conveniences, engendering a rustic elegance. The sprawling estate’s accommodations include eight Manor House rooms and 15 Guest House rooms, featuring wood-burning and gas fireplaces, freestanding soaking tubs, and heated radiant flooring, and plush bedding for deeply restful nights.
The culinary experiences on the premises represent casual fine dining, with offerings of local cheeses and wine and thoughtfully crafted small plates, like charred octopus with an unexpected wasabi aioli, and tuna crudo. Decadent meals, which change seasonally, can include duck prepared two ways, accompanied by buttery fingerling potatoes, and sweet treats like a flourless chocolate torte and airy cloud cake, all of which can be enjoyed on the patio overlooking the expansive property. Herbs, veggies, and edible flowers grown in the on-site garden embellish culinary creations and craft cocktails, like the popular-for-a-reason Thyme After Thyme gin libation.
For an active stay, join the legions of fitness-minded locals for a bike ride or stroll into town (on the way, stop at fashion boutique Well Heeled for oversized cashmere sweaters and classic accessories); cool off in the property’s pool or sparkling pond; or pay a visit to the Nordic Center on-site, followed by a cross-country ski.
A charming and well-appointed escape, complete with intentional personal touches, Edson Hill is the ideal destination for a cozy, romantic getaway year-round or for a majestic yet intimate wedding. Seasonal rates from $450.
– Gina Valentino