Summary
Our family winter stay at the elegant Hermitage Inn in West Dover, Vermont.
We’re not a fancy family. We don’t wear super expensive gear or look particularly put together after skiing all day. However, we do appreciate high-end lodging and love to kick it up a notch sometimes when we travel. If you’re looking for an elegant, cozy, and memorable family stay in southern Vermont, The Hermitage Inn is it.
Located in West Dover, Hermitage Inn is closest to the private ski area, The Hermitage Club. (Read all about that, here!) But it’s also a five-minute drive from the popular Epic pass resort, Mount Snow. Stratton, Bromley and Magic are all about 40-45 minutes from the Inn.
On our way to the Inn in 2024, we crossed one of Vermont’s iconic covered bridges before we came upon the beautiful refurbished Inn, originally built in the 1800’s. The Inn building itself has a collection of historic rooms with a farmhouse-style appeal, and is home to The Tavern and Birches Dining Room. (More on the amazing food later.) Next door is the quiet Coldbrook cottage. Coldbrook is connected to reception, the cozy Brookside Den, the wine shop, and the hot tub.
Luxurious, Cozy Rooms
Our accommodations consisted of two rooms on the top floor of Coldbrook. Both boasted their own fireplaces and bathrooms, and they could be closed off to the bottom floor with a door at the top of the stairs. This allowed us to let the kids sleep in their own room with two queen beds, while we enjoyed a plush king and seating area in the parent’s room. The rooms, as expected, were gorgeous and cozy, with views of the brook below and all the amenities you could need, such as the thoughtful addition of a sound machine.
This set-up was perfect for traveling parents who also wanted some R&R for themselves. A roaring fireplace, bottle of wine, faux fur rug underfoot and a good book after skiing all day was just what the doctor ordered. The kids also were thrilled to have their own room and like all kids, couldn’t resist a little jumping on the bed before settling into the cozy covers.
Delicious Dining
The Tavern was a lively spot when we entered it on our first night. Filled to the brim with both visitors and locals, it’s clearly a special place for people in the Deerfield Valley. A recent recipient of the Wine Spectator Best of Award for Excellence, the Tavern boasts an incredible wine selection along with an inventive list of cocktails for parents who imbibe. The menu has classics like French onion soup and truffle fries to apres-ski delights like raclette and an extensive raw bar menu.
The Inn does an incredible job of blending local fare and haute cuisine. We experienced breakfast and dinner in the Tavern and were treated to food both familiar and elevated. Eggs benedict in the morning, venison bolognese in the evening – all of it a delight. And being family-friendly, they have a kids’ menu with no-fuss options like buttered noodles, chicken fingers and grilled cheese. For dessert, iron skillet cookies are on both the adult and kids’ menus for good reason.
Hanging at the Inn
While skiing and riding might be the main course for most visiting the Inn in the winter, there is still plenty to do on-site. Snowshoeing, ice skating, and archery are just beyond the terrace at the activity center. A fitness center and spa are available for parents in need of additional exercise or relaxation. And of course, walking trails on the Inn property offer pretty winter views of the Green Mountains.
Inside, the Brookside Den is a great place to play games with the family, watch a movie, or simply cozy up to yet another fireplace. Bookshelves offer reading material, a chess table is ready for a game, and cozy chairs and nooks are available for chilling.
Stylish Digs
While not always a must for a family retreat, I’d be remiss to not comment on the beauty of the Inn. As a lover of art, I was treated to delightful design and details everywhere I looked. The Hermitage Inn is a feast for the eyes.
The understated yet stylishly appointed rooms are one thing, but the Inn interior also boasts gorgeous wallpapers and murals. The Tavern bar is worth visiting just for the light fixtures and unique bar stools. My husband and I were even taken with the bathrooms, grabbing photos of the tile to inspire our own projects.
Whether coming for the elegance of the Inn or the cozy location, Hermitage Inn does not disappoint. To find out more visit: www.thehermitageinnvermont.com.
Sarah Wojcik is the founder of All Mountains Mamas, starting it in 2012. Becoming a mother in 2017, she grasped the opportunity to share her passion of skiing and snowboarding with families across the U.S. and came on as a contributor and manager. Formerly the Director or Marketing and Communications for Ski Vermont, and currently the creative editor and digital partnership director at Ski Area Management magazine, she writes with great knowledge of the ski industry in Vermont and beyond, and from the point of view of a new mother working to get back out on the slopes with two kids in tow. She is also the proud owner of Vermont’s #1 family fun resource, FindandGoSeek.net.