Burlington hotels

What sold me on Hotel Vermont is the fact that it’s independently owned and operated. To me, that means the experience will be authentic and that you’ll be treated like family, two things I love in a hotel stay.

In addition to providing that hard-to-find local feel, this unique hotel in Burlington is in a prime position. It’s set in the heart of the city, between the waterfront and the Church Street Marketplace. What’s more, you can park your car and leave it here for the duration of your stay, another major bonus in my books.

The rooms at Hotel Vermont are airy and welcoming, each featuring natural materials like hardwood headboards and stone showers. Before you hit the hay, check out the hotel’s bedtime menu, which includes things like hot toddies, milk and cookies and aromatherapy.

I’m a sucker for inns and guesthouses, and this cozy property in Burlington’s Hill Section had me sold in minutes. It’s located in a Queen Anne design home from 1887. The house is part of Burlington’s Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a night spent at the 254 South Union Street Guest House allows you to be part of the property’s story.

One of the best hotels in Burlington, the cozy space is within walking distance of all the city’s main sights, from Church Street to Champlain College.

Each of the four guest rooms has a private bathroom, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. My favourite perk is the free in-room breakfast of local organic yogurt and granola, along with snacks like cheese, crackers and cereal bars.

This boutique hotel in Burlington has worked hard to replicate the charm of a Vermont country inn. It has spacious rooms – some with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs – and a full daily breakfast with items like maple sausage, fruit-filled pancakes and Vermont-style quiche.

But the most unique perk is the Fireside Reception Tuesday through Thursday, an evening welcome party that allows guests to mingle over hors d'oeuvres, craft beers and wines.

Amenities like this make the hotel feel like a community hub – as does its welcoming pet policy and long-stay option. For the latter, some suites feature fully-equipped kitchens and spacious living rooms. The hotel’s also set in a prime location in South Burlington, just a 15-minute drive from Church Street.

Staying in the heart of Burlington can be fun, but when you need an escape from city life, there’s no place like The Essex. The property sits on 7.2 hectares between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain and boasts a spa, two pools, tennis courts and three eateries – a golf course is also adjacent to the property. The amenities alone make this one of the best hotels in Burlington.

And while you may never want (or need) to leave, Burlington’s Church Street is less than 30 minutes away by car from the resort, which is located in the town of Essex.

My favourite feature of The Essex is the hotel’s cooking classes. There you can learn to make New England favourites like clam chowder and Boston cream pie, along with world foods like Moroccan tagines and churros. That foodie focus is reflected in The Essex’s rooms, which feature culinary-inspired décor.

The Courtyard Marriott is hands down one of the best hotels in Burlington for location. Set squarely in Burlington city centre, it overlooks Lake Champlain and is a short walk from Waterfront Park. That means the city’s best food, bars and entertainment are just minutes from the hotel.

The rooms are all stately and modern, but I recommend asking about their “VIEW rooms,” which showcase stellar views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. There’s also free Wi-Fi at the Courtyard and pets are welcome.

The on-site Bleu Northeast Kitchen serves breakfast and dinner, along with a weekend brunch. And when you’re craving a sweet treat, you need only walk down the street to find a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop (or drive 30 minutes to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury).

I told you I was a sucker for a cozy Vermont inn, so for me, this homey family-run property is a shoo-in for any list of the best hotels in Burlington. (However, I should note, it’s located just outside Burlington in the tiny town of Williston.)

The inn is a perfect choice for those who want to be close to Burlington city centre (25 minutes by car) and near the mountains (Smugglers' Notch Resort is 40 minutes by car), without being right in the thick of things. And the property itself is as cozy as it gets, with country-style rooms outfitted with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The more rural location of Williston makes the Williston Village Inn a true getaway, with quiet nights and serene mornings. Plus, the property couldn’t be more picturesque, with a large sprawling deck and lush foliage.

If you’re visiting Burlington to ski, I recommend staying near Interstate 89, which winds its way toward ski areas like Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch. The Homewood Suites is perched next to the Vermont thoroughfare, providing easy access to nearby ski areas, neighbouring towns and Burlington city centre, which is just 10 minutes from the hotel by car.

The Burlington offers travellers a range of perks that make any trip easier and more enjoyable. There’s free on-site parking (a feature that’s hard to find in Burlington), an airport shuttle and a free hot breakfast.

The staff go out of their way to make guests feel at home, with amenities like a Wednesday welcome party and pet-friendly rooms. There’s also an indoor pool.

The iconic Church Street Marketplace is less than a block from the Hilton Garden Inn, which boasts an excellent location in Burlington city centre. Travellers can reach the Lake Champlain waterfront in a matter of minutes and there are lake views from the property.

While staying at the Hilton Garden Inn I highly recommend spending an evening at the Vermont Comedy Club, which is right next door. The locally-owned venue features stand-up, sketch and improv comedy.

Location aside, I picked this property because it has all the essentials that make a hotel stay comfortable – including an on-site restaurant and bar, a fitness centre, a heated indoor pool and free Wi-Fi. There’s also an airport shuttle and a cooked-to-order breakfast (for an additional charge).

It may be technically located in the neighbouring town of Colchester, but this Residence Inn is just 15 minutes from Burlington city centre. Plus, it’s out-of-town location is one of the factors guests love about it – it’s quiet yet central, boasting larger rooms than most central Burlington properties.

I chose this property because it has great freebies like a daily hot breakfast and free parking, and some larger suites have extra perks like kitchens, multiple bedrooms and fireplaces. It’s the perfect place to snuggle up during a Vermont winter.

Part of what makes this property one of the best hotels in Burlington is its prime location. This DoubleTree is set between a 65-acre nature preserve, which is crisscrossed with hiking trails, and Interstate 89, which makes exploring Vermont, accessing Burlington and skiing in the Green Mountains super easy.

The rooms at the DoubleTree are inviting, clean and straightforward, with amenities like free Wi-Fi and Keurig coffee machines. Plus, there are plenty of hotel perks. I love the fact that this DoubleTree has a free daily breakfast and complimentary on-site parking. There’s also a free local shuttle that makes it easy to explore nearby spots and airy window-lined public spaces with high ceilings.

And don’t forget the biggest perk of all (at least in my opinion): warm chocolate chip cookies on arrival.