A number of renovations freshened things up over the years but the latest $15 million overhaul in 2014 transformed all 68 guest rooms while common areas and the 2 onsite dining venues were reconstructed from the ground up.ĭespite this transformation, Topnotch magically retains its auberge charm while exuding the quiet sophistication of a luxury resort. Tucked into a wooded 120 acres overlooking Mount Mansfield’s distinctive notch that gives Smugglers Notch ski area its namesake, Topnotch Resort first opened in 1959 as a family-owned inn with a small lounge and 24-seat restaurant primarily catering to skiers. In town, The Alchemist and Idletyme Brewing Company are good starting points on your quest for top rated local suds.Ībove Mountain Road (Route 108) just north of Stowe, AAA Four-Diamond Topnotch Resort is your ideal base camp for exploring it all or escaping the outside world entirely. Can’t miss eateries like Piecasso and The Bench are interspersed with a panoply of area breweries. Beyond its renown as “ski capital of the east” surrounded by wide open meadows and working farms nestled among rolling mountains that rise up in every direction, this region is the epicenter of VT craft food producers ranging from household names like Cabot and Ben & Jerry’s to local favorites like Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea. I would not go back.Vermont’s Stowe region embodies what comes to mind when envisioning a quintessential Green Mountain getaway. This must mean there really are no good spas in Vermont sadly. I am completely shocked that it gets touted as best spa in Vermont.

All in all, it’s just a very average spa. Some of the showers have almost no water pressure so if you have long hair it will take you half an hour to wash your hair. The women’s Jacuzzi has almost no pressure in the jets, so it’s sort of useless. The only massage that was good was the shiatsu. I also got a signature massage and this was just very very average not great. Just didn’t feel like real Lomi Lomi massage. And I’ve had this type of massage in Hawaii before and it was wonderful while I was in Hawaii. It was the most uncomfortable massage I’ve ever had. And then another part of my body I would say: “Ouch! That hurt!” and she would barely respond. I told the masseuse I had a thumb injury and not to touch it but she ended up yanking my thumb and causing tremendous pain. Two out of three of the massages were pretty terrible! The Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage actually hurt me several times. I stayed At Topnotch resort and got three massages while I was there. I would have been fine with this if it was mentioned ANYWHERE that this was going to be going on today. Then, she went over to the pool to conduct a water aerobics class for the next hour which essentially closed the pool. I then saw a lady come over to the hot tub and ask the person in there if she could turn off the waterfall because it was too loud. While taking a break sitting on one of the lounge chairs it started to get crowded. Next, while my wife was getting her treatments I swam in the pool (we were staying at the resort). I will admit I missed the fine print at the bottom of the Spa menu stating this, and might have looked elsewhere if I did see it. When the Spa 'for your convenience' adds 22% to your bill for a gratuity before you start anything rubs me the wrong way.

First, a gratuity is given for a job well done not for doing your job. My wife had two Spa treatments during the day and was extremely happy with the treatments and the people who gave them, that's the good part.

Topnotch resort and spa in stowe