If you’re a hotel lover like I am, then Twin Farms in Barnard Vermont, is probably on your travel wish list. We made a trip to visit this all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux property in early January for my birthday and it was a magical snowy weekend that completely exceeded my expectations! From the gorgeous grounds and plethora of on-site activities to the impeccable service and delicious food & beverage, if you’re considering a trip, you will not be disappointed. Yes, Twin Farms is a splurge, but it’s truly an experience and we can’t wait to go back to enjoy the beauty of the property during a different season. It would be equally gorgeous during the summer and fall!
We stayed in the Perch cabin, which was adorned with soothing green hues and the most extraordinary oversized copper tub. While there are some guest rooms that are located in the property’s main house, we opted for a standalone cabin for more privacy and extra space. Since it was the winter and very cold, we knew that we’d be spending a good amount of time in the room and didn’t want to feel crowded. Perch was centrally located to the main house as well as the Japanese furo (an indoor sauna-pool experience). The cabin was so cozy and fully stocked with good wine, snacks, and a wood burning fireplace, which they will come out to light and have burning for when you get back to the room.
During the days, we explored the expansive grounds enjoying plenty of snowy hikes, sledding, and ice skating. There is a scavenger hunt throughout the property where you follow clues to locate little mailboxes hidden in the woods. If you find all of the locations before you check-out, you get a special prize. Naturally, we made it our mission to complete the quest and we succeeded.
We love Stave puzzles and Twin Farms has so many to choose from! If you haven’t done one before, these handmade wooden puzzles are so challenging and addicting. We first discovered them on our trip to Triple Creek Ranch and have been hooked on them since then. There are so many nooks and crannies in the main house where you can sit back and relax and we loved enjoying each one!
One of our favorite things about lunch at Twin Farms is that you could have it as a picnic…yes, even in the dead of winter! The team will package up your lunch selections alongside all the fixings, including a bottle of wine, and set up a private picnic inside one of their heated areas. One day we hiked through the forest and had lunch in the coziest little tent, and on another day, we headed up to the top of the mountain and enjoyed lunch with a view in a ski chalet.
Evenings at Twin Farms began with canapés and cocktails at the main house. The spicy margaritas that the bartender made were some of the best I’ve ever had (tip: he says he uses jalapeño-infused simple syrup for the perfect amount of kick!). We loved enjoying cocktail hour in different parts of the hotel each night, sometimes with a puzzle in tow…I told you, addicting!
Dinner is on another level. Each evening there is a surprise tasting menu with wine pairings, which are chosen by the sommelier who visits each table to share the details on the selection. I will say that in order to fully embrace Twin Farms, you have to be pretty open to different foods. We eat any and everything and loved being surprised, but this might be daunting for pickier eaters. The staff is so accommodating that I’m sure they could make alternate dishes for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Also, if you like to drink, there is no shortage of cocktails or wine throughout your stay.
At Twin Farms it really feels like “your wish is my command”. The service is top notch yet not overbearing, so when you want something, you do need to request it and they will happily oblige. A fun example of this is that one night we requested for the tub in our room to be filled and waiting for us after dinner, alongside champagne and freshly baked cookies. It was pretty epic!
If you love food, wine, and outdoor activities, you will fall in love with Twin Farms. There’s a reason it is continuously awarded accolades as one of the top properties in the country and world! Accommodations are booked months, if not years in advance (especially during peak foliage season), and many guests return annually. While the price tag is steep, even despite it being all-inclusive, we would not hesitate to return…it really is special and would be ideal for a celebratory occasion.
Have you been to Twin Farms? I’d love to hear your experience!
The A-Lyst is a Boston-based lifestyle blog curating the very best of style, beauty, food, and travel.