LR
Travel Report
Stowe for All Seasons Top Notch Resort & Spa
T
hough Stowe, Vermont – a mere two hours from Montreal – might be most famous as a ski resort town, there are lots of good reasons to visit any time of year. Fall has spectacular foliage that even rivals our own, while in summer it becomes a music and arts festival city, featuring the famous Von Trapp Family Concerts in the Meadow series. In spring, it's all about male syrup, and in winter – well, that's the time for skiing and snowboarding. But even if you don't do winter sports (like myself, since I can't stand the cold), Stowe is still a great winter escape if you stay at Top Notch Resort. Cozy into a luxurious log cabin duplex with fireplaces and hot tubs, and enjoy the warm, adult-only pool and outdoor whirlpool looking out onto Mt. Mansfield. Or enjoy the large glassed-in pool with a waterfall whirlpool. Dine at their trendy new resto called Flannel, and unwind at The Roost, their lively bar with an outdoor fire pit. Or if you're seeking to be active indoors, they have a state-of-the-art fitness centre, daily classes, and even personal trainers.
They also have indoor tennis courts, and their equestrian centre offers winter sleigh rides. Whatever you do, visit their spa, because The Spa at Top Notch is just that – top notch! Touted as one of the top ten spas in the country, it's a fair claim. With over 30 treatment rooms staffed by a huge team of highly talented and well-trained therapists, and using signature products like maple sugar scrubs, you can't go wrong there. Especially popular is their lover's parlour – an intimate room for two, complete with a settee in front of a fireplace and twin spa beds for a couples massage. Many marriage proposals have been accepted there, I’m told. My favourite thing at this spa was the Barefoot Massage, where the therapists massage your whole body with their feet while suspended from bars on the ceiling. Heavenly! So whether you're fond of the slopes or not, there's no bad time to visit Stowe if you know where to stay. Visit: www.gostowe.com and www.topnotchresort.com SUSAN CAMPBELL
xx LuxuryReportMagazine.com