The Essex Resort & Spa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up Essex Way – it’s one of those winding Vermont roads that makes you wonder if your GPS is having a breakdown. But The Essex Resort & Spa actually surprised me in the best way possible. The place sits on this sprawling property that feels more like a New England estate than your typical hotel, and honestly, that’s exactly what Burlington needed. You’re technically in Essex (about 10 minutes from downtown Burlington), which means you get that authentic Vermont vibe without the Lake Champlain tourist crowds breathing down your neck.

The whole setup here is pretty clever – they’ve got this culinary institute right on the property, so the food is legitimately good, not just “good for hotel food.” I mean, you can literally watch culinary students perfecting their craft, which sounds gimmicky but is actually kind of fascinating when you’re nursing your morning coffee. The spa part lives up to the name too, though I’d recommend booking treatments early because apparently half of Burlington has discovered this place. What really got me was how they’ve managed to feel upscale without being stuffy – the lobby has these massive windows that look out onto actual Vermont countryside, not a parking lot, and the staff knows the difference between being helpful and hovering.

Here’s the thing about staying here: you’re close enough to Church Street Marketplace and the waterfront that you can easily hit Burlington’s breweries and restaurants (and trust me, you should), but far enough out that you’re not dealing with college kids stumbling around at 2 AM. The rooms are solid – nothing revolutionary, but they’ve got that clean, comfortable thing down, and the beds are actually good, not just acceptable. Parking is free, which feels like a small miracle these days, and if you’re here in fall, well… Vermont in October is basically cheating at being beautiful. The 8.3 rating makes sense to me – it’s not perfect, and it’s definitely pricier than your average Vermont stay, but there’s something about the place that feels genuinely relaxing rather than just trying to look relaxing. If you’re doing the Vermont thing properly, with some hiking or leaf-peeping or brewery hopping planned, this makes a really solid home base that won’t leave you feeling like you compromised on comfort.