Vermont is a great destination any time of the year, and so is the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in the quaint little village of Manchester. Bursting with things to do both in town and within the resort, it’s also a place where history comes alive.
“This entire area embraces its history,” says Rob Booth, the resort’s director of sales and marketing. “There are ties back to 1769 and the Revolutionary War. Our Marsh Tavern was the original meeting place for the Green Mountain Boys and Ethan Allen.” In case of enemies approaching, there’s even a secret escape tunnel in its Chophouse restaurant.
The main structures of the resort were built in the late 1800s, but of course, many upgrades have been made to the property since then. While the resort is modern and beautiful, that undeniable Vermont charm has been kept intact.
Some guests prefer to stay in the main resort, with its luxurious guest rooms and suites that have hosted United States presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt, whereas others prefer the smaller and cozier Orvis Inn. A completely restored 19th-century residence, it features a sitting room with a fireplace, shared library, and a porch and deck overlooking the village.
For dining, in addition to the two places mentioned above, there’s also the Dormy Grill located at the golf clubhouse and the Falcon Bar. The bar has comfortable lounge seating and a large fire pit that seats about 20 people around it. In warmer months, there’s live music every Friday and Saturday night. And all of this comes with a great view of Mount Equinox.
“Our chef, Joseph Stewart, is amazing,” says Rob. “We use a lot of local ingredients in our restaurants, and we partner with places like Hildene right down the street, which was the Lincoln family’s summer home. Unfortunately, Abraham never got to stay there, but Mary Todd Lincoln did. It’s now open to the public and you can actually see one of Abraham's hats on display there. But, it's a working farm as well, and they produce a lot of different cheeses and meats and things like that which we work into our menus. However, we also encourage our guests to eat at restaurants in town, because there are so many great ones.”
Guests also enjoy pampering themselves at the resort’s 14,000 square foot spa. Many of the treatments, which include facials and massages, incorporate seasonal elements found in the area. There’s a pool and fitness center too.
For those looking for outdoor fun, there’s plenty to do. “One of the main reasons people come to visit us is to get out and enjoy nature,” he says. “We're one of three resorts in the United States that have a partnership with Land Rover. They have an amazing driving school where our guests get to drive a brand new Land Rover on a course where the car is going sideways and up and down. It's a blast!”
Orvis also offers fly fishing, skeet shooting and other cool activities. “We also have a ton of hiking options in the area, including those on the Appalachian Trail, which is less than a 10 minute drive away.
“Of course, we also have an 18-hole golf course that I like to call one of the best kept secrets in Vermont. It’s just amazing.”
There's also a lot of activities for kids, and one of their favorites, says Rob, is Golden Hikes. “This is very unique to our property. We have our Chief Happiness Officer, Cooper, a 7-year-old golden retriever, who along with our general manager, Jay Sheldon, leads a great hike to Robin's Lookout, which has an awesome view.”
Book your stay today and get ready to experience an unforgettable trip.
EquinoxResort.com
“Of course, we also have an 18-hole golf course that I like to call one of the best kept secrets in Vermont. It’s just amazing.”