Twin Farms
Why: Countryside idyll on 300 acres that is incomparable on the East Coast (as a combination) in property, style, 'luxe-ness', food and wine
In-the-know: Kids are not permitted other than certain weeks throughout the year. While Summer is lovely, Autumn and Winter are my preferred seasons to enjoy the cosy and sporty here. Biking routes are memorably stunning.
Top Tips: Barn Cottage and Treehouse are the most expensive of their house options, but if palatable to your budget...worth it! Truly stunning. Meadow Cottage is my personal favorite for any season -- ultra romantic and spoiling.
A good source says: "Throughout the property, there's a marvelous sense of laid-back luxury." Indagare.com, August 2007
Be Aware: Not the easiest place to get to, so three nights+ better than two; Summer can be very hot, stickey, buggy; it is an incredibly expensive affair by worldwide standards.
Where: Twin Farms, P.O. Box 115, Barnard, Vermont 05031
+1 802 234 9999 | www.twinfarms.com
City life often just gets too much. Twin Farms is an escape to the countryside for in-the-know Bostonians and New Yorkers. Now you know too ... And oh! what countryside. Situated in over 300 acres of wildflower meadows, hardwood forests, ancient gardens and private ponds in Barnard, Vermont. True outdoorsy luxury.
10 guest suites are situated in the main house (a converted farmhouse from 1795), lodge and Farmhouse at Copper Hill and ten free-standing guest cottages (basically very large 1-2 bedroom homes each in their own style) are dotted throughout the grounds - with tons of privacy. The style is fairly 'New England' on the outside, but inside - be prepared for a surprise. Anything from traditional in Maple at Copper Hill and wooden styling in Adirondack-esq Treehouse Cottage, to Moroccan-inspired Meadow Cottage or bold and bright Dorothy's Room in the Main House. Take a look at the website and choose your favorite...(priced in different bands)
As you might expect: activities galore. Canoeing, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides - or just picnicking in the nature that surrounds you. Idyllic. Their on-staff Activities Director named Brenda is a storehouse of info and one of the most helpful and knowledgeable of staff I've ever encountered. Do make time for the "Into the Woods" spa - provides plenty of relaxing treatments in a cocoon of ambiance. Highly acclaimed and for good reason is the Twin Farms kitchen. The freshest local ingredients, many grown on property, we found every single thing they served was A+ - could simply not have been better. There is no menu at dinner, the chef creates a meal but will tailor to your likes/ food allergies etc on request. The amount of home-ade goodness that comes out of that kitchen is mind-boggling and appreciated dearly by the guests.
If I had 20 key execs/ employees for a bonding and company building offsite (with the budget to allow me to stay here) I'd take over Twin Farms for 4-5 days. If you run a company -- worth contacting their GM to inquire.
From $1000 daily and up -- food, wine and activities except for the Spa all inclusive.
And Barnard isn't that hard to get to, either. It isn't exactly right off the highway, but it isn't far. As someone who lives in the area, I wouldn't recommend this place just because of the price tag. I know it's a spa and I'm sure it has a lot of extras, but there are really nice places to stay in/around Woodstock and Quechee that won't break the bank.