Staying at the Basin Harbor Inn
📍 Basin Harbor Inn, Vermont
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Whenever I travel, I find joy in discovering historic waterfront hotels and resorts. There is such an abundance in Florida, but I’ve yet to explore all that New England had to offer. Since we would be spending two weeks in Vermont to visit David’s family, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin. I can’t exactly pinpoint how or when the Basin Harbor Inn was placed on my radar, but it’s thanks to Sarah Patrick, Julia Harpe, and Kristy New England for it staying there. If you ever wondered what a Vermont rendition of the Gasparilla Inn would look like, here’s your answer! David and I had an anniversary mini-vacation here, and it has instantly become a family favorite!
The History
Originally opening as a resort in 1886, the Basin Harbor Inn is currently under the 5th generation of ownership with the Beach Family. They are incredibly hands-on, and you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one member of the family throughout the day. While you stay here, be sure to take advantage of one of the activities personally hosted by the hotel owners: a history talk, an apiary tour, campfire chats, the list goes on! The original owner was Ardelia Beach, the namesake of Ardelia’s Restaurant. After her fiancé died in the Civil War, she purchased 200 acres of land and built a lodge along Lake Champlain near her hometown of Vergennes, Vermont. Soon, she began inviting summer boarders, and as they say, the rest was history. Today, the resort has grown to 700 acres. I suspect some original families still visit each year.
The Location
The quiet town of Vergennes, Vermont, is located about 40 minutes south of Burlington, the state’s capital city. As you drive down Ethan Allen Highway, you’ll begin to get sneak peeks at the Adirondack Mountains and pass through the notable town of Shelburne. Keep driving! Because highway billboards are banned in Vermont, don’t expect any huge signage to guide your way. Instead, a small sign with the iconic Adirondack chair will point the way. As soon as you arrive, be sure to grab a chair and admire the views of Lake Champlain and New York State. Since most of my readers will probably need to fly, I recommend flying into Burlington Airport (BTV). It’s small, and you’ll most likely need to make a connection, but daily flights from the bigger airlines are available each day.
The Experiences
Envision the Basin Harbor has an over-scaled summer camp for adults. Nearly every outdoor activity imaginable is on the menu for your visit. Go for a hike, rent a boat, or spend the afternoon canoeing. More typical leisurely pursuits are also available, including golfing, tennis, and croquet. After your full day of adventure, don’t forget to schedule some downtown at the pool or lake. With so much on the agenda, you’re sure to have a good night’s sleep in one of the 74 cottages or four styles of guest rooms. Each venue has its own personal style, from nautical to rustic, and is the perfect destination to lay your head for the night.
The Dining
Always important to know, the Basin Harbor Inn offers several different dining options for whatever you’re craving! Since we were only there for one day, I sadly didn’t get a chance to sample each one. The ones I did dine at were all incredible! The most noteworthy would have to be Ardelia’s Dining Room for a romantic anniversary dinner. Their wine list is one of the most extensive in the state of Vermont, and the restaurant’s manager is well-versed in all of them. If you have the opportunity, try visiting the Basin Harbor for a North Dock Dinner experience. Hosted three times a week, you can dine directly on the lake for one of three regional options: Vermont Picnic, Shore Dinner, or Lakeside Cookout. Don’t forget to save room for dessert by grabbing a Vermont-style maple creemee from the Harbor Store.
Caught somewhere between a Kiel James Patrick photoshoot and Wes Anderson movie set, it’s safe that I fell in love with all that the Basin Harbor Inn had to offer. If you ever find yourself in this semi-remote corner of Vermont, I highly recommend booking a stay for one night, one week, or even one summer!
Love from Vermont,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.