This category is a bit difficult for me, since I live here. I’ve never had to stay in a hotel, motel or B&B in Burlington. But I do know what gets good word-of-mouth, so I’ll go with that. Just because you don’t see a hotel, motel or B&B on this list doesn’t mean it’s no good. Because Chittenden County is fairly condensed, I’ve also included lodging that is not technically in Burlington, but is just a few miles outside of it.
The Lang House: Located on Main Street in Burlington, this is a beautiful B&B within easy walking distance of many activities in downtown Burlington, the Waterfront, and the UVM and Champlain College campuses. It’s on the airport bus line. Room rates are reasonable for the quality of accommodations. All rooms have private baths. Business travelers stay here, so you should not feel in the least out of place as a solo, particularly during the week.
Willard Street Inn: Located in the Hill section of Burlington, this lovely 125 year-old Victorian Inn is within walking distance of the colleges, the lake, and Church Street. It has off-street parking. The Willard Street Inn welcomes solo travelers on a regular basis. About 2/3 of their solos are business travelers, and 1/3 are vacationers drawn to the Inn for its “grace and grandeur with the warmest hospitality”, as their brochures read. They only allow children age 12 and older, which is wonderful if you’re looking for a getaway without tots under foot. The staff is friendly and welcoming and enjoy getting to know their guests. They are very accommodating to guest’s individual needs, and repeat visitors are on a first-name basis with the staff. Solos should enjoy relaxing over a cup of tea or coffee by the fire in the solarium or living room, or sitting in an Adirondack chair in the garden, depending on the season. There are also cozy nooks throughout the property where one can curl up with a good book or log on to free wireless internet to stay in touch with friends and family back home. For dining, there are several two-top tables as well as a selection of newspapers, magazines,and books to keep you occupied. But who knows? You might just make friends with some of the other guests and join them for breakfast. It’s that kind of place. Prices range from $135-250 per night. For more information, see their website.
Marriott Courtyard Burlington Harbor: This hotel is so brand-spanking new, it’s still got that new hotel smell. Mmm. This Marriott has a great location in downtown Burlington overlooking the waterfront and Lake Champlain. It is very pricey, but understandably so. It’s also a smoke-free hotel. There are a lounge and cafe on-site (and the lounge sometimes hosts live music), but it’s also within easy walking distance of dozens of great downtown Burlington restaurants, as well as entertainment options.
The Inn at Essex: This place gets great reviews. I have been on site (though not in the hotel rooms), and the buildings and grounds are gorgeous. It’s got pretty much everything you could want, including 2 dining options (Butler’s Restaurant and The Tavern) featuring food prepared by the New England Culinary Institute. There’s a heated pool, in-room massage services, tennis courts, fly fishing pond, and nearby golf courses. They just announced plans to build a $6M, 22,000 square-foot spa that will have a 25-yard indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and the other usual amenities of a spa. It’s seven miles from downtown Burlington in Essex Junction, VT, so you would want a car if you stayed here. There is shopping and a movie theater nearby. The Inn has received the AAA Four Diamond Award. If I were visiting from out of town, I’d stay here.
The Hilton Burlington: This hotel has undergone so many transfers of ownership (it’s been a Radisson and a Wyndham, among others), it must have an identity crisis. But it’s got a great location on Battery Street overlooking Lake Champlain. Within walking distance of everything you’d want to do in downtown Burlington. You should feel perfectly comfortable here as a solo, as it does get a good number of business travelers. The on site cafe, Battery Street Grill, serves meals from 6:30am to 10pm. There is also a lounge on site.
Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center: Easily accessible from the Interstate, this hotel is also convenient to UVM, Dorset Street and Williston Road. It is on the University Mall/Airport bus line, which will take you into downtown Burlington as well. G’s Restaurant and Tuckaways Pub provide food and libations in a four-story tropical atrium area. Again, you should feel perfectly comfortable here as a solo, with all the business travelers who come through.
The Doubletree Burlington: This Doubletree is located on Williston Road in South Burlington, very convenient to the airport and I-89, the University Mall, and about two miles from downtown Burlington. On site is a very good restaurant (especially for breakfast!), Trader Duke’s. If you prefer a suite to just a hotel room, and want the convenience of a microwave and refrigerator in your room, it can be a good option. The Doubletree is on the Williston bus line and just around the corner from the University Mall/Airport bus line.
Hawthorne Suites Burlington: Located on Dorset Street, not far from the University Mall and right on the bus line, this long-term stay hotel offers a full kitchen in its suites, an indoor pool, and a complimentary breakfast in the lobby. Just up the road are several good restaurants (Outback Steakhouse, Applebees, the Windjammer, Trader Dukes). The health food store, Healthy Living, is within easy walking distance and offers a healthy buffet on site.
Courtyard by Marriott Williston: What can I say? It’s a Courtyard by Marriott. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. It’s located in Williston, close to many big box stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Bed Bath and Beyond, as well as restaurants like the Longhorn Steakhouse and Chilis. Just down the road at Maple Tree Place is the Majestic movie theater and more shopping and dining options. It’s very convenient to I-89. You most definitely would need a car here.
