An Honest Review of Outbound Stowe, AKA the Chicest Little Lodge in Vermont

01 Nov 2024, 13:40 · Cosmopolitan

After a busy summer full of wedding planning and the hustle and bustle of everyday city life, my fiancé and I were craving a change of scenery. We needed mountains! Rivers! Chilly walks! We eventually landed on Outbound Stowe—a quaint hotel straight out of a small-town movie in Stowe, Vermont—for a quick staycation, and...OMG, I need to tell you about it.

In one short weekend, we taste-tested multiple maple syrups, walked along picturesque trails (meeting deer and beaver friends along the way!), participated in outdoor meditations, soaked in their luxe hot tub, and indulged in so many s’mores we're basically half marshmallow now. That's why I can confidently say that Outbound Stowe is the perfect home base for any outdoor adventure. I can also confidently say that you would be remiss not to plan a fall trip to the property with your own boo or besties. Read on for my full review, then do your best to make sure it actually makes it out of the group chat.

Rosemary Wojtkowski

THE QUICK HITS: OUTBOUND STOWE EDITION

Name: Outbound Stowe
Location: Stowe, Vermont
Cost Per Night: Starting at $269+
Best For: An easy-going outdoor adventure
While You’re Here, Visit: Ellison Estate Vineyard Tasting Room for local natural wines
One-Word Vibe Check: Cozy
Most Iconic Photo Spot: The lounge chairs next to the fire pits by the pool
Don’t Leave Without: Purchasing a bottle of Runamok maple syrup (try the salted caramel flavor!)

BOOK A STAY

THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As soon as we arrived at Outbound Stowe, I knew it was going to make for the perfect fall getaway. The vibes were cozy with a modern touch, starting with the chic lobby, which was decorated with forest-themed decor and had plenty of board games for guests to play while curled up by the fireplace (a dream). There was even a dog “working” the front desk, because, yes, this place is completely dog-friendly. (There was even a Polaroid camera handy for guests to snap pictures of their fur babies to add to the puppy photo display in the lobby!) The space couldn’t have felt more homey and welcoming, and the staff were all incredibly kind.

Christopher Delaney

THE ROOMS

My fiancé and I stayed in a two-story loft king suite for the two nights we were there. On the bottom floor, there was a roomy lounge area with a TV, a retro mini fridge, and a massive light hanging from the high wooden ceiling. The bathroom was clean, sleek, spacious, and had everything we needed. Upstairs, we found a (very comfortable) king-sized bed and a massive window with views of the lake—exactly what the doctor ordered.

Christopher Delaney

If you want more unique accommodations, there are also cabins and cottages on the property that take glamping to a whole new level. They're a great option if you're down to be one with nature in an “I still need a king-sized bed and fully-stocked bathroom” type of way, you know?

Rosemary Wojtkowski

THE AMENITIES

Outbound Stowe is basically a large campground for adults, so pretty much everything you could ever need is within walking distance, from food to entertainment. My fiancé and I typically found ourselves at the massive pool and hot tub, which are surrounded by lounge chairs, and the communal fire pits, which are *perfect* for making s’mores year-round. There are also plenty of outdoor games to challenge your friends to, like cornhole, and activities to participate in, like fishing in the warmer months, and ice skating when it gets below freezing.

You aren’t limited to staying on the property, either. We took off on an adventure along the Stowe Recreation Path (which we could see from our room!) one day, walking along West Branch Little River and enjoying Instagram-worthy mountain views. The hotel is also a hop, skip, and a jump away from downtown Stowe, which is very Gilmore Girls-esque. Highly recommend trekking over to Woodland Baking & Coffee for the most delicious cinnamon crumb cake you’ll ever have.

Rosemary Wojtkowski

Outbound Hotels

THE FOOD AND BEV

In addition to delish, locally roasted coffee in the lobby, Outbound Stowe has one on-property restaurant to satisfy your tastebuds, called Eastside Bar + Bites. This is the place to be if you are looking for craft cocktails, local beers, and yummy bites. You can eat inside the restaurant, or take your food to go and sit alongside the pool to enjoy the views.

Of course, nothing screams Vermont quite like maple syrup, so their maple-infused cocktails are a must-try. When in Vermont! The atmosphere at the restaurant is super laid-back—we loved taking our drinks to the outdoor patio and playing a game of cornhole while we sipped 'em (I lost every game, but we'll blame it on the booze). At night, once the sun goes down, the string lights turn on, the fireplaces heat up, and the cozy aura continues.

Rosemary Wojtkowski

Christopher Delaney

As I mentioned, the hotel is also a short walk from town, where you can find plenty of additional food options, plus wineries and breweries. I loved the Ellison Vineyard tasting room, where we got to taste natural Vermont wines, and the popular family-owned brewery The Alchemist, where you can sample some IPAs.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Outbound Stowe is the ideal getaway for people who just want to get outside. There’s something for everyone, whether you're keen to bike five miles for fun, spend the day shopping in town, or simply hang back in the hot tub with a sweet cocktail. Between all the different activities, the array of affordable room options, and how close it is to both downtown Stowe and the Burlington airport (just 40 minutes away!), I will definitely be returning.

Rosemary Wojtkowski

FYI: The writer received comped accommodations and meals during this getaway.

Rosemary WojtkowskiAssociate Editor - Emerging Platforms

Rosemary is an Associate Editor on the Emerging Platforms team at Cosmopolitan. When she isn’t covering lifestyle stories or the latest pop culture news on the brand's Snapchat Discover channel, she can be found living her best life at the nearest Harry Styles concert, on the beach making TikToks, or curating the best Spotify playlists (go ahead and see for yourself, here).