Startle

Twin Farms doesn’t have a traditional pool, but it does offer two swimming options that are more fun than some concrete, water-filled rectangle. Copper Pond is just a short stroll from the main house; this spring-fed pond is at the foot of the hill where the Farmhouse accommodation sits. It’s open to all guests, and you’ll find it full of convenient amenities: lounge chairs, a shaded area, picnic tables, sunscreen, cold beverages and, of course, the option to have lunch served “pond side.” Twin Farms stocks the pond with rainbow trout, too; so you can even take advantage of the fly-fishing equipment on hand, and a small wooden fishing pier makes for a perfect spot to run and jump into the crisp, clear water.

Alternatively, you can take the short drive (the hotel can provide transfers if you don’t have your own car) or bike ride into Barnard Village and access the Five-Star hotel’s private beach to take a dip in Silver Lake. A small, sandy beach and a grassy area make this a great spot to spend some time enjoying those warm summer days, far from the worries of your regular life. Isn’t that why you’re coming to Twin Farms, after all?

The gym at Twin Farms is open 24 hours a day, so you’ll be able to get in a workout whenever you have spare time. During the daytime hours, you will find that the staff opens the facility early, but the gym is locked up once the night shift takes over. However, even when the gym is locked, you can still gain entry and burn some calories since a key to the door is provided on your guestroom keychain. So if you want a quick run on the treadmill at 4 a.m. to make room for some of the dining room’s mouth-watering soufflé pancakes at breakfast, you can lace up and go.

Dining at Twin Farms’ restaurant is a unique experience that is at the very essence of the Five-Star hotel. There is only one restaurant and it doesn’t have any menus. While this may seem constrictive to some, the meals here are a show in and of themselves. If, like us, you love food and wine, you will be happy to leave the dining decisions up to executive chef Ted Ask and wine manager Eric Reichenbach. However, the hotel will go out of its way to accommodate any special requests, likes and dislikes. In fact, prior to arrival, you will be sent paperwork where you can outline any such dietary requirements.

The main dining room is a spacious, well-lit area off of the Barn Room, where you will enter. The dining room is center stage for your breakfast, lunch and dinner, though in summer, lunch locations may vary and the use of the outdoor terrace is common. The two-story dining room is anchored by a beautiful floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; when it lights up at night, the fireplace adds drama to the space and makes you wonder if this is the same room you had breakfast in that morning. Tables are decorated differently at each meal. You may find a small display of miniature topiary trees at breakfast, while delicate hand-blown glass votives speckled with multi-colored jewel tones add interest to the table at dinner. You will get your own table, though if you meet new friends, you may opt to dine with others.

The only other alternate dining location at the luxury hotel is the Wine Cellar. Home to an impressive collection of 25,000 bottles, this private dining room can accommodate a dinner for up to six people. Meals will definitely be one of the highlights of your stay at Twin Farms.

No guest to Twin Farms should be able to leave without trying the kitchen’s signature soufflé style pancakes for breakfast. To make the light-as-air flapjacks, the chef separates the yolk and the whites, beats the yolks first and then folds in the egg white. The batter is initially cooked on the griddle and then finished off in the oven so they rise like a soufflé, creating one of the fluffiest pancakes you will ever eat. The dining room will feature a special pancake of the day, perhaps lemon poppy seed, but we couldn’t get enough of the Barnard blueberry version served warm and straight from the oven. The thick blueberry compote was generously drizzled on top of a sugar-dusted pancake. You can request just one of the delicious pancakes, but it will be hard to turn down the sweet-smelling stack when it arrives at your table.

Since Twin Farms is a small hotel, there is not an ongoing, regular schedule of fitness classes. However, if you really need a class to get you moving, the recreation manager or his staff will be only to happy to arrange a yoga or fitness session for you. There is no dedicated studio space, so a yoga class will likely take place in one of the several nearby outdoor spots. You’ll be able to borrow stretch mats, balance balls and other yoga equipment in the gym. A personal trainer can also come and pump you up in the decent-sized gym. But for a more personalized option, opt to have a private yoga class in your room or cottage. The rooms at the Five-Star hotel are so big, you’ll easily be able to practice your poses with an instructor.

At Twin Farms’ spa and gym facility, you’ll see a small male and female locker room immediately as you walk in the front door. It is important to know that the lockers aren’t secured with a lock, so you will probably want to keep your valuables on you or stash them in your in-room safe before heading over to work out. There are doorless-style cubicles in each locker room with hooks to hold a small jacket or bag, but that’s about it as far as storage goes.

Inside the locker rooms, you’ll also find a steam room; this is usually kept turned off though, so allow 10 minutes for it to warm up if you want to soak up some steam. Of course, there’s also a restroom and shower to clean up post-workout. There are plenty of fresh towels, spa robes and sandals, which are all set out on a help-yourself basis. You won’t have to tote along your own toiletries, since the vanity is stocked with dozens of useful grooming aids, such as hair and shower products, a hair dryer and deodorant. You’ll be able to leave the locker room refreshed and ready to head to the restaurant for dinner.

Twin Farms doesn’t have a traditional pool, but it does offer two swimming options that are more fun than some concrete, water-filled rectangle. Copper Pond is just a short stroll from the main house; this spring-fed pond is at the foot of the hill where the Farmhouse accommodation sits. It’s open to all guests, and you’ll find it full of convenient amenities: lounge chairs, a shaded area, picnic tables, sunscreen, cold beverages and, of course, the option to have lunch served “pond side.” Twin Farms stocks the pond with rainbow trout, too; so you can even take advantage of the fly-fishing equipment on hand, and a small wooden fishing pier makes for a perfect spot to run and jump into the crisp, clear water.

Alternatively, you can take the short drive (the hotel can provide transfers if you don’t have your own car) or bike ride into Barnard Village and access the Five-Star hotel’s private beach to take a dip in Silver Lake. A small, sandy beach and a grassy area make this a great spot to spend some time enjoying those warm summer days, far from the worries of your regular life. Isn’t that why you’re coming to Twin Farms, after all?

Summing up any place as quaint and luxurious as Twin Farms in just five words can leave a lot of detail out. But we’ve whittled it down to these five words we think best describe the style of the Five-Star hotel:

1. Whimsical. You can’t help but notice the sense of whimsy in the details found at Twin Farms. For instance, we can’t help but ponder the wooden sculpture titled “Big Arm,” a muscular male forearm grasping a hammer that has been curiously positioned over the restroom stall in the Pub.

2. Relaxed luxury. Okay, so we know this is two words, but there are surprisingly no formalities at Twin Farms. You’re made to feel completely comfortable, without sacrificing life’s luxuries. Dining on poached Maine lobster and sipping on Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru at dinner while wearing khakis and a comfy shirt is about as formal as it gets at Twin Farms.

3. Rustic. Aside from the fact that a secluded setting deep in the Green Mountains can’t help but make you think, “rustic,” Twin Farms’ architects and designers carefully selected high-quality wood, stone and tiles to complement the natural surroundings when designing the hotel and its cottages.

4. Stunning. Twin Farms is without a doubt one of the prettiest small luxury hotels out there. In addition to that magical moment of your first glimpse of untouched snow in the winter, Twin Farms offers rolling meadows dotted with perennial flowers, a quaint covered bridge crossing over a lily pond with turtles and surrounded by lush ferns during the warmer months.

5. Relaxing. With a staff that magically appears that millisecond before you realize you need something, there’s truly no need to think ahead when you’re a guest at Twin Farms. This anticipatory yet unobtrusive service, coupled with sporadic cell phone service, allows you to completely relax and switch off from the outside world, if only for a short while.

When it’s shower time at Twin Farms, you’ll be able to lather up with a collection of quality, custom-designed bath products from Arcania. The toiletries are handcrafted in Somerset, England, and shipped exclusively to the Five-Star hotel. Arcania’s Out of the Woods products aptly use plant-based ingredients, and they all smell divine. In each bathroom, you will see a large wooden caddy that holds six full-sized pump dispenser bottles of body wash, bath gel and body oil, all offered in assorted scents. We love the grapefruit-infused body wash; it makes for an invigorating morning shower. Shampoo and conditioner will be placed in your shower, while lotion and soaps are conveniently located on your vanity top. There’s no need to worry if you forgot any of your other toiletry items, since rooms come stocked with a plethora of amenities to keep you well groomed and indulged, from shower caps and loofahs to candles that are set out tub-side. There’s even a yellow rubber ducky to show that whimsical side that Twin Farms is known for.

There are four accommodations that would be considered equivalent to standard hotel rooms at Twin Farms. That said, there is nothing standard about these rooms, which are actually large junior suites each with a king-sized bed, sitting area and dining space, as well as a bathroom that has a separate shower and tub, dual vanity and lots of space to unpack and make yourself feel at home. The four rooms reside in the main house, which dates back to 1795. On the first floor is Red’s Room, the original master bedroom named for Harry “Red” Sinclair Lewis, the first Nobel Prize winner in literature, who made this his country retreat, and the green-and-white toile-filled Guest Room. Then there is the Russian-inspired Dorothy’s Room — named after Dorothy Thompson, the “First Lady of American Journalism” and Lewis’ wife — on the second floor and the Americana-themed Washington Room decorated with pictures of artwork and other patriotic objects. In fact, each room is decorated in a style that reflects the name it is given and all have fireplaces. We particularly love the Washington Room because it is in one of the quietest parts in the main house. Even better, this room has two fireplaces, making it a perfect choice for a romantic winter getaway.

The rooms at Twin Farms are stuffed with all sorts of thoughtful, useful and sometimes just plain whimsical special amenities with no practical purpose other than to make you smile. The more standard amenities you will find in your guestroom include a fully stocked caffeine-making station with Kona coffee, Harney & Sons tea, an electric kettle, a French press and even peppermints. A mini-bar comes with juices, sodas and milk. However, you won’t find any self-service alcohol in there due to Vermont state law. If you want to imbibe, just ring down to guest services and some alcohol can be brought to your room.

In addition, each guest room is furnished with books about architecture, Vermont and the love of travel. There’s a Bose stereo and TV with satellite channels if reading is not your thing. If you stay in a cottage, you will get a flashlight for navigating through the woods to the main house for dinner. In the highly unlikely event you run out of something to do at Twin Farms, your room also has a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind Stave puzzle. If you can complete the wooden jigsaw puzzle, you get to keep it. It’s a fun souvenir from the unique Five-Star hotel.

Twin Farms differs from other Five-Star hotels by offering a delightful combination of rich history and rustic charm, all rolled up in carefully layered luxury. The hotel’s main building was originally a 1795 farmhouse and, over the years, has been home to noted writers, including Dorothy Thompson, the “First Lady of American Journalism.” You can even draw inspiration from Thompson, or simply pay homage to her, by staying in Dorothy’s Room in the main house.

While any stay at Twin Farms provides you with historical surroundings, it also offers a surprisingly full collection of art. The pieces belong to the founder and owner, Thurston Twigg-Smith, and can be found thoughtfully placed throughout the grounds, including in the guestrooms. Even if you don’t consider yourself a connoisseur of fine art, you won’t be able to help but be mesmerized by some of more curious pieces. Check out a chair by Rick Ladd, aptly titled “Chair,” that sits close to the pool table in the Pub. Take a closer look and you’ll discover it’s made entirely of beer bottle caps.

All things told, Twin Farms makes any getaway a one-of-a-kind experience, thanks to unparalleled luxury, quirky art and a history that’s present throughout the Five-Star hotel’s rooms.

There are no resort fees on top of the daily rates at Twin Farms, since all meals and activities are included in the price of accommodations. You can expect to pay Vermont state tax, and an 18 percent service charge to cover all gratuities is applied to your account. Any additional spa services will also be applied to your room account should you decide to get a massage, manicure or pedicure. But the all-inclusive nature of booking a room at Twin Farms means you won’t have to worry about running up a bill with hidden charges at the Five-Star hotel.

The cancellation policy at Twin Farms is typical of a small, luxury property where accommodations are by reservation only. The Five-Star hotel requires a deposit of $500 per room at the time of booking, and final payment is due in full 60 days prior to your arrival. If you find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of having to cancel, any deposit money paid will be fully refunded, except for a $200 per-room administration fee, provided you cancel more than 60 days prior to arrival.

For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to arrival, you’ll forfeit the entirety of your deposit and payment. In these circumstances, the hotel’s reservation office, led by Josh Hardy, will actively try to resell your room. In the event it does, your payments will be refunded, minus a $100 administration fee. Twin Farms thoughtfully suggests you purchase travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances and so you can recoup the costs if you have to cancel your stay at the Five-Star hotel.

For the average price at Twin Farms, rates are divided up into two seasons: peak and off-peak. During off-peak season, rates drop by $100 per night in all rooms and cottages, with the exception of the Farmhouse at Copper Hill (a four-bedroom house).

The best rates will be for the main house rooms, which are really more akin to junior suites, as all have living areas and spacious bathrooms. Here, rates start at $1,400 per night; if you want to get the true feeling of being the only one in the woods, reserve a private cottage, with prices starting at $2,100 per night. Expect to pay up to $3,100 for the chalet, the largest of all the cottages. You’ll get more than 3,000 square feet of glorious living space designed for just two people.

Want all 20 accommodations? You can buy out the whole Five-Star hotel for an intimate gathering of 40 of your best friends or colleagues for a cool $43,000 per night. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more original hotel experience anywhere.

Nightly Twin Farms rates are based on two adults sharing accommodations, and they include daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, all beverages, wine and unlimited use of all the recreation equipment you can pack into your schedule. When you book a stay at Twin Farms, you’ll get all the luxury you’d expect from a Five-Star hotel — and then some.

Twin Farms is located just outside the idyllic town of Barnard in the heart of the “Green Mountain State” of Vermont. Barnard sits surrounded by the beautiful clear waters of Silver Lake (where Twin Farms has its own private beach), a handful of essential stores and one of the most pastoral village greens you can hope to find.

The drive from Burlington International Airport to the Five-Star hotel lasts an easy 75 minutes; but more importantly, it affords you a scenic route through the Green Mountains. As you pass through Barnard and head up the gentle mountain slope, you’ll find the private gated entry to Twin Farms almost hidden from view among the trees, composed of a heavy metal gate and an ancient stone wall that encircles the luxury hotel. Though the hotel is well signposted from the main roads, ditch the GPS and stick to a good old-fashioned map to navigate the rural roads leading up to Twin Farms, if only to further enhance the bucolic experience.

There are four accommodations that would be considered equivalent to standard hotel rooms at Twin Farms. That said, there is nothing standard about these rooms, which are actually large junior suites each with a king-sized bed, sitting area and dining space, as well as a bathroom that has a separate shower and tub, dual vanity and lots of space to unpack and make yourself feel at home. The four rooms reside in the main house, which dates back to 1795. On the first floor is Red’s Room, the original master bedroom named for Harry “Red” Sinclair Lewis, the first Nobel Prize winner in literature, who made this his country retreat, and the green-and-white toile-filled Guest Room. Then there is the Russian-inspired Dorothy’s Room — named after Dorothy Thompson, the “First Lady of American Journalism” and Lewis’ wife — on the second floor and the Americana-themed Washington Room decorated with pictures of artwork and other patriotic objects. In fact, each room is decorated in a style that reflects the name it is given and all have fireplaces. We particularly love the Washington Room because it is in one of the quietest parts in the main house. Even better, this room has two fireplaces, making it a perfect choice for a romantic winter getaway.

When it’s shower time at Twin Farms, you’ll be able to lather up with a collection of quality, custom-designed bath products from Arcania. The toiletries are handcrafted in Somerset, England, and shipped exclusively to the Five-Star hotel. Arcania’s Out of the Woods products aptly use plant-based ingredients, and they all smell divine. In each bathroom, you will see a large wooden caddy that holds six full-sized pump dispenser bottles of body wash, bath gel and body oil, all offered in assorted scents. We love the grapefruit-infused body wash; it makes for an invigorating morning shower. Shampoo and conditioner will be placed in your shower, while lotion and soaps are conveniently located on your vanity top. There’s no need to worry if you forgot any of your other toiletry items, since rooms come stocked with a plethora of amenities to keep you well groomed and indulged, from shower caps and loofahs to candles that are set out tub-side. There’s even a yellow rubber ducky to show that whimsical side that Twin Farms is known for.

While we find it all too easy to say we love everything about Twin Farms, these are the five things we love most about the Five-Star hotel:

1. Location. When most of us city folk say we need a getaway, a location as idyllic as Twin Farms and the quaint, time-stood-still village of Barnard, Vt., comes to mind. If you’re looking for fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery and that get-away-from-it-all feeling, Twin Farms should be on your hotel bucket list.

2. The art collection. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine art or not, we think you’ll love the sophisticated and often whimsical art on display throughout the hotel. Gathered by the owner and founder of Twin Farms, Thurston Twigg-Smith, the collection is the fruit of his travels around the globe. With pieces brought back from as far away as Morocco and Italy, the artwork helps inspire the interior design in guestrooms and public spaces.

3. The grounds. It’s hard to take a bad picture when wandering the beautiful grounds at Twin Farms. Set upon acres of meadows, rolling hills and several miles of hiking trails, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more romantic location. The late Dan Kiley designed the grounds, which demonstrate his mastery of creating a landscape that looks natural, without a hint of formal design; you won’t find any “Keep off the grass” signs here. In the summer, thousands of purple lupines dot the meadows, and you can take the four-mile, two-hour hike up to Turtle Hill to catch a glimpse of all 300 breathtaking acres of the Twin Farms estate.

4. The interior design. Each room and public space has a name describing its most important characteristics. For example, the Treehouse cottage showcases elaborate Adirondack white birch twig work, while the Meadow overlooks a meadow with a jaw-dropping Moroccan theme, including a sunken bedroom area, terracotta tiling with rich jewel-toned accents and an amazing tented fabric ceiling.

5. The food. Though the rates at Twin Farms are all-inclusive, don’t think for one moment this means any expense is spared on the food and beverages. In fact, you can expect quite the opposite; crafted by executive chef Ted Ask and sous chef Peter Heaney, the contemporary American meals offer thoroughly enjoyable twists. For instance, pastry chef Christopher Wilson may create a Barnard blueberry crumble for lunch; nothing unusual about that, except perhaps, for a ginger beer float accompanying the dessert, garnished with an edible nasturtium flower freshly picked from the Twin Farms garden.

Twin Farms provides a house car; in fact, the hotel has a fleet of vehicles for different uses. Unassuming Toyota minivans comfortably transport you to and from the luxury hotel, and transfers won’t cost you a thing when you fly into Burlington International Airport in Vermont or Lebanon Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire.

You can also call the office while you’re at the Five-Star hotel to get rides in and around the hotel grounds. This service really helps out if you don’t rent or bring your own vehicle, since the walk through the woods after dinner can be tricky in the dark or in inclement weather. Though each room provides flashlights and umbrellas, you won’t have to rough it; a comfortable ride is just a phone call away. And when you stay at Twin Farms, you likely won’t want to leave the lush property; but should you wish to borrow a car for a short ride into a nearby town, you can do that, too.

For a small luxury hotel, Twin Farms has more amenities for its guests than many large-scale resorts you’d visit for a 10-day vacation. Here’s what we think are the five best amenities to take advantage of while you stay at the Five-Star hotel:

1. You might want lunch on the outdoor terrace in the warmer months, but a picnic is a must at Twin Farms during the summer. However, you’re not limited to just the warm weather; you can picnic in the winter — just wrap yourself up and replace the champagne on ice for mulled wine in a flask. We especially love the idea of having chef Ted Ask and his team fill up a basket so you can visit one of the grounds’ many scenic picnic areas. The picnic-basket goodies will be the same high-quality dishes served in the restaurant, such as grilled salmon, cheeses and fresh garden produce accompanied by a bottle of 2006 Chalone Vineyards Pinot Blanc. Inside the basket, you’ll also find china and hand-blown glass with crisp linen napkins. Try a hike to Ski Hill or stay closer to home and canoe onto the far side of Copper Pond for a breathtaking view as the perfect side to any picnic.

2. From hiking boots, socks, walking sticks, backpacks and even right down to the bug spray, the recreation manager and team will equip you with everything to enjoy the seven miles of hiking trails that cover the Vermont hotel’s grounds. If you’re looking for a low-key activity, head over to Copper Pond, where you’ll find a full complement of fly-fishing equipment, water floats, suntan lotion, towels and lounge chairs. In the winter, you’ll have everything from snowshoes to skis to make the most of the New England snow. The hotel cannot tune your skis, should you bring your own, but can certainly arrange for such services in the nearby town of Woodstock.

3. While Out of the Woods is not a full-service spa with expansive wet facilities, lockers and relaxation areas in one building, the services and experience you will find at the small spa make it a phenomenal amenity to have onsite. The treatment menu is limited but offers just the right combination of body, facial and salon services to cover all your beautifying needs.

4. Twin Farms has several Gary Fisher Napa series mountain bikes ready and standing by if the mood to cycle takes you. Even if you’re not an avid mountain biker, go for an easy downhill ride into Barnard Village to picnic by Silver Lake and the hotel’s own private beach area. Afterward, simply place a call to the hotel from the general store and the staff will come and pick you up — no arduous uphill biking required.

5. Though the original farmhouse that makes up most of Twin Farm’s main building dates back to 1795, the Barn Room was added on in later years. Enter through the cozy bar and keep going until you find the soaring, two-story Barn Room. A beautiful picture window overlooks the terrace and meadow at one end, while a small reading room is neatly tucked away at the opposite end at the top of a spiral staircase. Stuffed with books that have been collected, borrowed and exchanged over the years, the reading room is a perfect place to curl up and lose yourself in a good tome for a short while.

Twin Farms is located just outside the idyllic town of Barnard in the heart of the “Green Mountain State” of Vermont. Barnard sits surrounded by the beautiful clear waters of Silver Lake (where Twin Farms has its own private beach), a handful of essential stores and one of the most pastoral village greens you can hope to find.

The drive from Burlington International Airport to the Five-Star hotel lasts an easy 75 minutes; but more importantly, it affords you a scenic route through the Green Mountains. As you pass through Barnard and head up the gentle mountain slope, you’ll find the private gated entry to Twin Farms almost hidden from view among the trees, composed of a heavy metal gate and an ancient stone wall that encircles the luxury hotel. Though the hotel is well signposted from the main roads, ditch the GPS and stick to a good old-fashioned map to navigate the rural roads leading up to Twin Farms, if only to further enhance the bucolic experience.

Twin Farms differs from other Five-Star hotels by offering a delightful combination of rich history and rustic charm, all rolled up in carefully layered luxury. The hotel’s main building was originally a 1795 farmhouse and, over the years, has been home to noted writers, including Dorothy Thompson, the “First Lady of American Journalism.” You can even draw inspiration from Thompson, or simply pay homage to her, by staying in Dorothy’s Room in the main house.

While any stay at Twin Farms provides you with historical surroundings, it also offers a surprisingly full collection of art. The pieces belong to the founder and owner, Thurston Twigg-Smith, and can be found thoughtfully placed throughout the grounds, including in the guestrooms. Even if you don’t consider yourself a connoisseur of fine art, you won’t be able to help but be mesmerized by some of more curious pieces. Check out a chair by Rick Ladd, aptly titled “Chair,” that sits close to the pool table in the Pub. Take a closer look and you’ll discover it’s made entirely of beer bottle caps.

All things told, Twin Farms makes any getaway a one-of-a-kind experience, thanks to unparalleled luxury, quirky art and a history that’s present throughout the Five-Star hotel’s rooms.

Twin Farms provides a house car; in fact, the hotel has a fleet of vehicles for different uses. Unassuming Toyota minivans comfortably transport you to and from the luxury hotel, and transfers won’t cost you a thing when you fly into Burlington International Airport in Vermont or Lebanon Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire.

You can also call the office while you’re at the Five-Star hotel to get rides in and around the hotel grounds. This service really helps out if you don’t rent or bring your own vehicle, since the walk through the woods after dinner can be tricky in the dark or in inclement weather. Though each room provides flashlights and umbrellas, you won’t have to rough it; a comfortable ride is just a phone call away. And when you stay at Twin Farms, you likely won’t want to leave the lush property; but should you wish to borrow a car for a short ride into a nearby town, you can do that, too.

You’ll be able to fly into a few different airports to get to Twin Farms. The most accessible is Burlington International Airport, approximately 75 minutes away in light traffic and good weather. Several major airlines service the airport and you can easily connect to major cities, such as Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York.

Alternatively, you can fly into one of two New Hampshire airports. The closest is Lebanon Airport, about 40 minutes away, while the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is more like a two-hour drive.

Twin Farms offers a complimentary car service from the aforementioned airports to the hotel, so you can sit back and relax in one of the spacious minivans while the friendly staff does the driving. On the other hand, if you’re staying at Twin Farms for more than a few nights, you may want to rent your own vehicle to enjoy a bit more freedom; major rental agencies can be found right next to the baggage claim in the Burlington airport.

It’s also worth noting that the Five-Star hotel has its own heliport; for the ultimate convenience you can charter (or fly, if you have your license) a helicopter right onto the Twin Farms grounds and touch down a stone’s throw from the Aviary cottage.

The closest train station to Twin Farms is White River Junction in New Hampshire. The line is served by the Vermonter Amtrak train and is approximately a 35- to 40-minute ride from the train station to the Five-Star hotel. The Vermonter runs from St. Albans, Vt., through Springfield, Mass., New York and Washington, D.C., so if driving or flying really isn’t your thing, you can let Amtrak do the work. Another perk to taking the train is that you will be able to leisurely take in scenic countryside views as you pull into the White River Junction station on your way to Twin Farms.

For a small luxury hotel, Twin Farms has more amenities for its guests than many large-scale resorts you’d visit for a 10-day vacation. Here’s what we think are the five best amenities to take advantage of while you stay at the Five-Star hotel:

1. You might want lunch on the outdoor terrace in the warmer months, but a picnic is a must at Twin Farms during the summer. However, you’re not limited to just the warm weather; you can picnic in the winter — just wrap yourself up and replace the champagne on ice for mulled wine in a flask. We especially love the idea of having chef Ted Ask and his team fill up a basket so you can visit one of the grounds’ many scenic picnic areas. The picnic-basket goodies will be the same high-quality dishes served in the restaurant, such as grilled salmon, cheeses and fresh garden produce accompanied by a bottle of 2006 Chalone Vineyards Pinot Blanc. Inside the basket, you’ll also find china and hand-blown glass with crisp linen napkins. Try a hike to Ski Hill or stay closer to home and canoe onto the far side of Copper Pond for a breathtaking view as the perfect side to any picnic.

2. From hiking boots, socks, walking sticks, backpacks and even right down to the bug spray, the recreation manager and team will equip you with everything to enjoy the seven miles of hiking trails that cover the Vermont hotel’s grounds. If you’re looking for a low-key activity, head over to Copper Pond, where you’ll find a full complement of fly-fishing equipment, water floats, suntan lotion, towels and lounge chairs. In the winter, you’ll have everything from snowshoes to skis to make the most of the New England snow. The hotel cannot tune your skis, should you bring your own, but can certainly arrange for such services in the nearby town of Woodstock.

3. While Out of the Woods is not a full-service spa with expansive wet facilities, lockers and relaxation areas in one building, the services and experience you will find at the small spa make it a phenomenal amenity to have onsite. The treatment menu is limited but offers just the right combination of body, facial and salon services to cover all your beautifying needs.

4. Twin Farms has several Gary Fisher Napa series mountain bikes ready and standing by if the mood to cycle takes you. Even if you’re not an avid mountain biker, go for an easy downhill ride into Barnard Village to picnic by Silver Lake and the hotel’s own private beach area. Afterward, simply place a call to the hotel from the general store and the staff will come and pick you up — no arduous uphill biking required.

5. Though the original farmhouse that makes up most of Twin Farm’s main building dates back to 1795, the Barn Room was added on in later years. Enter through the cozy bar and keep going until you find the soaring, two-story Barn Room. A beautiful picture window overlooks the terrace and meadow at one end, while a small reading room is neatly tucked away at the opposite end at the top of a spiral staircase. Stuffed with books that have been collected, borrowed and exchanged over the years, the reading room is a perfect place to curl up and lose yourself in a good tome for a short while.

While we find it all too easy to say we love everything about Twin Farms, these are the five things we love most about the Five-Star hotel:

1. Location. When most of us city folk say we need a getaway, a location as idyllic as Twin Farms and the quaint, time-stood-still village of Barnard, Vt., comes to mind. If you’re looking for fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery and that get-away-from-it-all feeling, Twin Farms should be on your hotel bucket list.

2. The art collection. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine art or not, we think you’ll love the sophisticated and often whimsical art on display throughout the hotel. Gathered by the owner and founder of Twin Farms, Thurston Twigg-Smith, the collection is the fruit of his travels around the globe. With pieces brought back from as far away as Morocco and Italy, the artwork helps inspire the interior design in guestrooms and public spaces.

3. The grounds. It’s hard to take a bad picture when wandering the beautiful grounds at Twin Farms. Set upon acres of meadows, rolling hills and several miles of hiking trails, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more romantic location. The late Dan Kiley designed the grounds, which demonstrate his mastery of creating a landscape that looks natural, without a hint of formal design; you won’t find any “Keep off the grass” signs here. In the summer, thousands of purple lupines dot the meadows, and you can take the four-mile, two-hour hike up to Turtle Hill to catch a glimpse of all 300 breathtaking acres of the Twin Farms estate.

4. The interior design. Each room and public space has a name describing its most important characteristics. For example, the Treehouse cottage showcases elaborate Adirondack white birch twig work, while the Meadow overlooks a meadow with a jaw-dropping Moroccan theme, including a sunken bedroom area, terracotta tiling with rich jewel-toned accents and an amazing tented fabric ceiling.

5. The food. Though the rates at Twin Farms are all-inclusive, don’t think for one moment this means any expense is spared on the food and beverages. In fact, you can expect quite the opposite; crafted by executive chef Ted Ask and sous chef Peter Heaney, the contemporary American meals offer thoroughly enjoyable twists. For instance, pastry chef Christopher Wilson may create a Barnard blueberry crumble for lunch; nothing unusual about that, except perhaps, for a ginger beer float accompanying the dessert, garnished with an edible nasturtium flower freshly picked from the Twin Farms garden.