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4-star hotels in Lake Willoughby
A shortlist of the 4-star properties near Lake Willoughby, from lakeside homes in Eden to country inns and chalets in the surrounding Vermont villages. It suits couples, families and small groups who want the lake and the mountains rather than a resort strip.
Staying in Lake Willoughby
Lake Willoughby is a five-mile-long glacial lake wedged between two cliff-faced mountains in the Northeast Kingdom, the closest thing to a fjord east of the Rockies. Glacial ice gouged a deep, narrow trench and left Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor rising as sheer cliffs directly out of the water on either side of the narrows, and the proportions genuinely do not look like the rest of New England. Westmore, on the east shore, is a scattering of houses and a small store. These properties are spread through the villages around the water rather than sitting on one shore: Eden, Wolcott, Montgomery, Jay, Newport, Hyde Park, Morrisville, Morristown and Jeffersonville all appear in their addresses, with several homes on the Eden shore of the lake itself and others near Jay Peak.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Phineas Swann Inn & Spa
195 Main Street, Burlington, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereA 4-star inn and spa on Main Street, Phineas Swann pairs a massage and a Jacuzzi with free wifi and free car parking, so days on the water end in comfort. There is a bar for a drink and family rooms for those travelling with children. Bike rental and canoe hire make it easy to get out on the lake, and a games room and garden cover slower afternoons.
See Phineas Swann Inn & SpaThe Governor's House In Hyde Park
100 Main St Hyde Park Vt 05655 Usa, Hyde Park, United States
Why stay hereThe Governor's House In Hyde Park is a small, quiet 4-star house with a garden, where the room comes with a DVD player, CD player and iron and board. It suits travellers who want a simple, calm base with a hairdryer and shower in the bathroom and few distractions beyond the grounds.
See The Governor's House In Hyde ParkJay Peak Getaway on Trout River
Null, Montgomery, United States
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 4-star getaway sits on the Trout River, so the sound of water comes with the stay. A fireplace, full kitchen with dishwasher and oven, and a patio and picnic area make it a practical choice for families or groups who prefer to cook and eat outside. Skiing is on the doorstep list of activities, and a washing machine and laundry service help on longer trips.
See Jay Peak Getaway on Trout RiverOwls Unit #6
672 N Hill Drive Owls Unit 6, Jeffersonville, United States
Best for: Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereOwls Unit #6 is a 4-star apartment-style base with an indoor pool, outdoor pool and spa, plus a fitness centre and steam room for days off the slopes. Inside, a kitchen with oven and dishwasher, a fireplace and a balcony give families room to spread out, and table tennis and a playground keep younger guests busy. Skiing and golf are both within reach.
See Owls Unit #6Lake Eden Escape
35 Durivage Drive, Eden, United States
Best for: Travelling with pets
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereLake Eden Escape is a 4-star lakeside house with a fireplace and a full kitchen, including dishwasher, oven and microwave, for guests who want to settle in rather than eat out. Pets are welcome and there is a picnic area, and skiing and fishing are nearby. A washing machine and laundry service make it work for longer stays.
See Lake Eden EscapeBlackbear Log Cabin
3154 Vt Rt15 East Blackbear Log Cabin, Morrisville, United States
Best for: Pool and spa · Travelling with pets
- Outdoor pool
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereBlackbear Log Cabin is a 4-star log cabin with a Jacuzzi, fireplace and outdoor pool, well suited to a relaxed group or family break. The kitchen with oven and dishwasher, plus a washing machine and laundry service, covers everyday needs, and pets are allowed. Fishing and skiing are the outdoor draws, with a TV and video for quiet evenings.
See Blackbear Log CabinStunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly
375 East Hill Road, Eden, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereA 4-star lakefront house in Eden, this modern property offers a Jacuzzi, spa and a kitchen with dishwasher and oven, with free wifi and free car parking. Pets are welcome, family rooms and cots are available, and canoes, table tennis and a pool bar add things to do. The garden and balcony look out over the water for a calm, design-led stay.
See Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendlyVermont Scandinavian Chalet Courchevel
316 Arnolds Lane, Wolcott, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereVermont Scandinavian Chalet Courchevel is a 4-star chalet with free wifi and free car parking, a garden and a terrace, plus canoe hire for lake days. The kitchen with oven and microwave suits self-catering stays, family rooms are available and laundry service helps on longer trips. Skiing and fishing are the nearby activities, and the chalet keeps a safe for valuables.
See Vermont Scandinavian Chalet CourchevelStairway To Heaven VT Lakefront
215 Peninsula Drive, Eden, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Swimming pool
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereStairway To Heaven is a 4-star lakefront house with a Jacuzzi and a garden, and a kitchen for guests who like to cook for themselves. Canoes, a swimming pool and a terrace give plenty to do without leaving, pets are allowed, and family rooms and cots make it easy with children. Free wifi and free car parking are included.
See Stairway To Heaven VT LakefrontSki in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort
533 N Village Rd Unit 120, Jay, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Parking
Why stay hereSki in, ski out at this 4-star unit in Jay Peak resort, with a sauna, Jacuzzi and spa for the end of the day, plus indoor and outdoor pools. A fireplace and a kitchen with dishwasher and oven make it a comfortable base for groups, and a shuttle service helps getting around. Free wifi and parking are included.
See Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak ResortEagles Unit #1
Jeffersonville, United States
Best for: Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereEagles Unit #1 is a 4-star base in Jeffersonville with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre and spa, and a kitchen with oven and dishwasher. A fireplace, balcony and patio make the unit easy to live in, while table tennis, a playground and golf keep days busy. Skiing and fishing are nearby, and family rooms and a sofa bed add flexibility.
See Eagles Unit #1Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Arêches
316 Arnolds Lane, Wolcott, United States
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereVermont Scandinavian Chalet Arêches is a 4-star chalet with free wifi and free car parking, a garden and a terrace for quiet mornings. The kitchen with oven and microwave supports self-catering stays, and laundry service and a safe add convenience. It suits travellers who want a simple, clean Scandinavian-style base in Wolcott.
See Vermont Scandinavian Chalet ArêchesSterling Valley Home about 9 Mi to Stowe Mountain
1725 Sterling Valley Rd, Morristown, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Spa
- Parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereSterling Valley Home is a 4-star house on the river with a fireplace, garden and patio, and a kitchen with dishwasher and oven for guests who cook in. Free wifi and parking are included, and a spa and laundry service round out the stay. It works well for a family or group wanting space and a riverside setting.
See Sterling Valley Home about 9 Mi to Stowe MountainBeach House Lake Memphremagog
144 Landing Street, Newport, United States
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereBeach House Lake Memphremagog is a 4-star lakefront apartment with a balcony and terrace looking over the water, and free wifi and free car parking included. A fireplace and kitchen with oven and microwave make it comfortable for longer stays, and a sofa bed adds flexibility. It suits couples or small families who want to be right by the lake.
See Beach House Lake MemphremagogCozy Chalet at Jay Peak
107 Birch Road, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereCozy Chalet at Jay Peak is a 4-star chalet with a fireplace and an outdoor pool, plus a kitchen with dishwasher and oven for self-catering. Pets are allowed, breakfast is offered, and a garden, terrace and picnic area give outdoor space. Skiing and tennis are close by, and family rooms, cots and high chairs make it practical with children.
See Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pool or spa | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phineas Swann Inn & Spa | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – |
| The Governor's House In Hyde Park | ★★★★ | – | – | – |
| Jay Peak Getaway on Trout River | ★★★★ | – | – | – |
| Owls Unit #6 | ★★★★ | – | Yes | – |
| Lake Eden Escape | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes |
| Blackbear Log Cabin | ★★★★ | – | Yes | Yes |
| Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Courchevel | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – |
| Eagles Unit #1 | ★★★★ | – | Yes | – |
| Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Arêches | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Sterling Valley Home about 9 Mi to Stowe Mountain | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – |
| Beach House Lake Memphremagog | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Owls Unit #6 and Eagles Unit #1 both list family rooms, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor pools and table tennis, and sit in Jeffersonville. Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak adds family rooms, a playground, an outdoor pool, a tennis court and breakfast, with beach nearby and pets allowed.
On the water
Lake Eden Escape, Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly and Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront all list a lake among their facilities, and the latter two are on Durivage Drive, East Hill Road and Peninsula Drive in Eden. Expect canoes, gardens and terraces rather than a front desk.
Lake Eden Escape · Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly · Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront
With pets
Five of these properties list pets allowed: Lake Eden Escape in Eden, Blackbear Log Cabin in Morrisville, Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly and Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront in Eden, and Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak. The remaining properties on this shortlist do not state a pet policy in their data.
Lake Eden Escape · Blackbear Log Cabin · Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly · Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront · Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak
Skiers and riders
Jay Peak Getaway on Trout River, Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort and Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak all list skiing, and the Jay property pairs it with a sauna, spa and shuttle service. Owls Unit #6 and Eagles Unit #1 in Jeffersonville list skiing as well, along with pools and fitness centres.
Jay Peak Getaway on Trout River · Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort · Owls Unit #6 · Eagles Unit #1 · Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak
Where to stay in Lake Willoughby
Eden
Westmore, on the east shore, is a scattering of houses and a small store, and the nearest real services are in Barton and Orleans, ten to fifteen minutes away by road.
Our picks here: Lake Eden Escape · Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly · Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront
Wolcott
The two Vermont Scandinavian Chalets, Courchevel and Arêches, share 316 Arnolds Lane in Wolcott. Both are chalet-style stays with gardens, terraces and free car parking, the Courchevel adding canoe and fishing, and they suit travellers who want quiet and a kitchen rather than village amenities.
Our picks here: Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Courchevel · Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Arêches
Jeffersonville
Owls Unit #6 on N Hill Drive and Eagles Unit #1 sit in Jeffersonville, the two most amenity-heavy addresses here: pools indoors and out, playgrounds, fitness centres, golf, horse back riding, restaurants and spa facilities between them. They are the obvious pick for families who want things to do on site.
Our picks here: Owls Unit #6 · Eagles Unit #1
Jay
Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort is on N Village Rd in Jay, the one address here built around the mountain itself, with a sauna, spa, outdoor pool and shuttle service. East Burke, around half an hour off, is worth a thought if you want to ride the Kingdom Trails on the same trip.
Our picks here: Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Lake Willoughby lies on VT-5A in Westmore, roughly ten minutes east of I-91 at the Barton and Orleans exits and about 35 minutes north of St. Johnsbury. Burlington International (BTV) is around two hours west and Montreal about two and a half hours north; there is no rail or bus service to the lake. A car is essential, and mobile coverage through the notch is patchy, so download directions before you go. VT-5A runs the length of the east shore with the cliffs directly above it, which is the drive worth doing. The west side has no continuous shore road, so a full loop means going around by VT-16 and the surrounding country roads.
When to go
July and August for swimming and paddling, and late September into early October for foliage on the cliffs, which is spectacular and much less trafficked than central Vermont. Winter brings ice fishing and ice climbing on the Pisgah cliffs, but most seasonal lodging and food closes, so the Jay Peak properties are the practical cold-weather base. Supply is tiny and made up of camps and lakeside rentals rather than anything like a hotel strip, so July, August and the first half of October need booking far ahead.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the lake?
The Eden properties list a lake among their facilities: Lake Eden Escape on Durivage Drive, Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly on East Hill Road and Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront on Peninsula Drive. The rest sit in surrounding villages such as Wolcott, Jay, Jeffersonville and Newport.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Yes. Lake Eden Escape, Blackbear Log Cabin, Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly, Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront and Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak all list pets allowed. The other properties on this shortlist do not state a pet policy in their data.
Where can I park?
Free car parking is listed at Phineas Swann Inn & Spa, Stunning Lake Front Modern Chic Cosy pet friendly, Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Courchevel, Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront, Vermont Scandinavian Chalet Arêches, Beach House Lake Memphremagog and Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak. Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort, Sterling Valley Home and the two Vermont Scandinavian Chalets list parking as well.
Which properties have a pool or spa?
Owls Unit #6 and Eagles Unit #1 list indoor and outdoor pools plus a spa and steam room, Blackbear Log Cabin and Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak list an outdoor pool, Stairway To Heaven VT Lakefront lists a swimming pool and spa, and Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort adds a sauna and spa.
Which is the best pick for families?
Owls Unit #6 and Eagles Unit #1 in Jeffersonville combine family rooms, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor pools, table tennis and fitness centres. Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak also lists family rooms, a playground, high chairs, a cot, an outdoor pool and a tennis court.
Which hotels are best for skiing?
Ski in ski out w Sauna in Jay Ski Peak Resort is the only one whose name and address put it on the mountain, with skiing, a sauna, spa and shuttle service. Jay Peak Getaway on Trout River, Cozy Chalet at Jay Peak, Owls Unit #6 and Eagles Unit #1 also list skiing.
Is there anywhere to eat or shop nearby?
Westmore is a scattering of houses and a small store, and the nearest real services are in Barton and Orleans, ten to fifteen minutes away by road, or St. Johnsbury and Newport for anything larger. Plan on buying groceries before you arrive; a few of these properties list a restaurant.
Do I need a car to stay here?
Yes. A car is essential around Lake Willoughby, there is no rail or bus service to the lake, and mobile coverage through the notch is patchy. VT-5A runs the east shore under the cliffs, while the west side has no continuous shore road, so a full loop goes around by VT-16.