The Essex Resort & Spa

More of a boutique hotel. But the SPA was 5 star! Hotel a bit old, towels need replacing and the daily room cleaning was lacking Green mountain hike was great

We celebrated our anniversary at The Essex Resort and had a fabulous time. We were greeted with a welcome note, champagne and truffles — wow! Such a nice way to start our stay. We both love a good sauna & steam room, so we took advantage of the spa every day. I enjoyed swimming laps in the indoor pool followed by time in the outdoor hot tub. My one suggestion would be for the spa to open earlier than 10 a.m. Monday through Wednesday. We had cocktails and appetizers at their Lazy Goat Tavern and enjoyed it. Each morning, I caught up on emails in the lobby area with a cup of the resort’s complimentary coffee blend. I had a good laugh watching guests approach the front desk while barely making eye contact with the staff because they were so distracted by the baked goods :) — the gluten-free carrot muffin was really good! There are great places nearby. I’d recommend Uncommon Grounds for coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and we loved our dinner at Bramble, just a few minutes away. Try to make time for the Shelburne Museum. It’s an unusual place spread across many acres and is unlike any museum I’ve been to before. Burlington is only about 25 minutes away, and I’d also highly recommend Honey Road for dinner — lots of different flavors. We stayed just before peak fall foliage season, so the resort was especially peaceful and relaxing.

Dinner at the Essex Junction in VT.

Kimberly was amazing! Fantastic food and great vibe! So excited to have been able to try this restaurant. Goats in the back door and great sweet treats. Rooms are older but charming love their Halloween decorations

It has been a long time since I’ve written a review for anything, but sometimes a place just deserves the time to do so. The Lazy Goat Tavern inside the beautiful Inn at Essex is your new favorite place that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s one of those rare public spaces where anyone from anywhere can grab a quick drink or enjoy a really good meal and feel genuinely welcome and appreciated. Alone or with others, it’s a true come-as-you-are kind of place, with a subtle elegance and charm that doesn’t require a three-piece suit or designer dress to experience. Spend a few minutes here, though, and you’ll quickly see that what really sets this place apart and gives it its unique charm is the incredible staff. The vibe is always pleasantly upbeat and great for unwinding after work or enjoying a night out on the weekend. The very first time I visited, I pulled up a seat at the bar and was greeted right away by one of the bartenders that night. After a few moments of looking over the extensive drink options, I asked for a recommendation based on a few of my personal tastes. Dakota quickly suggested a perfect sounding option and went to work like a wizard — mixing, shaking, and crafting one of the best cocktails I’ve honestly ever had. Nothing short of artwork poured into a glass, It is that kind of passion for what they do here that keeps me coming back time and time again. Its also the reason that I felt the need to write this review and give credit to those that deserve it and have earned the right to hear it. The bartenders here are easily some of the best in the greater Burlington area. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong! LB, Marissa, Gary, and the above mentioned Dakota are all experts at mixing up any of the amazing regular drink menu options, unique seasonal offerings, or something creative and delicious based on whatever you happen to be craving in the moment. Always attentive and engaging, the individuals Ive mentioned here that Ive had the pleasure of interacting directly with (along with all of the other staff members) will go above and beyond to make your time there fun and enjoyable. Quick with a witty but respectful response or a genuine answer to a question, they’ll make you feel like more than just a customer as soon as you walk in. So, if you aren’t already on your way there, you should be. If for some reason you do still happen to be reading this overly detailed and rambling review, please accept my apologies in advance if my favorite seat at the bar opens up and we both happen to notice at the same time. Lace up your shoes, kick them off, or do whatever you helps you run faster, because you might just have to race me to it! 😅 Come visit the Lazy Goat Tavern sometime soon and see why it will be your new favorite place in town. Its definitely been mine since the first time I sat down there. Cheers! 🍷🍸🍹🍻🥂