If you’ve started planning a Vermont getaway, you’ve probably noticed you have plenty of options. There are large hotels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts scattered throughout the state.
So which one is right for your trip? The answer really depends on what kind of vacation you’re hoping to have.
Some travelers want a full kitchen to prep family meals or a large house to spread out in for a couple of weeks. Others simply need a quick, predictable room near the highway before getting back on the road the next morning. But if you’re coming to Vermont to slow down, explore small towns, eat well, and spend your days hiking, brewery hopping, visiting farms, or driving Route 100, where you stay should be part of the experience.
Here’s what makes a stay at our Vermont bed and breakfast a little different.
A Location That Encourages Local Exploration
Our inn sits right in the heart of Waterbury’s historic village. You can pull into our lot, leave your car parked for the weekend, and stroll to beloved local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, coffee shops, and our free summer concerts at the park just down the street. When you’re ready to explore farther, Stowe, the Mad River Valley, the Waterbury Reservoir, and dozens of trailheads are just a short drive away.
Instead of spending your evenings navigating traffic or driving around looking for a parking space, you’re already right where you want to be.
Breakfast That Feels Like Part of Your Vacation
One of the biggest differences between a hotel, an Airbnb, and a bed and breakfast is right there in the name.
At many hotels, breakfast is either a quick continental spread or an extra charge at the restaurant downstairs. At an Airbnb, the morning routine usually falls on you; you’re the one brewing the coffee, cooking the eggs, and washing the dishes before you can even think about heading out for a hike.
Here, breakfast is something to look forward to, complimentary with our signature stay. You can start your morning with locally roasted coffee, homemade pastries, fresh fruit, and yogurt from our buffet before ordering a hot, scratch-made entrée from our rotating seasonal menu (complete with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options). On warm summer mornings, you can eat on the patio, listening to the birds, smelling the flowers, and watching the neighbors walking their dogs down Main Street. Breakfast at the Old Stagecoach Inn is an indulgence, giving you a few extra moments to just relax before taking on the day.
Local Recommendations, Not Search Results
Anyone can pull up a smartphone and search for the “best restaurants in Waterbury.” But algorithms can’t tell you which patio gets the best afternoon sun, or which local pub has the warmest atmosphere on a rainy afternoon.
When you stay at a corporate hotel, the front desk staff might hand you a generic tourist brochure. When you rent a house, your host might live three towns away, leaving you to figure things out on your own.
Because we live and work right here in the village, we’re always chatting with guests in the Library Pub to help them plan their days. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, hidden swimming hole instead of the busiest state park beach, want to visit a working dairy farm, or need help choosing between the legendary menu at Hen of the Wood and the local tap list at Blackback Pub, we love sharing the spots that make our town special.
Every Room Has Its Own Personality
At our 1826 inn and tavern, each of our twelve guest rooms has its own distinct personality. Some feature original fireplaces, others have convenient kitchenettes, some are perfect for a romantic anniversary weekend, and others offer plenty of space for small families or groups of friends. Room 14 is our dedicated pet-friendly suite, tucked at the back of the inn with its own private entrance so you and your dog can come and go without crossing through the main building. Instead of impersonal corporate decor, you’ll find country antiques, local art, elegant architectural details, and thoughtful modern comforts like exceptionally comfortable mattresses, fine linens, and plush robes waiting in many of the rooms.
It’s the reason so many of our returning guests book the same room year after year.
No Surprises From Booking to Checkout
When you book with us, the rate you see is the rate you pay. There are no surprise cleaning fees, no service surcharges, no random resort fees, and no damage deposits held on your card. Your room is ready at check-in, and we’re here to welcome you personally when you arrive. And if you’re arriving outside of check-in hours, our online check-in and front-desk kiosk make it simple. No waiting for a last-minute code or wondering if you’re in the right place.
When it’s time to head home, all you have to do is enjoy one last breakfast and hand back the key (or check out online, whichever is easier). Leave the towels on the floor, the bed as you slept in it, and the trash where it lands. That’s what we’re here for.
The Kind of Place You Come Back To
Some of our favorite conversations happen when a guest walks through the front door, and we recognize them from last spring or the fall before that. Anniversary couples who book the same room from their honeymoon, then a few years later book one of our family suites as they start new family traditions with their kids. Solo travelers who plan their annual Vermont trip around our Stick Season Stitches knitting retreat each November. Friends who visit each year for local beer festivals, bringing a shopping list from their friends and neighbors.
The character of the inn (the charming rooms, the porch, the breakfast table, the locals you meet at the pub who then become friends, the innkeeper you actually get to know) is what our guests come back for, and that is the truest measure of what we do here. When you book with us for the first time, you might be surprised how quickly this starts to feel like home.
When an Airbnb or a Hotel Makes Perfect Sense
We recognize that different types of trips need different types of lodging. If you’re traveling in a group or if doing your own cooking or is an important part of your travel plans, having an entire house to yourself can make a lot of sense. But it’s not your only option! If you are coordinating a family reunion or a multi-generational trip, renting out the inn or booking our multi-room suites and rooms with kitchenettes gives everyone a central gathering space, including a full breakfast every morning, without anyone having to take on the burden of host duties, cooking, or checkout chore lists.
Likewise, if you’re pulling off the interstate at midnight just to sleep for a few hours before hitting the road early, a name brand hotel can be the most convenient option. But if you’re traveling for business and want a comfortable, quiet environment to plug in, our rooms offer reliable high-speed internet and quiet workspaces. Plus, you have the Library Pub right downstairs to unwind after a long day of meetings, meaning you don’t have to settle for a sterile corporate chain to get professional amenities.
A Stay That Feels Like Vermont
Ultimately, choosing between a hotel, an Airbnb, or a bed and breakfast in Vermont isn’t about selecting the best option. It’s about selecting the experience that best fits your particular trip.
If you just need a place to close your eyes, any standard room will do. But if you love the idea of sitting on a historic front porch with a cold drink after a long hike, swapping trail stories with fellow travelers and locals, waking up to the smell of fresh baking, and staying in a historic landmark that has been welcoming travelers since the days of stagecoach travel, a traditional bed and breakfast offers a sense of warmth and connection that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Whether it’s your first time staying at a bed and breakfast or it’s become your favorite way to travel, we’d love to welcome you to the Old Stagecoach Inn. We’ll help you settle in, point you toward a few favorite local restaurants, shops, trails, farms, and breweries, and make sure you experience the parts of Waterbury that keep people coming back year after year.