Highbrow Hygge at this Bucolic Vermont Farm.

The Main House at Twin Farms, built in 1795.

My husband and I are your textbook Type A personalities—he’s a lawyer, I’m a former lawyer turned freelance writer. A “normal” weekend with our two kids under five usually involves trading off runs on the Capital Crescent Trail, hopping from playgrounds to toddler birthday parties, tackling our perpetual list of house projects, and squeezing in the occasional (read: rare) date night à deux. So when we get the chance to sneak away for a weekend (thank you, grandparents and nanny), we go all in.

We’ve checked off a few luxury all-inclusives from our U.S. bucket list, but Twin Farms is the only one we keep coming back to—five wedding anniversaries and counting. Maybe it's Brenda, the activities director, who remembers our names and handpicks a Stave puzzle for us to try while we sip handcrafted maple old fashioneds by the warmth of the fire. Or the quiet magic of snowshoeing through the woods to a surprise picnic setup. Or simply the uninterrupted tête-à-tête over exquisitely plated dishes crafted to our tastes.

With no dress code (more on that here) and a say-yes-to-everything attitude, Twin Farms is the ultimate in relaxed luxury—a home away from home we never want to leave.

Leggings and a sweater is about as fancy as it gets at Twin Farms.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE FARM

Spread across 300 rolling acres, Twin Farms offers 20 accommodations: four rooms in the historic Main House, a two-suite Lodge nearby, the four-suite Farmhouse at Copper Hill, and ten freestanding cottages. Each space has its own personality, thanks to world-class architects and designers—ranging from the Japanese-inspired Orchard (our favorite) to the sleek, modern Aviary, pictured below.

Views from bed in Aviary, a contemporary Peter Bohlin designed two-story cottage.

Opt for a cottage for complete privacy, though rest assured every room—regardless of size—includes spacious sitting areas, wood-burning fireplaces, king-size beds, and spa-like bathrooms with powerful rain showers and deep soaking tubs.

Amenities include

• Out of the Woods bath products

• Complimentary local treats + wine

• Same-day laundry service

• Twice-daily housekeeping

• Handcrafted chocolates at turndown

Rates begin at $2,600 and are inclusive of accommodations, all meals, beverages and activities. Spa treatments and private guided excursions are available at an additional cost.

DINING AT THE FARM

Like many Relais & Châteaux properties, Twin Farms is a destination for food lovers. Helmed by Chef Nathan Rich (formerly of the Mandarin Oriental Boston), the kitchen serves refined New England cuisine made from seasonal, local ingredients. Vermont has no shortage of farms and dairies, and the menus reflect that heritage.

The legendary soufflé pancakes with a side of locally made bacon and fresh fruit.

Breakfast can be enjoyed in-room or in the Main House. A rotating menu of 4–5 dishes offers something for everyone, but the kitchen will accommodate just about any request. Don’t miss the soufflé pancakes if you’re there on a Sunday.

We love easing into vacation with a relaxing arrival day lunch in the Dining Room—perhaps a crisp caesar, a fried chicken sandwich with wine pairings, and cider donuts with a bourbon. But nothing compares to their picnics. The staff will set up a private meal at the fishing shack, the lift shack, or even a secluded three-sided lean-to with a roaring fire.

A picnic for two set up at the Lift Shack, which can be reserved for lunch and/or dinner.

Evenings begin with cocktails and canapés over backgammon by the fire, followed by a four-course candlelit dinner. There are no menus—guests complete a preferences form before arrival, and the kitchen takes it from there.

For example, a recent memorable dinner for my pescatarian husband and me included a kale, orange and feta salad, orecchiette with black garlic and shaved truffles, and wild striped bass with sweet potato puree and swiss chard followed by a citrus panna cotta with olive oil sponge cake and grapefruit segments.

A salad course featuring locally grown greens, blackberries, Vermont made chèvre and crushed pistachios.

Accompanying wines are selected by Wine Director Morgan LaCroix from the 15,000 bottle cellar, which contains a compelling range of well-known vintners and emerging labels from around the world. And if you’re celebrating a special occasion, reserve the wine cellar for an intimate five-course dinner that comes with your own private server and elevated pairings like caviar tarts and vintage champagne.

Prefer a lighter option? Head to Twiggs, the property’s latest dining concept. The aesthetic is farmhouse-chic with green, tan, and white tones complementing vaulted ceilings and a stunning double-height window behind the bar. Snacks and cocktails start at 3PM, followed by a dinner menu of Argentinian wood-fired meats, pastas, soups, and stews.

The inviting interior of Twiggs, open for afternoon snacks and à la carte dinner service.

ACTIVITIES AT THE FARM

The hardest part about staying at the farm? Working up an appetite for all that delicious food!

Spring, summer and fall offer opportunities for archery and axe throwing, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, lawn games, swimming, tennis and pickleball. Once snow hits in the winter, enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, ice fishing, ice skating and sledding. Culinary endeavors such as cooking classes, charcuterie tastings, and garden tours are also available.

Want to try an activity you don’t see on the menu? Just ask Brenda, Jake or Kyle and they’ll do their best to make it happen.

While we love an active morning, afternoons are best spent relaxing. Curling up by the fire with a novel. Putting the finishing touches on a Stave jigsaw puzzle. Playing blackjack over cocktails at Twiggs. Relaxing with a massage or Biologique Recherche facial at the Spa. Warming up in the Japanese style Furo. Or simply taking a nap.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Twin Farms is, admittedly, a splurge—a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. But with its singular accommodations, impeccable food and wine, seamless service, and unspoiled Vermont beauty, it’s worth every cent.

We’ve been five times, and we’re already planning our sixth.