Stowe Motel & Snowdrift

The three low-rise
buildings that comprise the main part of the motel have a cute, homey charm
from the outside, and the well-kept atmosphere here draws plenty of repeat
guests, from families to couples and even solo travelers. The motel isn’t a quaint
country inn, but it is warm and welcoming from the moment guests step into the
intimate lobby, thanks in part to its overstuffed love seat and armchair, fireplace, and
extensive DVD collection. The lobby area also has a coffee machine for guest
use throughout the day and a computer station, though the only other common area for relaxation is the game room, which has a cozy, suburban split-level
home vibe with a comfortable fireside seating area. By budget motel standards,
despite some outdated decor, the features on offer here put it a step above many
others in this category.

The tiny village of Stowe
is a prime location for sightseeing and adventure sports in northern Vermont,
and the massive Stowe Mountain Ski Resort is a 10-minute drive up the road.
There are quaint restaurants, cafes, and boutiques along Main Street in town, a
five-minute drive from the hotel, though the immediate surroundings are quite
low density. There are a couple restaurants within walking distance, though, including
the popular Sunset Grille & Tap (five minutes), the Cactus Cafe (two
minutes), and Piecasso Pizzeria (three minutes). The Stowe Country Club, ideal
for golf enthusiasts, is a five-minute drive from the hotel and there are
numerous opportunities to hike in the area. Burlington, which has a thriving
arts scene on Lake Champlain (as well as the closest major airport) is a
45-minute drive from the hotel, and the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is
a 15-minute drive south in Waterbury.

The guest rooms here are
spacious, clean, and well-kept, if slightly dated, with simple light wood
veneer furniture that’s in good shape. Light walls are offset against dark
patterned carpets, while wall art is limited to the soft landscapes and scenes
found in "Home Interiors" catalogs of
yore. There are a range of room sizes available, many with kitchenettes that
include miniature electric ranges, microwaves, sinks, and coffeemakers, while
others have full kitchens with stoves and full-size refrigerators. Other rooms
are downright cozy, with working wood-burning fireplaces and small seating
areas made up of plush chairs and couches, some of which are actually sofa
beds. Rooms without efficiencies or kitchens also include mini-fridges and
electric kettles, and all rooms have air-conditioning, alarm clocks,
telephones, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players.

Beds are OK, and come in double,
queen, or king sizes, though the bedspreads live up to motel expectations. Bathrooms
with tiled floors are clean, but slightly outdated -- just like the main rooms.
They have a full line of generic toiletries, stand-alone sinks or larger
vanities in higher category bookings, and bathtub/shower combos. While the
motel isn’t very loud, the soundproofing isn’t the best and minor noise from
neighboring rooms can be heard. The property also rents out full apartments and
homes that are ideal for families and groups.

In the warmer months one
of the nicest ways to explore the area around Stowe is on a bicycle, and the
motel offers free bike rentals to guests. There is an outdoor heated pool
open during the summer months.
The motel doesn’t have a fitness center, but free snowshoe equipment during the winter. The hotel
also features a cozy wood-paneled game room with foosball, ping-pong, vending
machines, and a fireside seating area set with overstuffed couches and chairs. Free coffee is
available in the lobby throughout the day and guests are allowed to borrow
movies from the motel’s DVD library. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and
printing is available from a public computer station in the lobby as well.