Peek inside the new Vermont alpine retreat opening in Stowe this week

An alpine resort with a cedar plunge pool, onsite cocktail lounge, and standalone cabins is opening in Stowe, Vermont this week.

The 35-room AWOL Stowe from Lark Hotels opens Friday, and includes six A-frame cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and private patios. The property is tucked beside Cady Hill Forest near an onsite trout pond and is a short stroll from Stowe Village.

Lark Hotels bills itself as a lifestyle hotel company with boutique properties in iconic destinations throughout the United States.

“AWOL Stowe offers guests the feeling of being immersed in nature while surrounded by comfort and low key, untamed luxury,” according to a press release.

Resort guests can relax on a nordic spa deck with three offerings situated in a traditional Scandinavian-style triangle layout so folks can use them one after the other: a seven-foot cedar cold plunge pool kept at 50 degrees, an outdoor hot tub, and a cedar sauna.

The spa treatments are “the ultimate rejuvenating experience, surrounded by the mountains and lush forest in this quintessential ski town,” wrote the property.

The hotel’s rooms range from king deluxe accommodations with forest views and private baths to the signature Lark Suite with two bedrooms, a full living room with a central wood burning fireplace, full kitchen, and private outdoor porch overlooking the pond.

Designed by Elder & Ash, the rooms and suites are finished in grecian plaster to connote the raw earth, according to a press release, and sport monochromatic tones, wide pine rustic floors and nature decor that includes handcrafted clay pottery, dried branches and fronds, and sculptural sticks.

“Each room features original art inspired by the shapes and seasons of Stowe, and hand painted on birch board, incorporating raw materials like tree bark and pine needles from the forest outside,” according to the property.

The six standalone cabins offer the resort’s most private accommodations. The one-bedroom cabins are found along the pond and feature a king sized bed, high ceilings, gas fireplaces, and a separate living room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Each has a private porch and the bathrooms include a walk-in shower and private bath.

Hungry guests can dine at an exclusive onsite restaurant and four-seat bar that serves craft cocktails and light bites such as deviled eggs with trout roe or
crispy prosciutto, local sausage, and an alpine board with local cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal accoutrement.

For breakfast, AWOL offers a complimentary artisanal toast bar with toppings such as cream cheese, hummus, granola, and bacon bits, as well as housemade spreads, organic yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee, and tea.

Those traveling with children should note that the resort is “adult-oriented.”

“While children and infants are not specifically prohibited, most of our rooms have a single king bed and can only accommodate two persons, including children and infants,” the property indicates on its website.

Other AWOL properties are located in Provincetown, Mass. and Kennebunkport, Maine. Lark Hotels and sister brand, Bluebird by Lark, now have four properties in Stowe: Field Guide Lodge, Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge, Tälta Lodge, a Bluebird by Lark, and AWOL Stowe.

The starting summer rate for AWOL Stowe is $279, depending on the room type and time of stay. Several ADA-accessible rooms are available and pets are welcome for a $50 fee.

In December, Stowe was named among the 20 best ski resorts in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the best ski towns in North America by USA Today.