Hilltop Inn Montpelier

[Buckeye Skier 1330]

Anyone ever stay there? We're planning our annual trip, midweek first week of March, and found this place. Just hoping to get an opinion or two. We're planning on skiing Sugarbush and Smuggs and maybe Jay. Looks like a decent place but all hotels look good on the net. Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[JD]

Montperlier is far from J and smuggs. Stay in Morrisville, ski J and smuggs, then ski Sugar Bush and stay down that way. If you have to stay at one place the whole time, the Best Western in Waterbury is a better spot. IMO.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Never stayed there but have driven by it a couple of zillion times. Looks decent, nothing fancy, that's about all I can say. It's location is abit funky for getting to the Bush. Once you get on I89 it's shorter via Roxbury Gap than going north to 100B.

 

[vonski]

The place is decent. $59.00 a night on Travelocity, but no cancellation, If you walkin or call it is 69 to 79. Haggle, do not pay full price! I stay there a lot. Cup of coffee ride to the Bush either way you go! 89 or over Roxbury Gap! Would be same for STowe. Jay is far from anything! The mattresses were new in last 5 years as long as u get a non-smoking room. The pool is hot. kept to 89 or more degrees. The hospital has in past used it for therapy not sure if they still do. But it is relaxing, but can not be to clear! at times. I always take a shower afterwards, never gotten sick. Like I said the place is decent. But the price is right. No local channels on cable, but 4 Indian ones. The basic CNN, Espn, Nickelodeon or cartoon network. So, if looking for cheap it works. They have a fridge and microwave in rooms too. if not one ask for one! They are on snowmobile trail, so will get a lot of snowmobilers on weekends!

Eat at the Hydeway down the hill! Family run place! Get the specials. things like Pot Roast less than 8 bucks! piece of homemade pie. $2.50 etc. But the chix nuggets are processed! My kid prefers Friendly's, but the specials are good decent food! Perch on menu too! Restraunt is separate run at hotel and is not bad.

Also have stayed at Bestwestern. It is nice. have cots for kids etc. Hot tub! and normal pool! video room. I stay there early or late season when they are not asking 150 or more a night.

Good luck.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

No local channels on cable, but 4 Indian ones. The basic CNN, Espn, Nickelodeon or cartoon network. So, if looking for cheap it works.
Good luck.

Not too surprising as Indian owners have bought lodging properties all over the state. I have stayed at several fleabag motels in Rutland, all owned by Indian owners. Just this past weekend I was talking to someone from Middlebury, same thing happing there regarding the cheap family run lotels.

On the tv thing, are you sure they don't have satillate instead of cable? All the Vermont cable outlets I know of does include local stations with no Indian stations.

 

[snowmonster]

I stayed here once when it was still the Lague Inn. I was skiing the 'Bush the next day and it was a long drive to the 'Bush -- and even farther from Stowe or Smuggs. Perhaps because it was in its last days as the Lague Inn, the place was pretty run-down. A poster above described the place now as decent and I'm glad to hear that. When I stayed there, I would not even call it that. If you're skiing the Bush, you're probably better off staying at King M's inn then driving up to Morrisville for accomodations there.

 

[vonski]

.

On the tv thing, are you sure they don't have satillate instead of cable? All the Vermont cable outlets I know of does include local stations with no Indian stations.

Yeah, most likely satellite. Ride time to Bush is 35-40 minutes if going speed limit behind dump truck! So, if that is a long ride then so be it! Definitely Indian owners here! But again if u need a warm bed you cannot beat the price. The other hotels in Barre/Montpelier, that are as cheap as this one are scarey! I tried the Budget one time in town. I slept with one eye open that night!!! and this is Vermont!

Buckeye skier, If ur just staying at hotels for the week then I would move around. check out Jay site for Hotel Jay deals that week. They offer pp deals from 79 - 159 at the hotel jay, includes ticket, room double occupancy, full buffet breakfast, dinner full menu, hot tub and slope side. JOin the 242 newletter or facebook page. Like I said anything is far from Jay!

But I personally would just ski Sugarbush!! The Golden Lion is nice and get good AZ discount just mention AZ!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

If your talking about the Budget Inn in Barre, that does look pretty rundown but I think your safe staying there. Montpelier and Barre are two completely diferent cites. Barre is a gritty blue collar city built on the granite industry which has a very interesting history. One thing is that they brought in 100's of Italian sculptors and their familes around the turn of the century to produce the high end memorials made from Barre granite. They regularly make memorials for presidents, kings worlwide etc.

People I have talked to have advised that the mote{maybe the Vermonter Motel?), I'll check on that, behind Friendley's down the hill from the CVH is nice, cheap and has much easier access to I89 to Middlesex for the Bush and Waterbury for Stowe than the Hilltop or Budget. Probably more expensive but the nice Comfort Inn/Applebees by the big Shaws is 5 min to I89 to points north, same route as the one behind Friendlys.

As mentioned, if your sking the Bush, Michael's Golden Lion is an easy and most excellent choice. From the Golden Lion to Stowe, it's about 20/30 min to Waterbury then 30/40 min to Stowe Resort via the Moscow shortcut. If you go via Rt 108(Stowe Mountain Rd) it could much longer if it's a busy day.

 

[scharny]

Never stayed there but have driven by it a couple of zillion times. Looks decent, nothing fancy, that's about all I can say. It's location is a bit funky for getting to the Bush. Once you get on I89 it's shorter via Roxbury Gap than going north to 100B.

With all due respect, I live in Montpelier, I've been driving to the 'Bush from Montpelier for years and I can confidently say that it is NOT closer or quicker by going through Roxbury Gap. That's a surefire way to add at least 15 minutes to the drive (as opposed to 100B), as well as put yourself on a road that is definitely more dangerous than 100 or 100B in bad weather. Coming up from points further south, Roxbury Gap is a no-brainer.

 

[noski]

People I have talked to have advised that the mote{maybe the Vermonter Motel?), I'll check on that, behind Friendley's down the hill from the CVH is nice, cheap and has much easier access to I89 to Middlesex for the Bush and Waterbury for Stowe than the Hilltop or Budget. Probably more expensive but the nice Comfort Inn/Applebees by the big Shaws is 5 min to I89 to points north, same route as the one behind Friendlys.

SRO- I think you are confused. The Hilltop is across from CVH (formerly LaGue's) is an easy jump to I89. Maybe you were thinking of another inn.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

SRO- I think you are confused. The Hilltop is across from CVH (formerly LaGue's) is an easy jump to I89. Maybe you were thinking of another inn.

Thanks, I was confused..... first day off after working a crazy busy holiday week. I was thinking it was the motel on a hillside on the Barre/Montpelier Rd and I can't find the motel that's behind Friendly's, it's not the Vermonter(that ironically might be the motel I thought was the Hilltop...lol), maybe closed?

 

[psyflyer]

Instead of lodging in Montpelier have you considered St. Johnsbury? You have Burke 20 minutes away, Jay 45 and Cannon about 30 or 45 tops.

 

[vonski]

If your talking about the Budget Inn in Barre, that does look pretty rundown but I think your safe staying there..
.

SRO. The door was clearly broken into many times with the repairs that were sorta done to it. Also, the guy sitting in his room down the hall. ( there is a hall with rooms in the middle corner.) that looked like jabba the hut with his door open as we walked by and he simply chuckled made for a rather unnerving night! The sheets were not clean slept in my clothes that night. The place looked better on the outside than it did inside. It was not a good nights sleep by any means at the Budget!

 

[tjf67]

Not too surprising as Indian owners have bought lodging properties all over the state. I have stayed at several fleabag motels in Rutland, all owned by Indian owners. Just this past weekend I was talking to someone from Middlebury, same thing happing there regarding the cheap family run lotels.

On the tv thing, are you sure they don't have satillate instead of cable? All the Vermont cable outlets I know of does include local stations with no Indian stations.

bordering on racism don't you think.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

bordering on racism don't you think.

Not in my view......just stating the facts, not judging it. Think what you want.....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

SRO. The door was clearly broken into many times with the repairs that were sorta done to it. Also, the guy sitting in his room down the hall. ( there is a hall with rooms in the middle corner.) that looked like jabba the hut with his door open as we walked by and he simply chuckled made for a rather unnerving night! The sheets were not clean slept in my clothes that night. The place looked better on the outside than it did inside. It was not a good nights sleep by any means at the Budget!

That sounds pretty bad....when I drive by I always wonder if the Budget chain folks have ever been there and I have never mentioned it to anyone as a lodging suggestion.

 

[severine]

Instead of lodging in Montpelier have you considered St. Johnsbury? You have Burke 20 minutes away, Jay 45 and Cannon about 30 or 45 tops.

Definitely want to skip Sugarbush and Smuggs if you do that. LONG drive from there. I drove up to there while pregnant (from Stowe, actually) to occupy myself while B was at a ski clinic for the weekend. It's a pretty drive, but you don't want to waste time in the car doing that if you don't have to.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

So back to the OP and noski jogging my brain back on track I would say that the Hilltop is a decent place good for the Bush and Stowe but a longer drive to Smuggs and an even longer drive to Jay. On the plus side there is a big modern Shaws pretty close for deli and other food items. If anyone gets ill/injured at the motel the CVH(Central Vermont Hospital) is right across the road. :wink: The Vermont State Chamber is also across the road. Lots of free brochures and maps about anything Vermont for the traveler.

If you have some energy left after driving and skiing/riding I would drive into Montpelier, about 10/15 min from the Hilltop, a very cool little city where there are several good food choices for dinner. The first two years I worked at the Bush I lived in Montpelier and commuted. What a pretty drive that is.

 

[jaja111]

The hospital has in past used it for therapy not sure if they still do. But it is relaxing, but can not be to clear! at times. I always take a shower afterwards, never gotten sick.

Wow. That doesn't creep me out at all. Gave me a good laugh. I'd stay there I guess.

 

[vonski]

Wow. That doesn't creep me out at all. Gave me a good laugh. I'd stay there I guess.

Like I said, if ur used to the Hyatt or Marriot or Sheraton, then this is not ur place, but if u want a warm pool and bed on the cheap. Then I recommend it. I would not send my mother here not her taste, but for the average skier who is exhausted at the end of day and wants a place to stay then not bad!:wink: