The Fashionable Frequent Flyers

Last weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of spending the weekend in Manchester, Vermont, and it was a dream. This was my first time visiting the state, and as an introduction, Manchester, and specifically, the Kimpton Taconic Hotel did not disappoint. Before I get into the nitty gritty of the hotel, let me just mention that the town of Manchester is absolutely charming. Everyone was so pleasant, it was quiet and serene, and the homes in the town are incredibly charming. One of my favorite features that is a staple of 90% of the homes, and the Kimpton Taconic Hotel too, are the rocking chairs on the front porches. They are giving “let’s take a beat and take it all in because we are lucky to be here.”

Okay, with that said, let’s turn to the beautiful Kimpton Taconic Hotel. For this hotel rating, there are a few things I want to focus on, namely: aesthetics, service, location, and notable mentions. First, let’s talk about AESTHETICS!! If you are a luxury traveler, one thing that you will always prioritize when searching for the right hotel is a hotel that LOOKS GOOD – both from the exterior and interior. Let’s face it, visual appeal is part of the hotel experience and has an impact on how much you enjoy a particular property. I’m happy to report that Kimpton Taconic Hotel excels in this area! The white aesthetic on the exterior is just STUNNING, and the surrounding nature is gorgeous. The aerial shots we captured took our breath away. The interior was very well put together; the decor was clearly well thought out, and I was a huge fan of the fireplaces around the hotel. Everything was incredible.

Second, the service at the hotel was top notch, and this applies to all elements of the hotel: from front desk assistance, to waitstaff at Copper Grouse — the hotel’s inhouse restaurant, to the valet and other support staff. It was particularly clear to me that everyone in this hotel really cared about their job and cared about ensuring that guests had an amazing experience at the hotel. One additional element of stellar service that the hotel provides is a house car to take you to nearby destinations–be it hiking trails, the nearby shops, or any of the restaurants in the area. This feature tells you immediately that the Kimpton Taconic Hotel cares about ensuring that ALL of their guests’ needs are satisfied.

Third, the location. Manchester is a fairly small town, but even with that, Kimpton Taconic Hotel is located right in the center, off Main Street. Because it was my first time visiting Manchester, I really wanted to explore and get to see what the town was all about. Well, from Taconic, I was able to check out a vast majority of the town’s offerings, from the independent bookstore that is highly coveted to the nearby stores to the fly fishing museum. I was also able to get out and go on a hike at Lyle Brook Falls, whose trailhead was only 9mins away from the hotel. I was also able to check out the art scene in Manchester and also visit Hildene–the home of Abraham Lincoln’s son. It as a jampacked itinerary, and what it made it possible to execute on all these activities in one weekend was the location of the hotel. The highlights on my Instagram page show you all the cool things I did!!

Last, but certainly not least, are the honorable mentions: 1) The room design and decor was excellent (see pictures below). My favorite thing won’t be a secret to all you long-time readers — yeah, you guessed it, it was the soaking tub; 2) I loved social hour — basically, on weekends, between 5:00p and 6:00p, the hotel provides guests with a glass of wine and some snacks to enjoy, on them. It’s a great way to meet other guests too, and I loved trying all the new wine options on offer; and 3) The hotel is vey pet and child friendly. A huge percentage of guests brought their dogs, and, as far as I could tell, the puppies absolutely loved their stay. If you’re a pet owner, this is the hotel for you.

This charming hotel has earned the FFF 5* rating! I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!