Vermont’s New Marriott Has a Nature Trail Out Back
A new Marriott hotel has opened beside the Winooski River in Vermont, offering an alternative to staying in central Burlington. The 115-room Sugar House Hotel sits beside a nature preserve, within walking distance of Winooski’s restaurants and shops. Its biggest difference is the setting: guests can head straight onto riverside trails, then return for rooftop dining, without staying at a remote country resort.
Sugar House takes its name from Vermont’s maple-sugaring tradition, with rooms dedicated to individual sugarhouses and interiors furnished by local craftspeople. Guests are offered a maple creemee at check-in, while MOSS Café + Bar and the rooftop Treetops restaurant provide on-site dining. Solar panels and geothermal heating support the hotel's aim of net-zero energy operations and LEED Platinum certification, which is still being pursued.
What to Know Before Booking Sugar House
- Location: 111 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, near Burlington.
- Opened: 5 November 2026; 115 guestrooms.
- Rates: Marriott listed $148 per night for 6–7 December; other dates vary.
- Airport: Burlington International (BTV), 3.1 miles away; free shuttle by advance reservation.
- Parking: Paid on-site; confirm the charge directly.
- Best suited to: Couples, families and walkers; connecting rooms available.
- Booking: Official Marriott hotel page.
A wooden bridge leads directly to a 1.2-mile walking loop in Winooski Gorge Natural Area, with Salmon Hole fishing waters nearby. Winooski’s compact centre offers independent restaurants and converted mill buildings close to the hotel. Burlington’s Church Street shops and Lake Champlain waterfront are a short drive or bus ride away. Visitors planning trips farther into Vermont may still prefer to hire a car.
Sugar House is worth considering if riverside walks, local food and access to Burlington matter more than sleeping in the city centre. The airport shuttle is complimentary but must be booked, and parking costs extra. Families can ask for connecting rooms, while guests who want to walk straight to Burlington’s waterfront should compare downtown hotels. Check the final nightly rate and charges before reserving.