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The Setting

Twin Farms is located on a vast, secluded estate in the bucolic countryside outside Barnard, Vermont. Our 300 acres of woods, meadows, and mountains comprise a private nine-acre pond; miles of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing; and 10 cottages nestled amongst the trees, in addition to the Lodge, the Main House, and the Farmhouse at Copper Pond. Just outside our gates, you can peruse antique shops, visit the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and tour a working farm, or watch artists shape fine glassware at the Simon Pearce factory in Quechee.

Twin Farms is around 90 minutes from the Burlington airport, three hours from Boston, and five hours from New York City.

Art & Design

Twin Farms founder Thurston Twigg- Smith wanted to keep the circa 1795 farmhouse as the heart of the property, and allow each cottage to express its own personality through architecture, interior design, and art from his extensive private collection, which features such contemporary masters as David Hockney, Cy Twombly, and Jasper Johns.

Jed Johnson, regarded as one of the world’s leading interior designers, fashioned the 15 original accommodations for Twin Farms’ 1993 debut. In 2005, famed residential architect Peter Bohlin constructed Aviary and the Farmhouse at Copper Hill, which contains four private suites around a common library and living room. Interior designer Thad Hayes perfected the integration between function and feel in the more recent accommodations.

The attention to detail continues outdoors, with gardens and grounds designed by landscape architect Dan Kiley. The result is a natural topography reminiscent of a country estate and replete with recreational areas and wild gardens.

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Explore The Countryside

Vermonters have had a longtime adoration for Volvos. With miles of dirt roads throughout Vermont in need of exploring, a partnership between Twin Farms and Volvo USA seemed perfectly natural. Thanks to Volvo USA, Twin Farms now has two luxurious 2024 Volvo XC90 Hybrids available for outings and exploration.

If you’re looking for an adventure beyond our beautiful setting, a lovely drive through the Vermont countryside — complete with a chef-created picnic — might be just the thing.

We request that our guests simply connect with our Guest Experience Team to make arrangements for use. The Volvos are loaned based on availability and may be enjoyed by reservation.

Seasonal Differences

No matter the time of year, Twin Farms presents countless opportunities for discovery and activity on its 300 pristine acres. But each season inspires a distinct feeling.

Our Warmer Month Field Notes and Cooler Month Field Notes help bring these seasonal experiences to life.

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FALL

The Twin Farms legacy revolves around fall’s unparalleled beauty: foliage in shades of red and gold, the hills bathed in crisp air, the promise of warmth and togetherness at the end of the day. “There will be apple trees and flaming lilies, and the moon over the low mountains and you and me, after dinner, sitting… on the terrace,” Sinclair Lewis wrote of his favorite hideaway, “And inside, when it becomes chilly, the fireplace and lamplight and lots of books.”

Wooden cottage with lights on at night time in snowy woods with mountains in the background

WINTER

Winter offers adventures on private, groomed trails with skis and snowshoes, or ice skating on our pond followed by hot chocolate and s’mores around a bonfire. A cozy evening starts with canapés and Champagne and continues with fine wine and comforting cuisine. Twin Farms offers everything you love about snowy weather, with none of the inconveniences.

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SPRING

With the coming of spring, a fresh palette, rich with green and the promise of warmth, provides the setting for bucolic — and sybaritic — diversions. Hike into the woods, spread out a blanket, and dine on a gourmet picnic. Later in the day, the pub’s atmosphere is festive with billiards, a crackling fireplace, and music from the jukebox.

SUMMER

Summer brings ideal mornings for fly fishing on glassy Copper Pond, sunny afternoons for exploring the estate on foot or bicycle, and languorous evenings of mint juleps and croquet on the lawn. Share stories on your private screened porch, accompanied by chilled glasses of wine and warm evening breezes.

Our History

Nobel Prize–winning author Sinclair Lewis proposed to journalist Dorothy Thompson right after first meeting her in 1927, and proposed over and over again until she finally relented the following year. She promised to marry him if he bought her a farm in Vermont with sweeping lawns, orchards, and “delicious air.” They found their idyll in a circa 1795 farmhouse on 300 acres — all of which they purchased in 1928 for $10,000.

They called the property Twin Farms, and would write, eat, walk, and entertain there. Their guest list included political and literary figures like H.L. Mencken and George Seldes, who lingered for provocative discussions, outdoor activities, and the couple’s legendary parties.

Dorothy kept Twin Farms until she grew frail and her family sold off parcels of the land, completing the final transaction in 1958. Subsequently, Twin Farms changed hands several times. It operated as Sonnenberg Haus, an inn with a reputation for fine dining, until Thurston Twigg-Smith, a businessman and philanthropist from Hawaii, acquired the property as a second home for his family in 1974.

By the late 1980s, the Twigg-Smiths found themselves able to visit Barnard only a few weeks a year, so they decided to share this special place with other people by launching a bed-and-breakfast. That quaint notion eventually evolved into one of the best small luxury hotels in North America.

The first nine rooms of Twin Farms opened in 1993, and grew over the years to include additional cottages, as well as the Farmhouse at Copper Hill and the Bridge House spa. Each expansion was greeted with accolades and acclaim, including the Forbes Five-Star rating. Though the ownership now includes several partners, guests continue to embrace Twin Farms — and Twigg-Smith’s vision of a sophisticated escape steeped in playful romance — as their own second home.

Responsible Hospitality

The Twin Farms definition of hospitality goes beyond enriching the guest experience. It represents our absolute commitment to our team members, our community, and the environment we are fortunate to serve in. Our mission is to help everyone achieve true and complete fulfillment. Our definition of the pinnacle of hospitality includes both large and small efforts to operate sustainably and reduce our environmental impact.

We are fortunate to be located in rural Vermont, one of the most beautiful and pristine corners of the world. Like all members of this special community, we have long felt a responsibility for everything that surrounds us: the water, the air, the wildlife… and the people. Our commitment goes beyond smart water management and carbon reduction: We work with local partners whenever possible, creating opportunities to strive, fostering long-term relationships, and instilling a sense of joint ownership of the place we call home.

Below are just a few ways that we try to practice Responsible Hospitality:

We support local artisans and other businesses, from Stave Puzzles and ShackletonThomas furniture and pottery to local contractors and vendors.

Policies

For your enjoyment of the property, facilities, and activities, we invite you to review our Activities Guidelines.

Children:

Twin Farms welcomes guests ages 14 years and older.

Pets:

Twin Farms welcomes dogs (up to two — maximum 100 lbs. each) in Log Cabin, Meadow, and Barn cottages for a $75 per day/per dog fee. We provide sleeping accommodations, blankets, treats, water and food bowls, and waste cans. We do not provide dog food. Please let us know before arrival if your furry companions will be joining us, so we can share our guidelines to ensure their comfort, as well as those of our employees and your fellow guests. Additional Details

Service Animals:

In order to help us prepare for your stay and best serve you, we require that you notify us if you will be traveling with a service animal before arrival. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. For more information on ADA guidelines for service animals, click here.

Smoking:

In Vermont, the Clean Indoor Air Act bans the smoking of tobacco products in nearly all common areas of indoor “places of public access.” This includes any place of business that serves the public or that the public has access to use – both public and privately owned and for profit or not-for-profit organizations.

Gratuities:

Twin Farms has had a long-standing tradition of discouraging gratuities.  Recently however, guests have increasingly requested a way to recognize our staff’s dedication and contribution to their stay, and to that end, we have developed a way to do so.  Please know that our team in no way expects guests to leave a gratuity.  That being said, should you wish to do so,  a discrete opportunity to include a gratuity upon departure, will be provided. Gratuities will be shared entirely amongst our hourly paid staff. 

For reservations and details, please contact our 24 hour front desk by calling 1-802-234-9999 or e-mailing info@twinfarms.com

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Gift certificates are currently unavailable for purchase. However, you will be able to purchase them again starting May 5th, 2023. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
In compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order for the state of Vermont, Twin Farms is able to welcome reservations, for stays from June 16th onward..

If you have a reservation before June 16th, our team will be reaching out to you, in the meantime, if we can be of any assistance whatsoever, please contact us at
802-234-9999.
Warmest greetings from the Team at Twin Farms,
Twin Farms is committed to the constant improvement of our guest and staff experiences.
View Our Renovation Notice
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