Snuggle Up at Highwood Retreat

Think about snuggling together with your honey underneath cozy blankets on an expensive mattress, the crackling fireplace within the wooden range staving off the brisk mountain air. You pull again the covers and slip in your comfortable waffle gown and put together a cup of locally-roasted pour-over espresso utilizing the electrical kettle and carry it out onto the porch deck to soak up the morning mist nonetheless clinging to the meadow and the hills past. You flip and pull again the flap of your tent…

Wait, what? Sure, you simply learn tent. However I’m not speaking about customary tent tenting (clearly). Nope, I’m speaking about Highwood Retreat, one of many latest and most luxurious locations to go glamping in Vermont.

I’ve gone glamping throughout New England, and I can let you know that Highwood Retreat gives one thing particular. It combines the design aesthetic and considerate touches of a boutique lodge with an off-grid peace and quiet that’s powerful to acquire with out trekking into the backcountry.

If you’re searching for a romantic getaway in Vermont or in want of a peaceable nature retreat, let me let you know about my latest expertise at Highwood Retreat. It could be simply the factor you might be trying to find.

Tamara looking up at Highwood Retreat glamping tent

Table of Contents

About Highwood Retreat

Highwood Retreat is a luxurious camp in Southern Vermont, which opened in late 2022 and has been promoting out ever since. It’s the brainchild of Sam Parsons and Katharine Mangold, who traded the lights of Hollywood for the Inexperienced Mountains of Vermont with a dream of constructing a nature retreat not like another. There’s at the moment one luxurious safari tent lodging at Highwood Retreat, however two extra treehouse-like constructions are deliberate and there’s loads of house so as to add extra types of glamping lodging sooner or later.

The off-grid glamping tent was handbuilt by Sam, who quickly realized all about putting in photo voltaic panel batteries and composting bogs to create a glamping expertise that had all of the facilities anticipated by discerning visitors. In the meantime, Kat hand chosen the finishes, which might look simply as at house in one in all Vermont’s most interesting inns. Collectively, they supplied the nice and cozy hospitality you anticipate from a rustic mattress and breakfast, from the quad experience out to the glamping spot from the visitor parking, to morning breakfast basket deliveries of freshly baked croissants.

Glamping in Vermont: Highwood Retreat Evaluate

Word: My keep at Highwood Retreat was complimentary to be able to facilitate this overview. I’m sharing my sincere opinion about my keep.

Tamara sitting on porch of Highwood Retreat glamping tent in Vermont

Highwood Retreat’s luxurious canvas tent might not have all of the facilities of another glamping resorts (just like the attractive rain bathe at Terramor or the Nordic saunas of Lumen Nature Retreat), nevertheless it gives one thing that you just gained’t discover at many others — privateness. Even when one tent expands to 3, there will probably be ample house and unblemished views in order that nobody will really feel crowded.

Belief me once I say that the solitude is particular. It’s possible you’ll be a bit of nervous being on the market in nature on their own, however the peace and quiet is simply the pressured disconnect and rest that’s so arduous to search out in day after day life.

Lodging at Highwood Retreat

Bed and chairs inside the Highwood Retreat tent

Not like many glamping tents which might be constructed simply off the bottom on a wooden platform, the luxurious safari tent at Highwood Retreat has been raised as much as the tree line, providing views and a singular nature expertise. You attain the tent by means of a five-minute stroll alongside a gravel path by means of a wooded land bridge and throughout a tranquil meadow, though Sam or Kat will fortunately transport you and your baggage at test in and take a look at.

A set of stairs leads as much as a big deck, that includes two umbrella-shaded lounge chairs, a bistro desk and chairs with a patio heater, and an out of doors cooler in your drinks and perishables. One other quick set of stairs brings you to the tent’s porch and a good looking viewpoint throughout the glade.

Bistro table on deck of Highwood Retreat

Lounge chairs on porch of Highwood Retreat

The within of the tent resembles a beautiful New England inn room, it simply lined with canvas as a substitute of stable partitions and a roof. As quickly as you unzip the flaps, your eyes are instantly drawn to the plush mattress, with its tall wood headboard, which has been outfitted with Brooklinen’s Luxe Sateen Sheets, an over-stuffed down comforter, layers of soppy quilts, and an electrical mattress heater that can maintain you cozy on even the chilliest nights.

In entrance sit two outsized upholstered chairs in a luxe gold velvet, all perched on a good looking woven carpet. As your eyes transfer across the room, you quickly discover a number of the different touches, just like the minimize crystal water cooler, the electrical gooseneck kettle and pour-over carafe sitting subsequent to small canisters of tea, recent floor espresso, and accompaniments.

Two nightstands sit beside the mattress, every with a small gentle and retailers for charging your units. That’s proper, the tent is off-the-grid however you continue to have electrical energy due to the photo voltaic panels out entrance. Simply don’t deliver a hair dryer or curling iron, as these will not be allowed. I’d additionally depart your pc at house since there isn’t any WiFi supplied however cell service is greater than ample for staying linked if wanted. The tent is heated by a small wooden range within the nook, and a full provide of firewood is simply exterior the door. A heater can be supplied within the winter, making Highwood Retreat a year-round retreat.

The extra time you spend cozied up within the tent, the extra you discover the opposite positive touches such because the recent flowers on the small desk and a bookcase with a curated assortment of books and collectibles. The again of the tent is sectioned off by a partial wall and curtains. One aspect results in a closet space, with a garments hanging rack and splendid touches comparable to two waffle robes, rubber bathe sandals, further blankets, and sizzling water bottles to deliver to mattress.

On the opposite aspect you can find the lavatory. Whereas there isn’t any operating water on the tent, the compostable rest room doesn’t emit any odor and a big water dispenser is perched on the sink to supply water for laundry your arms and brushing your enamel. This and the water within the beverage space may be replenished with water deliveries if wanted.

The lavatory additionally has a small self-importance with a mirror together with requirements like lotion, cotton swabs, and physique wipes. You might have observed that I didn’t point out a shower or bathe. That’s as a result of the bathe is definitely exterior. Whereas rustic and pure, the out of doors bathe facility nonetheless pays shut consideration to element. An armoire holds recent fluffy towels and there are full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and physique wash. Not solely are there loads of hooks for towels and garments, there’s even a mirror and a bench for dressing.

robe and hangers with blankets on a shelf

All through the property you can find battery-powered lanterns, which you might be welcome to deliver with you to gentle your path in the event you plan on returning to the tent after darkish. Exterior the tent, additionally, you will discover a picnic desk and a small fireplace ring circled by benches and tiki torches, creating a beautiful out of doors house to benefit from the pure setting.

Room Service

That’s proper. Room service. To a glamping tent. Now that was a primary. I’ve stayed at glamping resorts that supplied lodges with eating places or meals trailers, others that supplied meal kits that you could possibly cook dinner your self over a hearth or camp range. However whereas Highwood Retreat doesn’t have any cooking capabilities, they do have a small room service menu that’s excellent for the setting.

Breakfast basket with orange juice carafe

You’ll be able to select from an intensive drink menu of flask cocktails, bottles of wine, and native beers and ciders. There’s additionally an unimaginable cheese and charcuterie board providing, with some scrumptious Vermont cheddar in fact. Or, in the event you exit to dinner you’ll be able to all the time benefit from the s’mores equipment over the hearth later. The morning breakfast basket gives a alternative of a bagel, freshly baked croissant, or different baked good with a carafe of freshly-squeezed orange juice.