This lodging guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
Picture your perfect summer getaway: friends gathered around a fire pit after a day of tennis, families lounging by a heated saltwater pool while kids explore acres of manicured grounds, and groups spreading out across historic cottages that feel like your own private estate. This isn't a fantasy - it's exactly what happens when guests discover the Inns of Dorset, where "Vermont's own small resort" delivers that magical grown-up summer camp experience to the entire family.
Just six miles from Manchester's bustling outlets and restaurants, Dorset offers something distinctly different: an authentic Vermont village where marble sidewalks lead to white clapboard buildings, and hospitality feels genuinely personal. "People come here and say, I feel like I've just stepped into something special," says Renee Wymer, who helps manage the collection of distinctive properties. Here, multiple properties for every type of guest and group, create the perfect base camp for your Southern Vermont adventure.
The beauty of the Inns of Dorset lies in their ability to accommodate any group configuration imaginable. Whether you're planning a multigenerational family reunion, a girls' getaway, or a romantic escape, the staff excels at matching guests with their ideal accommodations across four distinct property types.
For the Classic Vermont Experience: The Dorset Inn stands as Vermont's longest continuously operating inn, offering elegantly appointed guest rooms in a building that has welcomed travelers since 1796. The rooms feature period charm with modern amenities, and the inn's prime position directly across from both the Dorset Union Store and the charming Dorset Library (complete with resident pugs) puts you at the absolute heart of village life. Step out your front door and you're instantly immersed in Dorset's walkable charm.
For the Resort Experience: Barrows House sprawls across six acres as a true small resort with a delightful story to tell. Originally built in 1804 as the pastor's house of the nearby Stone Church on the Green, today it houses 27 guest rooms and suites scattered across eight enchanting buildings. The main inn holds eight upstairs rooms, while the remaining accommodations occupy wonderfully converted outbuildings that spark the imagination - stay in the former blacksmith's cottage where iron was once forged, the elegant stables that now house luxury suites with soaring ceilings, or the whimsical former chicken coop transformed into a cozy retreat. Each space tells its own story while providing authentic historic character seamlessly balanced with modern amenities like air conditioning, fireplaces, and spa-quality bathrooms.
For Group Getaways: The 1880 House offers whole-house rental accommodations perfect for larger groups, sleeping up to 14 guests in a stunningly restored historic farmhouse setting with multiple bedrooms and common areas for gathering.
For Varied Group Needs: The Guest Houses collection offer an impressive range of options located throughout the village. Church Street Cottage features three bedrooms including a King Master Suite, plus a screened porch and fully equipped kitchen for those wanting a home-away-from-home feel. For truly spectacular gatherings, Seven Springs House sits on 70 private acres with five bedrooms, multiple living areas, floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing mountain views, and an optional barn that can accommodate four additional guests - making it ideal for family reunions or special celebrations.
Here's where the Inns of Dorset truly shine: their room configurations work for real groups, not just the standard hotel setup.
Planning a girls' getaway weekend? The lower level of Bluejay cottage at Barrows House offers three king rooms, each with its own ensuite bath, plus a common living room where you can gather for morning coffee, afternoon wine, and late-night conversations. The wood-burning fireplace (complete with kindling and firewood service) creates the perfect backdrop for reconnecting with friends.
Traveling with family? Properties like Cardinal Retreat include separate spaces with fold-out sofas - perfect for kids while giving parents their own retreat. Multiple cottages offer exactly what multigenerational families need: private rooms for everyone with shared common areas that feel like your own vacation house.
For couples traveling together, several buildings provide the ideal setup: individual suites with shared outdoor spaces, pool access, and tennis courts just steps away - creating the perfect setting for a romantic weekend away where you can enjoy both privacy and resort-style amenities.
What transforms these accommodations into something special is how they create that grown-up summer camp atmosphere. At Barrows House, the heated saltwater pool becomes the social hub, surrounded by tennis and pickleball courts where guests challenge each other to friendly matches, then cool off with poolside snacks. A convenient cabana features classic summer fare like ice cream sandwiches and cold drinks, plus you can order lunch from the amazing Dorset Bakery menu and they'll pick it up for you.
The pool house offers the perfect spot to grab refreshments between activities, while the courts provide endless entertainment. Tennis and pickleball equipment is provided for all Inns of Dorset guests, making it easy to start an impromptu game.
Common spaces throughout the properties invite gathering - lending libraries stocked with books and games, cozy living rooms with fireplaces for evening conversations, and outdoor terraces perfect for morning coffee or sunset cocktails.
All properties share a remarkable breakfast experience - full sit-down service where you order off the menu rather than face a typical hotel buffet. It's served each morning at either The Dorset Inn or Dorset Bakery, bringing together guests from across the collection to start their day properly fueled.
From any of the properties, you're perfectly positioned to explore some of Southern Vermont's best hiking. The Gettysburg Quarry Hike offers a nearly half-mile trek with 800 feet of elevation change, perfect for intermediate hikers seeking spectacular quarry views. For something easier, the Lower Prince Quarry takes just 30 minutes along mostly flat terrain to reach a peaceful viewpoint. Adventure seekers should tackle Gilbert Lookout - 1.6 miles with over 1,200 feet of elevation gain leading to views of the Adirondack Mountains.
For gentler pursuits, the 35-acre Pinnacle Forest provides perfect family-friendly walking, while Cutler Memorial Forest features quaint walking trails and a charming bridge crossing the Mettawee River - you can explore the entire property in about 45 minutes.
The village itself rewards exploration. H.N. Williams General Store might look like a simple gas station but plan at least an hour (or more!) to wander through the rambling space where you can buy everything from maple syrup and cozy sweaters to tractor parts and horse feed - plus they make some out-of-this-world lunches! The Dorset Union Store also offers excellent sandwiches and local products, while the village green provides the perfect spot for picnics or simply soaking in that quintessential Vermont atmosphere.
You'll immediately recognize how walkable and welcoming Dorset truly is. From your inn, you can stroll marble sidewalks to the village green, pop into the library or art gallery, catch a show at the renowned Dorset Theatre Festival (read more about that here), or simply wander the streets admiring the white clapboard architecture that defines authentic Vermont.
This accessibility means you can truly relax - park your car upon arrival and explore everything on foot. The village rewards this slower pace with unexpected discoveries: hidden gardens, historic markers, and those perfect photo opportunities that capture why people fall in love with Vermont.
Each property offers something different, but all deliver that elevated summer camp feeling that makes Dorset special. Whether you're drawn to The Dorset Inn's historic charm, Barrows House's resort amenities, the 1880 House's group-friendly setup, or the intimacy of the guest houses, you're choosing more than accommodation - you're choosing a temporary membership in one of Vermont's most authentic communities.
Reserve ahead for late summer and early fall - this is prime time in Vermont, when weather is perfect for outdoor activities and fall foliage begins to really show off. Call directly to discuss your group's needs; the personal service starts with that first conversation about finding your perfect match.
Ready to experience Vermont's own small resort? Visit Inns of Dorset to explore all four properties and find your perfect Dorset escape.
This lodging guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
