The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa Review

Wonderful breakfast in the Tavern this morning. Great service and food.

See review of The Tavern. Brunch only Sunday before Christmas 2018.

Nice hotel resort made better by being on a large very green property...sweet in summer.

Great food and drinks, comfy booths, nice ambiance. Service was on the slow side, but not too bad, considering it was Mother's Day and they were busy.

Rooms are super cute. The pool is nice. Food is over priced for what it is.

We visit often for a quick bite in the bar area, and also at the restaurant. Last summer we spent the weekend and enjoyed the spa services.
The rooms are very disappointing for the price...we had a comforter that was soiled, had housekeeping bring us another, which was also stained.....pretty gross.

The rooms were beautiful, the food was beyond amazing and all of the staff were very helpful!

I ve never had anything less than a 5 star stay here. Not this time. Room smells of cig smoke, <br/>In room Kuerig coffee selection consists of <br/>BLUEBERRY,<br/>Newman s special DECAF<br/>Dark Magic DECAF<br/>and a couple teas.<br/>The generous FREE bottled water they offered was... empty. Pillows are SO thick and high I have a TERRIBLE sore neck today. No guide offered on Tellie makes it obnoxiously difficult to figure out what to watch. I have other issues too, but these are SUCH easy fixes, that there s really no excuse for them. <br/>The Essex has always been my go-to when in the area... not next time. Not at the price I paid for this room. <br/>No one should pay $330+/night and have ANYTHING other than a 5 star experience. <br/>

Looked nice but wouldn't hold a table for our friends when we came to visit...

Room felt like we were staying at somebody's home instead of a typical cookie cutter hotel room. Service was excellent.

This is more of a 3 star resort and not more. From the less than stellar service of reception where the check in is also a coffee shop to the lack of overall service, to the very poor state of the Manor rooms and the less than mediocre food at The Tavern, this is just not the same hotel it was years ago. The updated rooms in the main building are ok, clean and spacious with a loud HVAC system. There never seems to be anyone around that one can really talk to if unsatisfied with the service or room. After feeling very deceived after arriving at my so called suite in the Manor section of the hotel (which was a very dated room with stained wallpaper and an awful mouldy smell) no one at any time contacted me to apologize or ask what can be done to make us happy. We were moved in a regular room in the main building and that was that - the extent of their efforts. There is simply no longer anything inviting about this hotel for us other than The Junction restaurant (not to be confused with the sub par Tavern restaurant which is less than mediocre). The Junction restaurant is worth the trip and the money - the staff and food - top notch! We will stay at a different hotel in the future but surely make our way to The Junction for great food.

This is a very nice place they have a pool and the hotel rooms are pretty big, they also have a spa for anyone. Also if you come with kids it's a good pool to teach them how to swim if they don't know how. Also this place has
beautiful sunsets.

Its nice,but for its price you would expect more amenities. I was very disappointed there was no mini fridge or microwave. Some hotels on this level leave free bottles of water for guests, but not this one. You can get a better bang for your buck elsewhere.

My Guy Ricky was the best, 25 minute massage with arnica upgrade, focused on back. My girlfriend got the 50 minute Swedish with CBD oil lavender upgrade, given the bottle of massage oil afterwards....then go to the tavern for a mimosa and coffee

Attended an event at the essex. Was a great experience the staff was terrific.

Absolutely amazing massage! Had a hot stone massage from Carly and she a great job working around an injury I had sustained as well as tried a few things to help relieve the pain. Great experience! I will definitely return.

Food was pretty good, but not spectacular. Accommodations were satisfactory, but again nothing special for the price. The amenities are not as expected and the spa staff was inattentive and unhelpful, along with excessive chlorine in the pool and spa tub to the point of discomfort.

Swim Lesson's with Annie at the pool, are very convenient.

Rooms were big and comfortable. We did have a problem with flies in the room but it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed the stay and specially the tunnels to walk to classes and main buildings midst snow.

Beautiful location with a covered patio area. Quick, friendly service and a nice selection of food and local brews.

Great in every way possible staff,food, atmosphere...great way for a city slicker to unwind and take a break

My wife and I stayed here for one night and we loved it. We would absolutely come back. We had breakfast at the Tavern, and it was a bit underwhelming, especially for a culinary resort. Other than that we loved our stay.

Absolutely beautiful resort. Cooking class was beyond worth every penny. Highly recommend.

Comfort in dining and atmosphere has a calming effect. The food was wonderful but i expected the presentation to be top notch which it was not. More of a personal touch with the chef cutting the NY sirloin steak individually as we were going through the line. Staff were amazing and friendly. I would go again.

Okay get over the 20 buck resort fee the place has an insane range of beers on tap plus some crazy good food in the junction restaurant if you like wines or hard liquor they have a good range there too and if after the libations and food you need to sleep the beds are wonderful to sleep on. love the place if you haven't gathered

Room was ok, not more. However, we try to go eat at the Tavern and the service was terrible. We wait around 10 minutes to get a table which is ok, but when we get the table no body came to us for almost 20 minutes of waiting. We decided to leave and no server's realize we are leaving. Very terrible service!

Went for Vermont restaurant week brunch bash. It seemed like a very nice event space. Will definitely go back for their cooking classes.

Hampton Inn gives free cookies but apparently a $302/night resort can't afford 2 cookies without running my credit card, there's no way they weren't going in someone's gullet or the garbage before the next day...thanks for staying!

Food and drinks were amazing and the decor was great. Unfortunately the service left much to be desired.

Amazing service, beautiful setting, the food is outstanding. Highly recommend it

Beautiful resort. Private. Staffs are professional.

Beautifully appointed culinary themed rooms, comfortable beds, and excellent staff. Would definitely visit again.

Attended a bridal show. They had good vendors and a relaxing atmosphere.

Beautiful place, the room was very spacious and the beds very comfortable.

Didn t even get to stay at this hotel! I had called before booking to see if I would he able to stay because I was looking at colleges and I m 17. I was told yes and that it was fine, but the day before coming I wanted to double check so I didn t drive 4 hours for nothing. The first last was very kind but she said I wouldn t be able to as you can see my frustration I asked to speak to a manager. He was extremely rude and disrespectful and accused me of lying. I then talked to his boss that was also extremely rude and disrespectful. When I first called before booking I noticed They weren t super friendly but chopped it up to just having a bad day. However, this is the 4th time falling and they were rude all 4 times. I would not recommend because there staff clearly does not know what they re doing and they are extremely disrespectful to customers.

Super chiq, renovated, comfortable and stylish! Color schemes and cleanliess beyond! Full spa, culinary themed, nails, sauna, hot tub and two pools! Best part is the hot tub both outside and inn! Super romantic and sexy. Olympic size pool lol, and the culinary classes as well as the two restaurants were awesome

Great place. Family fun or romantic getaway, fun for all.

Private function, meals were mediocre.. finding your e around the facility is difficult.

My 95 year old mother and I were rudely attacked by the manager as I helped my mother to a table. She registered us in the receptionist computer then demanded we register again on paper to enter. I had to stop assisting mom who has a very difficult time standing and walking. After I signed in she began lecturing us about contact tracing raising her voice and talking over me. I asked her to let me finish my sentence about understanding that and I thought we had signed in twice. She stated I can choose to deny you entry. My mother said how childish and we exited. When I spoke to the General Manager Mike he stated that they already wrote a report without hearing my side and that we should consider not returning. He had no compassion for my mother and defended this rude manager, did not consider my side and kept talking over me just as the restaurant manager did. The staff is generally nice but management seems to be cut out of the same mold. I have heard similar comments from others about management.

We very much enjoyed our long week end at the Essex. The food was epic and the Spa was super relaxing. I would go back here in a minute!

My son was there doing the climbing and ropes courses for a camp there he had a blast.

We loved the entire experience! My wife and I both love to cook and this trip nurtured the foodie in us both! Highly suggest the cooking classes.

Their rooms are fine, and I love their food as well. However I wouldn t spend the money going to their spa, very overpriced for the even better quality professional services that they offer, you can get at other local providers of half the cost of you drive up to Burlignton. I guess you pay for convenience if you are staying there...

Beautiful, beyond anything I could imagine! Rooms, food was amazing, service was highest level. Would recommend highly!

LOVE this place....cozy, clean. Great staff, great food and great amenities

Love the serenity of the rooms. Junction and the Tavern are excellent! Spa is amazing but way too expensive! We're in VT folks not Boston or NYC. Grounds are always beautiful!

Overall unpleasant experience with touches of positive
- asked for a pet-friendly room upon booking. none available when we arrived. Lady was rude about it as if we inconvenienced her.
- No wine and chocolates in our room upon arrival. Were treated as if we were lieing when asked about it. Left outside of room while we were eating at the restaurant.
- Items forgotten from our room service meal Saturday
- Wrong name written down for appointments at spa. almost missed appointments.
- Food took 2 hours to arrive at spa, half of it missing.

The positives are 2 bartenders at the pub were incredible, the food was really good, room was clean

While it could of been a lovely experience, for the price it did not meet any of our expectations and we won't be staying in the future or recommending it to friends who have been asking about our weekend trip

Great place to stay. Clean, interesting decor, close to Burlington.

Great deal for a room that's only 20 minutes outside of Burlington.

Upon arrival we were greeted with a smile and the check in process was quick and easy. The rooms were clean and spacious. The soaps were good quality and the maid was very friendly and helpful.

Unironically some of the nicest bathrooms I've ever been in. 10/10

Service was fine, very polite staff, my meal was good (I had the ribs), however we came with a party of 11 and 4 of us got the Jumbo Shrimp... it was the worst shrimp we have eaten at a restaurant, period. More like frozen normal size shrimp, but it wasn t just the shrimp, it was the awful rice and corn side that came with it... woof, take it off them menu please! It s a shame because this place has so much potential, however to fail so hard on one of their main expensive dishes, it seemed like quite a rip off for something I could have found in the grocery store frozen section, but that would still have been better. Please up your game!!!

Such delicious food and a casual fun dinning experience

Great staff and atmosphere. I've never had a bad dish here. Very creative and delicious!

Rooms are well appointed, staff is helpful. Every meal at our event is luke warm. I know buffets can be tough but hot food should be served hot.

I attended a fundraiser at The Essex. The food was good, not great. The atmosphere however was fun and the staff was friendly!

Nearly everything was great - The Spa, the food, the staff. The only downside is the walls are paper thin and you can hear anything around you. This is unfortunate when the room above you walks around at three AM, or across the hall has a dog they leave in their room which barks for hours on end. One small issue, but I can imagine for some people it may be a very large issue.

We stay often at the Essex inn. Absolutely love the rooms, pool, tavern etc. But... This was the one weekend where they just seemed too busy to be perfect. Simple example, the waitress forgot our silverware and disappeared for a bit. The coffee pots were empty in the morning and folks were standing around waiting.. As I said, small things. But compared to the usual excellent service, it was just noticeable. I am absolutely sure we will go back. And I'm sure the coffee will be plentyful. But this weekend they get 4 stars (really 4.5). Don't hesitate to book this place. You will see the difference from other hotels and inns.

Ughhhh I feel so bad writing this but... So my afternoon at the spa was 10/10. My dinner at the Tavern at the Essex CULINARY Resort and Spa was an insult to the word culinary. When I order a chicken entree I expect to get fresh chicken NOT once frozen chicken cutlets that look like the chicken they put on your subway sub. It was SOOO TERRIBLE!!! However, the waitress was graceful and was somewhat able to salvage my day by bringing me a perfectly cooked burger instead.

It s my 3rd time eating here and my 3rd time being severely disappointed by the food.

You guys have SOOO MUCH potential, please do yourselves a favor and work on your food or don t call yourselves a CULINARY Resort.

Despite them forgetting to buzz me when my table was available, we were too busy drinking at the bar to notice when they informed us. Food and service were great.

Great pub and restaurant. Very clean and tidy room. Make reservations well in advance for the culinary restaurant.

Location was convenient but they place had a certain musk to it

Pretty good spa.
The steam and hot tub do the job.
The sauna doesn't seem to be used much and takes a while to heat up.
I just use the spa.
Spa is included with a massage. I don't go as often as I used to. I think there was a management change in 2010 or 2011. A TV was installed in the men's lounge and it Blair's constantly. Really intrudes on peace . I've shut it off but the next time I walk thru it's blaring again.
The water is hot in the tub, steam room works great, the upstairs lounge is great. Quiet and relaxing. Bring headphones just in case so you can cancel out unwanted conversations.
Wish there were more options closer to downtown Burlington.

Essex resort and spa is a great place to relax and get away from the real world. Great facilities and friendly staff.

Brilliant place. The spa was magical, the tavern is a great restaurant. Rooms were awesome. Vermont is amazing!! It was -2^ and we still loved it!!

I really looked forward to a four day get away after my aunt died. However, the service was not good throughout my stay. The table was not set, serving did not occur, food not hot, food mediocre. The room was OK but noisy and I specifically asked for a quiet room as I have a hearing problem which makes me a light sleeper. Generally, everyone seemed to have no idea what excellent service means or even mediocre service never mind outstanding cuisine. I would have been just as well off stopping at a Whole Foods and staying at a Homewood Suites that had an indoor pool. The pool was not clean and when I told the front desk no one seemed to care. No change was made while I was there. I cannot recommend this place. It is unfortunate because New England could use a spa for adults with culinary excellence. This isn't it. A waste of money and no feeling of being cared about or treated as a guest. Easier to go to California and stay at the Post Ranch Inn.

Great food and accommodations definitely will be returning.

Lovely! Beautiful, professional and friendly staff!

Beautiful culinary resort with amazing food. Our friends are having a wedding there this summer.