Outbound Stowe Review: A Retro Vermont Motel Reinvented for Outdoor Lovers

Set among the woods in Northern Vermont, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Stowe—arguably the birthplace of modern snowboarding and an undisputed beacon of all things natural and beautiful in New England—you’ll find a new kind of boutique basecamp for outdoor adventurer, the recently opened Outbound Stowe.

The newest location in the Outbound Hotels roster of properties ranging from retro-inspired motel rooms to luxe tiny homes and modern A-frame cabins. Outbound first launched in 2023 with Jackson Hole and Mammoth Lakes. Next up is Outbound Yosemite, set to open in Oakhurst, California some time in 2025.

On the cusp of peak fall season, I recently had the chance to spend two nights exploring the new Outbound Stowe property, which officially opened in July 2024. Read on for a deep dive into what I loved about the experience—and what could be improved—to hopefully help you decide whether to take a trip yourself.

Outbound Stowe Review: What You Can Expect

On-site at any Outbound you travel to, you’ll find plenty of room to roam. Scenic outdoor areas and gathering spaces, giant communal fire pits, diverse room types and sizes, and Outbound-owned restaurants and bars—all within easy reach of nearby nature and local culture. I was specifically impressed by the size of the property and the diversity of amenities and accommodations. Huge pool, huge grassy meadow, and stellar access to local trails.

Outbound transforms old, jaded spaces into totally reimagined concepts—from expansive remodels into new hotel room configurations. It was hard to see that at Outbound Stowe, since everything felt so new and clean (almost a little cookie-cutter at times). The aesthetic styling leans “modern Scandinavian” in a way that’s simple, minimalist, and draws on a connection to nature.

The rooms, communal spaces, and amenities capture the spirit of the local community and aim to stay true to the property's original architecture. For example, the Outbound Stowe reception concept transformed a Schitt’s Creek-esque motel lobby into a cozy living room atmosphere steeped in Danish design. The thoughtful curation of decor reflects the unique character and history of Stowe, like an oil painting that nods to a heart-string-tugging story of two local golden retrievers, among retro ski posters. These touches made for a nostalgic ski-lodge-meets-country-club vibe that Stowe is known and loved for.

Accommodations and A-frame Cabins

Outbound Stowe features over 70 guest rooms across four buildings, including Classic Rooms in the renovated motel, a pole barn-style building with Deluxe King Rooms, and several two-story King Loft Suites overlooking a picturesque grassy meadow. You can also rent a private Three-Bedroom Cottage decked out with two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a fireplace. Or, you can opt for my favorite, one of the 13 stunning A-frame-inspired One Bedroom Cabins, which is where I pitched tent during my visit.

My favorite feature of the A-frame was by far the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. Even when indoors, the unobstructed view looking out over a forest-lined meadow and the West Branch of the Little River lets you feel like you’re a constant part of Stowe’s abundant nature, not separate from it. The A-frame also comes with a lot of privacy with a closed-door bedroom, which I’ve not had in the tiny cabins I’ve stayed at before, like Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway House).

Though I was slightly put off by poor wifi connectivity, but considering the property only recently opened, I’ll forgive the kinks yet to be ironed out.

What to See and Do Around Outbound Stowe

The best thing about Outbound Stowe is the easy access to adventure. The 5.5-mile Stowe Recreation Path is steps from the property and you can hike and mountain bike 35 miles of trail within Cady Hill Forest, just across the street. Come winter, skiers and snowboarders are within a 10-minute drive from the base of Stowe Mountain Resort. It’s also worth mentioning that famed Alchemist Brewery and downtown Stowe are each within a 15 minute walk, too.

During my stay, I chose to spend my time adventuring in Stowe, capped off with a 15-mile gravel bike loop (on a rented bike from nearby Ranch Camp) through the foothills around Mount Mansfield. Outbound’s locations made for extremely easy access to this day trip. The hardest part, of course, was Vermont’s notorious thigh-burning climbs, which I got to know well while both riding and walking my bike uphill. I earned the post-ride maple creemee at Red Barn Ice Cream Shop one mile away from my cabin door. A must if you’re in season.

It’s safe to say Outbound Stowe exceeded my expectations for a quick weekend getaway in Vermont, especially for a Stowe first-timer like me. Whether you’re a family that loves to spend time outdoors or a solo traveler who wants to get some epic mountain biking or skiing in, the Outbound Stowe offers a solid basecamp.

Rates start at $189 per night for standard hotel rooms, $249 for suites, and $539 for cabins and cottages.