Editors’ Choice Award: Stone Hill Inn is a Couples Retreat That Rejuvenates Relationships

Some romantic types want to propose to their partner in an outdoorsy setting and then stay and celebrate the relationship milestone in luxurious lodgings. Stone Hill Inn, a woodsy inn in Stowe, Vermont, helps those partners propose and relax during an intimate weekend getaway.

Before they arrive, guests can plan a proposal with the proprietors, Kristie and Todd Roling, who help dozens of couples pop the question and get married each year. Kristie and Todd suggest a proposal at the back of the inn, near a beautiful waterfall.

“In the back, we have a big waterfall with double Adirondack chairs. People often get married or propose there,” Kristie told us.

Couples can book a romantic stay at Stone Hill Inn in the Vermont woods.

Couples can also take advantage of the inn’s award-winning Signature Romance 2-Night package. The package includes an in-room couple’s massage, roses, champagne, locally made truffles, and dinner at Michael’s on the Hill, voted the most romantic restaurant in Vermont.

They could stay in the Fiddlehead room, a spacious, private room with a four-poster bed, double-sided fireplace, a jacuzzi for two, and a large secluded garden patio.

Kristie said that dozens of couples get engaged at Stone Hill Inn each year, and she helps many couples plan small weddings or elopements.

Since it was established, Stone Hill Inn has been a place where couples can reconnect and celebrate their relationships. The inn is a couples-only retreat, and the hotel’s culture reflects that.

“Our niche is a romantic inn. From the beginning, we’ve always just had couples,” said Kristie.

A Beautiful Setting for a Proposal or Wedding

There aren’t many couples-only inns in the United States, and Stone Hill Inn offers a modern feel that younger couples of all backgrounds enjoy. About 90% of the inn’s guests are between 25 and 45, which isn’t the typical bed-and-breakfast demographic.

The Stone Hill Inn operators — including Kristie, Todd, and one other staff member — center every moment of a couple’s stay on romance.

Couples who are short on time can choose the Romantic Getaway 1-Night Package, and receive truffles and champagne in their room, along with late checkout the next day.

Alternately, partners can opt for the Sip, Savor, and Swoon 2-Night Package, during which they’ll make s’mores at the on-site fire pit, enjoy gourmet wine and cheese charcuterie on the second night, and explore one of Stowe’s local breweries.

Stone Hill Inn offers intimate spaces that are perfect for proposals.

The inclusive packages prepare couples for romance, which is likely why they celebrate so many relationship milestones at the inn. Stone Hill Inn is situated on 10 acres of private forest, and Kristie and Todd have created a walking path designed for proposals.

“We made a path through our woods for hiking, snowshoeing, or walking. There are little alcoves for picnics or to propose,” Kristie said.

Those who want to have a woodsy proposal can even purchase a wine and cheese platter to put in a backpack for their excursion.

Guests can plan a unique proposal with the inn’s Adventure and Romance Dog Sledding Package. Partners embark on a two-hour dog sledding adventure before setting up with a wine and cheese platter and two nights at the inn afterward.

Explore the Outdoors in Stowe, Vermont

Many couples who visit the inn want to experience nature in an area known for its year-round beauty.

“We add romance to your adventure,” Kristie said.

For instance, the dining room where couples eat breakfast each day is what Kristie describes as a snow globe. The room’s many windows offer views of the woods outside, which look particularly stunning when it’s snowing. Many guest rooms have patios and floor-to-ceiling windows, as well.

Couples often enjoy watching the wildlife they can see from the inn.

“We have bears, a fox family, and all kinds of animals. We’ve had guests go sit in the woods to see the baby foxes come out of their foxholes,” Kristie said.

Kristie and Todd said they plan to develop these woods so couples have more opportunities for hiking, and communing with nature.

Couples can experience nature in any season at Stone Hill Inn.

The inn offers many nearby opportunities for exploring the outdoors, as well. Couples can walk along a path that ends at the Stowe Community Church, an iconic and historic building with a tall, white spire. The other end of the path takes couples across a covered bridge.

“You can walk it, snowshoe it, or bike it, depending on the season,” Kristie said.

Some couples staying at the inn take advantage of Stowe’s skiing during the winter months. The Stowe Mountain Resort is four miles away and offers exhilarating alpine skiing.

Once couples finish with their excursions outside, the inn offers plenty of activities, as well. They can make s’mores in the firepit or play pool and board games in the game room, where they can have intimate conversations or even spark friendships.

“Our couples often meet the other guests and become friends,” Kristie said.

Stone Hill Inn: Cultivating a Modern, Romantic Atmosphere

Stone Hill Inn has felt the impact of limited travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the team has implemented procedures that make staying at the inn safer for couples.

One employee is an expert at cleaning and COVID-19 safety procedures, while Kristie and Todd have taken Vermont COVID-19 training to ensure their establishment’s compliance with state health regulations.

“We are super safe, but we try not to make it in your face with signs or being stern,” she said.

The ability to create a safe, intimate atmosphere for couples is what gives Stone Hill Inn such a sterling reputation. One couple said they love the inn so much that they visit four or five times each year.

Many couples come back to Stone Hill Inn time and again.

“We have a couple in their late 60s who has been here 37 times over the years. They’re our favorite couple!” said Kristie with a laugh.

The inn’s small team helps Kristie and Todd make meaningful connections with guests. The Rolings are often involved in helping couples or those who wish to propose plan their special relationship moments.

“We set up weddings and the proposals. Everyone who comes here is always excited and wowed. That makes us feel good,” Kristie said.

Even though couples already love Stone Hill Inn, the team isn’t finished making improvements to the grounds.

“Our goal is to improve this place even more than when we bought it. We want to be good stewards of this inn because it’s a niche place. There aren’t a lot of couples-only inns that focus on luxurious hospitality and romance,” Kristie said.