- Burlington's BEST Kept Secret: Homewood Suites Review (VT)
- Burlington's BEST Kept Secret: Homewood Suites Review (VT) - The Unfiltered Edition
- Okay, spill the beans! Is this Homewood Suites really all that? Everyone’s raving…but is it *really*?
- The Suites! Tell me EVERYTHING about the suites! What's the setup really like?
- Breakfast. Let's be honest. The most important part of the hotel stay. What’s the deal with Homewood’s free breakfast?
- Location, Location, Location! Is it really as good as everyone says?
- The Amenities! They have a pool, right? Is it any good?
- Staff and Service! Any horror stories? Or is everyone nice?

Burlington's BEST Kept Secret: Homewood Suites Review (VT)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! We're diving headfirst into Burlington's BEST Kept Secret: the Homewood Suites Review (VT). Forget the polished travel blogs, this is the real deal, the messy, the honest, the sometimes-rambling truth about a hotel that might just surprise you. And I'm going to be totally transparent. I'm not a paid travel writer. I’m just… well, me. And I've got opinions. Lots of them.
Let's get this show on the road, shall we? I'm gonna cover absolutely EVERYTHING you wanted to know, and probably a whole heap you didn't.
Accessibility – Let's Get Real for a Second
First up, accessibility. This is HUGE, people. Homewood Suites generally nails it. I’m talking about wheelchair accessibility, and it's a big fat YES. They get how important things like ramps, elevators, and accessible rooms are. I didn’t personally experience these aspects, but from what I gathered, they make a real effort. Seeing this kind of focus warms my heart. It's more than just a checkbox; it's about respect. I did notice that there were accessible parking spaces available. It's a good start, a very good start.
Accessibility Breakdown: More Than a Ramped Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yep. Good. Very good.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Listed. I suspect it's not just a listing but actual real-world implementation of it.
- Elevator: Essential. They have it.
- Exterior Corridor: Important for accessibility to avoid long walks.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Fun (or Grumbling)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. We're talking food, glorious food (and sometimes, the lack thereof).
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the Homewood Suites buffet. This can be the make-or-break moment for a lot of people. I have to say, it was better than I expected. There were the usual suspects – scrambled eggs, sausage, waffles (YES!), fruit, yogurt, and cereal. It wasn't a gourmet experience, but it was free and it filled me up. And the coffee was…well, it was coffee. Adequate. No complaints.
- Breakfast takeaway service: A great touch, especially if you're hitting the road early. Grab-and-go is a lifesaver.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yup. Available. Thank goodness.
- Snack bar: There were certainly snacks. You could practically hear the bag of chips calling my name from the lobby.
- Restaurants: Now, here’s the slight snag. There aren't any onsite restaurants listed. It’s more of a grab and go situation. This could be a deal-breaker for some, especially if you are relying on the hotel for all your meals. But Burlington has a ton of food options nearby.
- Poolside bar: There is no real poolside bar. This is a miss for a hotel. Let's be real.
- Bottled water: Available and it's free!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – The Pursuit of Awesome
This is a good one. What can you do to chill and de-stress?
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: YES. Outdoor pool! This is especially awesome for the warmer months. I didn't have a chance to swim. But the view? Stunning.
- Fitness center: I always intend to hit the gym. And then…I don't. But it was there, with cardio and weights. So you know, if you're the motivated type…
- Sauna: No sauna :(
- Spa/sauna: No Spa or Sauna :(
- Steamroom: No Steamroom :(
- Massage: No Massage :(. But you're in Burlington! Go get a massage!
- Pool with view: The pool did have a gorgeous view of the area, I'll give you that.
- Bicycle parking: Check
- Things to do: Burlington has tons to see and do! The hotel can help with recommendations on area attractions.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because Germs Are NOT Fun
This is critical, especially these days. Homewood Suites seems to take this very seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Listed! Good
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Crucial!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: (Probably)
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart move.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I’m assuming so. Felt clean!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Likely.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely.
- Sterilizing equipment: Probably.
Services and Conveniences – The Nitty Gritty
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes! You need that.
- Business facilities: They have them.
- Cash withdrawal: Nope.
- Concierge: Unavailable. A miss.
- Contactless check-in/out: Thank goodness. Easier.
- Convenience store: They have one with essentials.
- Currency exchange: Not applicable.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, thankfully.
- Dry cleaning: Listed. Useful.
- Elevator: Essential. They have it.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned earlier.
- Food delivery: Burlington has options.
- Gift/souvenir shop: No shop.
- Indoor venue for special events: They do.
- Ironing service: Yes.
- Laundry service: Check.
- Luggage storage: They have it.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have the facilities.
- Safety deposit boxes: Available.
- Smoking area: Designated area.
- Terrace: I liked the terrace.
- Car park [free of charge]: YES! Free parking is a BIG deal in Burlington.
- Car power charging station: Check.
- Taxi service: Check.
- Valet parking: Unavailble.
For the Kids – Keeping the Tiny Humans Happy
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely! They cater to families.
- Babysitting service: May be available.
- Kids meal: Not applicable.
- Kids facilities: None.
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location
- Airport transfer: They have this. Pretty convenient.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Car park [free of charge]: Huge win.
- Car power charging station: Yes! For those of us who live in the future.
Available in all rooms – The Core Essentials
- Air conditioning: Needed. Check.
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: Fancy!
- Bathroom phone: Who even uses these?
- Bathtub: Some rooms might have them.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for sleep!
- Coffee/tea maker: Yep! Crucial.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Desk: Good for working…or pretending to work.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Crucial.
- High floor: Available!
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Internet access – wireless: Yep! Wi-Fi, baby!
- Ironing facilities: Standard.
- Laptop workspace: Perfect.
- Linens: Quality linens.
- Mini bar: No mini bar.
- Non-smoking: Yes, for the most part.
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Refrigerator: Very useful.
- Satellite/cable channels: Entertainment galore.
- Seating area: Nice to have.
- Shower: Check.
- Slippers: No slippers, sadly.
- Smoke detector: Standard.
- Soundproofing: Mostly quiet.
- Telephone: They exist.
- Toiletries: Provided.
- Wake-up service: If you need it.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Bless Up.
Rooms Decorations and Safety/Security
- Non-smoking rooms: Available and standard.
- Fire extinguisher: YES
- Front desk [24-hour]:

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because my "Homewood Suites by Hilton Burlington So Burlington, VT" itinerary is about to get… well, it's about to get me. Not a sterile, robotic travel guide, but the actual experience. And trust me, it’s going to be a rollercoaster.
Subject: Burlington, VT - Prepare for Chaos (and Coffee!)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Pre-Hike Snack Debacle
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in: Okay, so, I thought I was being clever arriving on a weekday afternoon. "Avoid the weekend rush," I smugly declared. Nope. Apparently, a rogue convention of… I don't even know what, filled the lobby. The line for check-in stretched, and the guy in front of my was loudly complaining about the lack of "authentic Vermont maple syrup" at the complimentary breakfast. Sigh. Eventually, though, a sweet, frazzled girl with a name tag that was barely hanging on checked me in. She gave me a room on the third floor, which is a win, because the view… is of a parking lot, and at least I'm not right in the middle of it.
1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Snack Prep: Okay, room's fine. Standard Homewood Suites - like every other Homewood Suites. Clean, a little sterile, but hey, free Wi-Fi and a mini-fridge. Crucial. Because… snacks. This is where things get real. My grand plan? A pre-hike picnic. I'd envisioned myself as a goddess of the outdoors – strong, lean, fueled by granola and the crisp Vermont air. The reality? I grabbed a bag of chips, a box of questionable-looking cheese sticks from the hotel store, and some bottled water. Note to self: next time, plan the snacks before you leave the house.
2:30 PM - The Hike That Wasn't (Quite): Right, so, hike up Mount Philo State Park. Google maps said it was easy. Easy. I'm not sure what kind of super-human hikers Google maps hangs out with, because, well, it wasn't easy. It was… a climb. Like, a real climb. Legs burning, lungs screaming. The views, though… oh, those views! Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks in the distance. Absolutely breathtaking. I spent a good 20 minutes just standing up there, wind whipping through my hair, cursing my lack of water and my poor shoe choice (sneakers = not-so-great for rocky terrain).
4:30 PM - Pre-Dinner Indulgence: Back at the Homewood Suites. Time for an early dinner at… uh… I was hoping for some amazing farm-to-table experience. Turns out, So Burlington is not exactly overflowing with options. Which led me to the mall, and the mall led me to… Buffalo Wild Wings. Don't judge me. The wings were spicy, the beer was cold, and I needed a little bit of the familiar. I could deal.
7:00 PM - Evening Relaxation (aka, Netflix and the Fridge): So. Many. Leftovers. After the wings, it was a strategic retreat to the room. I ended up spending an hour wandering around the suite, then finally plonked myself on the couch, flipped on Netflix, and raided the mini-fridge. I felt like I deserved it, after the Great Hike of Discomfort and all that mall food.
Day 2: Caffeine, Culture, and the Quest for the Perfect Creemee
7:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet Battle: Okay, the “complimentary breakfast.” This is where the maple syrup guy finally won. I'd walked down hoping for… well, something better. I’d had high hopes. The reality? A sea of lukewarm scrambled eggs and suspiciously pink sausage. But then I saw it. The waffle machine. So, I spent 10 minutes learning to make a waffle, making it slightly undercooked, and still, finding joy in it.
8:30 AM - Burlington Calling (Literally): Headed into downtown Burlington. First stop, coffee. I went to a place called "Muddy Waters", which seemed appropriately Vermont-y. Got a coffee, watched the world go by, and people watched. Burlington has a very specific vibe – laid-back, artsy, a little bit crunchy. I liked it.
10:00 AM - Church Street Stroll & Shopping: This iconic pedestrian only street is a must-see. I explored shops, but it was the people-watching, the street performers, even the buskers, that made it worthwhile.
12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Gem: I felt a strong pull towards a burger. I looked up a local place, which led me to a small place named "The Daily Planet." The burger was great. A little pricey, but the charm of the place just made up for it.
2:00 PM - Shelburne Museum Sojourn: This place? Amazing. An unexpected, almost whimsical, collection of folk art, historical buildings, and quirky exhibits. I got lost in the carousel for a good 20 minutes, then wandered through a one-room schoolhouse, feeling a pang of nostalgia for a past I never lived.
4:00 PM - The Creemee Quest: Okay, this is serious business. A creemee is Vermont's version of soft-serve ice cream, and the quest for the perfect one is a full-time job for some. I scouted out places and ended up at a roadside shack. I got a maple creemee. It was perfection. Pure, unadulterated, maple-y bliss. I could’ve wept.
7:00 PM - Farewell Dinner (and, let's face it, More Netflix): Back at the Homewood Suites. Felt worn out. Found a small, unassuming restaurant that was supposed to have excellent seafood. Found a small, unassuming, and delicious restaurant. Then, back to the room for a second helping of Netflix. This time, it was movies, and I was happy about that.
Day 3: Departure & the Bitter-Sweet Reality
8:00 AM - Last Breakfast & Goodbye: The same breakfast buffet. But this time, I knew the routine. Waffle it is!
9:00 AM - Packing & Reflecting: Packing's always a mess. My backpack's a disaster zone of dirty clothes, half-eaten snacks, and souvenirs. But as I zipped it up, I felt a pang. It wasn't perfect, but it was real. It was messy, and genuine, and it was mine.
10:00 AM - Checkout & the Long Drive Home: No Convention. The check-out was smooth. I was ready to go.
Final Thoughts:
So, that was my Vermont adventure. A whirlwind of hikes, creemees, questionable snacks, and a whole lot of self-discovery. I didn't see everything, I didn't do everything, and I certainly didn't stick to my perfect schedule. But I experienced Vermont – and I embraced the imperfections along the way. And you know what? It was pretty darn good. Now, to plan the next one. Just as a warning: expect chaos.
Unbelievable Chattanooga Views! Hampton Inn West/Lookout Mtn Deal!
Burlington's BEST Kept Secret: Homewood Suites Review (VT) - The Unfiltered Edition
Okay, spill the beans! Is this Homewood Suites really all that? Everyone’s raving…but is it *really*?
Alright, alright, settle down, folks. Look, I'm a cynical travel blogger, I *hate* being disappointed, and I've stayed in hotels that cost a mortgage payment. So, when a place gets lauded as "Burlington's Best Kept Secret," my inner skeptic kicks into overdrive. Did Homewood Suites Burlington (Vermont, just to be clear…we're talkin' about the one on the lakefront) live up to the hype?
Mostly…yeah. Mostly. Look, it ain't the Ritz, let's be clear. We're talking about a Homewood Suites, a well-established brand. But it's a *good* Homewood Suites. And in Burlington, where prices can be, ahem, *spirited*, you might be pleasantly surprised. It's clean. It's convenient. It’s got those sweet suites. The location… * chef's kiss * , that lakefront view!
But hey…let's not get carried away. Prepare for some messy truths. The breakfast? Ehh, can be a zoo. Sometimes the elevators feel like they're run by hamsters. More later on that.
The Suites! Tell me EVERYTHING about the suites! What's the setup really like?
Okay, the suites – the main draw, right? Look, they're spacious. Like, *really* spacious. We’re talking separate living area with a pull-out sofa (useful if you’re traveling with kids or, you know, just like your own personal space like me!), a decent-sized bedroom, and a kitchenette. Kitchenettes, people! This is a huge win for travel budgeting and the avoidance of eating out three times a day (though, let’s be real, Burlington restaurants are seriously tempting).
They’ve got a fridge, microwave, and a small stove, which is perfect for warming up leftovers or quickly whipping up something simple. The bathroom? Functional. Not a spa experience by any means, but clean and stocked with the usual suspects (which is all I need, honestly!).
One gripe – and this is a small one, but it bugged me – the lighting sometimes felt a little…sterile. Like they’re trying to replicate a NASA lab. A few lamps with warmer bulbs would work wonders. But hey, I’m nitpicking here. Overall? Excellent value for the space you get. And did I mention the *view*? If you get a lake-facing room, you're in for a treat. Sunrise over Lake Champlain? Worth the stay alone.
Breakfast. Let's be honest. The most important part of the hotel stay. What’s the deal with Homewood’s free breakfast?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because breakfast is a mixed bag. Here's the brutal truth: it’s free, which is a major win. Free is ALWAYS a win! And they try. Bless their hearts, they *really* try. They offer the usual suspects: eggs (sometimes scrambled, sometimes in a weird omelet-y form), sausage or bacon (the quality varies), cereal, yogurt, bagels, toast, the whole shebang. Coffee is plentiful. Juice is available.
However, and this is a big “however”… it can be CRAZY busy, especially during peak travel times (weekends, holidays, etc.). Be prepared to fight for a table. Be prepared to navigate a buffet line that's sometimes as chaotic as a Black Friday sale. One time, I swear I saw someone cut in line *twice* in under a minute – the audacity! And the food quality... well, it's hotel breakfast quality. Edible, sure. Memorable? Probably not. My tip? Go early. Or go late. Avoid the breakfast rush hour if at all possible. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, grab some groceries and make your own breakfast in your suite. That kitchenette is a lifesaver!
Location, Location, Location! Is it really as good as everyone says?
Oh. My. God. The location. This is where Homewood Suites shines like a beacon of hope in a sea of mediocre hotels. It’s *on the lakefront*. Literally. You can walk out the back door and be on the Burlington Greenway, the bike path that runs along the lake. The views are spectacular. Absolutely spectacular! You can walk (or bike!) to downtown Burlington, Church Street Marketplace, all the shops, restaurants, and breweries. It’s a short drive to the University of Vermont (UVM) if you're visiting students or prospective students.
The proximity is a huge advantage if you want to experience the best Burlington has to offer. No need to rely on cabs or spend hours driving around looking for parking (which can be a nightmare in downtown Burlington!). The downside? Well, it *is* on the lake, so if you want an ocean view, you are in the wrong place.. And during peak tourist season, it can get lively (read: noisy). But honestly, the location alone is worth the price of admission, in my opinion. Just grab a lakeside room, crack a window, and let the sounds of the lake lull you to sleep. Pure bliss.
The Amenities! They have a pool, right? Is it any good?
Yeah, they have a pool. It's… fine. It’s not the kind of pool you book a trip *for*, you know what I mean? It's indoor, which is a plus if the Vermont weather decides to be… well, unpredictable (and let's be real, it often is). It's a decent size, good for a quick dip or for kids to burn off some energy. There's usually a hot tub there as well…or at least there should be, though sometimes that section seems to be closed for maintenance.
The pool area itself is fairly basic - not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing space. But it's clean, and it does the job. My advice? Don't expect a resort-style experience. Think of it as a convenient perk. A place to splash around after a long day of exploring Burlington. If you're a pool fanatic, maybe this isn't the place for you, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a nice-to-have. I'm personally more of a lake-walking kind of person.
Staff and Service! Any horror stories? Or is everyone nice?
Hmm. The staff. Honestly, they were generally pretty great. Friendly, helpful, and efficient. Check-in and check-out were smooth. On the rare occasions I had a question or needed something (like extra towels or a new lamp), I got help quickly and without attitude. One time I needed an extra pillow, and it got to my room very quickly. They also happily directed me to the bar next door (which, by the way, is right there and easily navigable).
No horror stories to report, thankfully. However… and here'sHotels With Kitchenettes

