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There’s nothing more disappointing than arriving at a resort that bills itself a “classic” and discovering the moniker actually means faded interiors, slow service, bad food and a past-its-prime vibe. For years, the Equinox Resort fell into that category. But following a $20-million dollar renovation completed in 2008, the grande dame of southern Vermont has made a roaring comeback.

The new owners drafted award-winning designer Geoffrey Bradfield to oversee the refurbishment of the storied hotel’s interiors, and his efforts have produced a wonderful balance of classic elegance and contemporary luxury. The original architectural details were left untouched – crown moldings, stately columns and cozy hearths remain the structural bones of the property – but the furnishings were updated with a fresh and preppy look, perfectly appropriate for an upscale New England retreat. Bradfield used a palette of greens and creams to evoke the colors of the surrounding mountains, and the striped suede settees, leather club chairs and potted orchids of the great room make the lounge a wonderful setting to read the morning paper with a cup of coffee.

The 195 bedroom and suites spread across four buildings: the main hotel, the Charles Orvis Inn and the less deluxe 1811 House and Dormy House. In the renovated hotel and Orvis Inn, the bedrooms are large (many with views of the mountains) and equipped with plasma televisions, marble baths, custom-made beds and heavy draperies that sweep the floor. The competing patterns of striped duvets and leaf-printed rugs look a bit busy, but otherwise the accommodations are perfectly comfortable, if not as beautifully pulled together as the lounges.

Guests at the hotel range from thirty-something couples on romantic weekend escapes to families enjoying the area’s outdoor activities. Hiking trails that lead to the top of Equinox mountain depart from the hotel’s back door, and the resort also offers tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, golf, falcony (sister school to the famed Gleneagles in Scotland), fly fishing, shooting, and, for the rough-and-tough car buff, a Land Rover Driving School. For dining, guests can choose between the Chop Shop, a refined steak house with, according to my dining companion, the best prime rib ever, or Marsh Tavern, whose upscale pub grub and over sixty-three beers are perfect for a more casual evening. After dinner, the crowd shifts to the back deck, where diners congregate around the open-air fire pit. The scene feels reminiscent of an old school camp-fire setting, as guests swap stories about the day’s events and the light flickers against the whitewashed wood of the Equinox’s exterior. It’s the very best of the classic resort, but with all the advantages of a modern retreat. I, for one, am happy to trade a little tradition for additional comforts – fine linens, WiFi and well-made espresso included.

Room To Get: Only the main hotel and the Orvis Inn have been renovated, and these are definitely the places to stay. Families who want extra space should consider the Orvis Inn. The Inn sits a one-minute walk from the hotel and offers one- and two-bedroom suites, some with kitchens and private terraces. If you want to be in the Equinox itself, the rooms on the fourth floor have the best views, but the elevator is painfully slow. If you expect to return to your room frequently, ask for something on the lower floors. Avoid the Townhomes that sit next to the resort’s main building. The 80s-esque interiors are in sore need of an update and will be a big disappointment to anyone used to luxury.

Read more about the Land Rover Driving School at the Equinox

Read about other great escapes in Vermont

Read about the Mayflower Inn & Spa

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