Episode 52 Hotel Legends: Vermont’s Twin Farms with John Graham

Twin Farms is as legendary as it gets on the American hotel circuit. Located in picturesque Barnard, Vermont, just 1.5 hours from Burlington and 20 minutes from the charming village of Woodstock, this landmark hotel sits on 300 acres of pristine Vermont land. The hotel is intimate and historic with a sense of place few hotels in the U.S. have managed to capture. In fact, the Main House itself is an 18th century farmhouse purchased by writer Sinclair Lewis and journalist Dorothy Thompson in the 1930s (turned into a hotel in 1993).

To tell the story of this iconic place, John Graham, longtime Managing Director, joins Melissa. The two speak about the hotel’s museum-worthy art collection, its incredible culinary program, the activities and experiences one can do on and off property, and the legendary figures who have shaped the history of the hotel. And—just in time for the hotel’s 30th anniversary—Twin Farms is launching eight spectacular and serene treehouses, bringing the total room count from 20 to 28 (the first two launched on September 14th and the next six will follow through the fall). John shares details of these new beautiful new rooms and speaks to the evolution of the hotel.

Plus: For more of Twin Farms, join Indagare as we celebrate the hotel’s 30th anniversary with a special video events series. We’ll share a first look of the treehouses and will be launching an interactive three-part culinary showcase in the coming months. The video series will kick off with our live virtual conversation, Why Go Now: Vermont with John Graham on September 28th at 1pm EST. For more information and to sign up, visit travel.indagare.com/why-go-now-vermont.

Lightning Round with John Graham:

• Favorite place to relax? At Twin Farms? That’s easy, anywhere in Twiggs – our new dining/bar venue. When not at Twin Farms, anywhere our granddaughters Mia and Iggy are.
• Favorite book? A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. Just love everything about this book. It’s set in the Metropolitan Hotel in Moscow—which obviously for a hotel guy, the entertaining characters, including those who worked in the hotel, the message on change, and a peek at some of the story of Russia.
• What’s next on your reading list? Just finished The Wager, which was fascinating, but a bit tough in moments. A good reminder about the need to walk in others’ shoes. Next on the list is Damon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver.
• Favorite Vermont cheese? I have two: Jasper Hill Farm Cloth Bound Cheddar, and Bayley Hazen Blue, also by Jasper Hill. We are so blessed in Vermont for Cheese. We in fact only serve Vermont cheeses at Twin farms.
• Favorite season in Vermont? Easy—Spring: full of promise, stunningly beautiful, greens and lupin fields light up in blueish pinkish hues.
• Favorite cottage at Twin Farms? Not Easy. As they are brand new, The Treehouses. Nothing like them. Natural, playful, adventurous, diverting and connecting.
• Favorite location on property? Have lots. If pressed, I would say the Lift Shack. Beautiful view, indoor next to the fire, or out in nature. Cocooned and perched at the same time.
• Favorite piece of art on property at Twin Farms? “Twigg” in Woods Cottage, a nod to our Founder Thurston Twigg Smith. An oil on canvas of dog that just looks like a great character that you would love to know.
• Where will you take your next vacation? A quick add-on to a conference my wife is attending in Dublin in November. Will do some exploring and try to connect with her people.

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