Trapp Family Lodge & Guest Houses

The Villas are magnificient and the views a little glimpse of heaven. Be sure you ask whether you are in a Villa or Guest house. The guest houses are clean and very much like a cabin. We also stayed in them one year. Loved them for 2, but not for 2 couples. We are spoiled and love King beds and extra amenities such as a washer and dryer in the unit. I give the Villas a 5, a 6 if there is such. The guest houses are not 5 star, but lovely for those who love the out- of-doors. Would say a 4 , because of the whole property setting.Joan Lease

Very Comfortable and clean accommodations. European setting with beautiful views. Great restaurants. Great Hiking and biking.

The best thing about these condos was their view and outside "chalet" style. Indoors, they are far from 5-star units. A tiny kitchen that's behind a door - almost like a closet! Only one television - almost too small for the large living room area. The two bedrooms are styled in early Holiday Inn, with no "Austrian" or mountain feel whatsoever. The bathrooms are basic motel style as well, no oversize tubs, no space for toiletries, etc. No TVs in either of the bedrooms.

As for resort amenities, they have a fair amount, but all for a price - you will get nickel and dimed the whole time you are here. Your best bet is to use the indoor or outdoor pools, walk or ski the X-country trails, then eat, shop, and do everything else down in the village or outskirts of Stowe and Waterbury.

As Marriott Villa owners, we were extremely disappointed in this supposed "5-star" property, and so were other time-share exchangers we talked with.

We stayed in the lodge, not the guest houses, for the week of July 5 - 12, 2005. Although we are originally from Vermont, this vacation was spectacular. We enjoyed hiking, playing tennis on wonderful clay courts, and swimming every day. The food in the Lodge lounge was very good, and we saw the VT Symphony Orchestra in the meadow on the property. Lovely property, great views and a lot nearby. European style, but no breakfast included. We only had problems with the phones. We reserved on Priceline.com.

The photos can't capture the panoramic views of Vermont's Green Mountains from the large front windows of these warm, beautiful chalets. We've been going for several years and I like the fact that The Von Trapp family still owns this elegant and rustic lodge and the atmosphere is totally Austrian Alps, from the architecture to the food at the on-site restaurants. Units are spacious and in excellent condition and well appointed but not super high-end luxury. You can ski out your door onto an extensive system of x- country trails or drive 10 minutes to the tallest mountain in VT for downhill skiing. The town of Stowe is one of the most authentic Vermont villages packed with excellent restaurants, high-quality art galleries and shopping. We go in winter but I'd love to go in summer and hike the Green Mountain trails.

What a great time we had at this resort last summer! We took the two boys.. teenagers, and if you've ever vacationed with teenagers you know it's not an easy task to find a vacation spot that pleases all... this one however fit the bill.

What great views, great drives, Ben & Jerry's was putting on a fantastic concert for charity.. Crosby was playing with his son and new band before his Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert.. I hear it's a great place for concerts year round...

Enjoy your safe travels! Colleen

Added 6/04: Re: Kathys post above: A FEW units seem to be modified for handicapped use. Uncle (76) had a ground level unit (in the old section), and there were no steps enter the unit directly. There were wood incline where steps might have been to enter the unit. THere were some steps to get down to the parkikng area, or you could walk way around. Office needs to know before you check in about requirements. end 06/04

03/03: HAve just recieved paperwork indicating new units are being built. If available (most will be quarter shares) they will offer 3 bedroms & 3.5 baths with a lock out feature. But the best is the Washers & Dryers will be in the units. Currently, in the older units, you went to an 'out building' to wash & dry clothes (next to the Austrian Tea Room-sit & have lunch while clothes get clean.)

The new units are being built just above the Austrian Tea Room, higher on the side of the hill where the apple orchards are.

They will also feature fireplaces, and a dedicated rec area...aside from the current and use of the hotels services.

BTW- if you need to check e mail and forgot computer, they allow free use in the lower levels of the guest houses. Dial up connections (last winter), but price was right (free). ________________________________________ _ Original:

Very nice, ultra clean 2 bed 2 bath units. Smallish TVs but most do not stay in the rooms that much. Units are more of a cabin feeling than an apartment. All overlook the valley. Plenty of room, small kitchen fully equipped, maint was excellent in bringing needed items (toaster-light burnt out). Only big negative was the W/D are in a separate building. Gym, pools & full service hotel attached. New T/S units being planned- some will be 1/4 share or more.

Food in resturants is excellent (a bit pricey). Ice skating & XCountry sking- no downhill here. Golf course in warm months.

Two small grocery stores in Stowe, also many nice shops & resturants. Amtrak station very close to stowe. See the TUG website for more detailed