About

The Setting...

Located about one-and-a-half hours from the nearest commercial airport in Burlington, the journey into the bucolic landscape surrounding Barnard, Vermont begins the Twin Farms experience. Once on the property’s vast 300 acres, seclusion and privacy come first.

We Want...

We want Twin Farms to become your second home — with amenities and services that make your stay as adventurous and social, or serene and private as you wish. We attend to every detail in the background so you feel like the entire property is yours.

Our History...

When Nobel prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis proposed to journalist Dorothy Thompson, she promised to marry him if he bought her a farm in Vermont with sweeping lawns, orchards, and “delicious air.” They found their idyll in a 1795-era farmhouse on 300 acres — all of which they purchased in 1928 for $10,000.

In various seasons, they created and entertained at Twin Farms. Their guest list included political and literary figures who lingered for provocative discussions, outdoor activities, and the opportunity to attend the couple’s legendary parties.

Dorothy kept Twin Farms until she was no longer physically able to live here. As she grew frail, her family sold off parcels of the land, completing the final transaction in 1958. Subsequently, Twin Farms changed hands several times. It operated as Sonnenberg Haus, an inn with a reputation for fine dining, when Thurston Twigg-Smith acquired the property as a second home for his family in 1974.

By the late 1980s, the Twigg-Smiths found themselves able to visit Barnard only a few weeks a year, so they decided to launch a Bed and Breakfast to share this special place — a quaint notion that soon escalated to the number one small hotel in North America.

The first nine rooms opened on October 1, 1993 to national acclaim. Five additional cottages were added in 1995 and 1996, and more accolades followed. The completion of spa treatment rooms, Chalet, Aviary, and the Farmhouse at Copper Hill in 2005 brought the number of accommodations to 20, where it remains today. Though the ownership now includes several partners, guests continue to embrace Twin Farms —and Twigg-Smith’s vision of a sophisticated escape steeped in playful romance — as their own second home.

Seasonal Differences

Each season exudes a distinct feeling at Twin Farms. No matter what the season, myriad possibilities await on three hundred pristine acres.

FALL

Our legacy revolves around Fall foliage, bringing unparalleled beauty in shades of red and gold bathed in crisp air, with the promise of warmth and intimacy at the end of the day. “There will be apple trees and flaming lilies, and the moon over the low mountains and you and me, after dinner, sitting….on the terrace, and inside, when it becomes chilly, the fireplace and lamplight and lots of books,” Sinclair Lewis wrote of his favorite hideaway.

WINTER

Winter offers adventures on private, groomed trails with cross-country skis and snowshoes, or ice skating on our pond followed by hot chocolate and s’mores around a bonfire. A cozy evening starts with fine wine and cuisine. Bring the kids during our winter family week, and reconnect with your own childhood on a sled. Twin Farms offers everything you love about snow, with none of the inconveniences.

SPRING

With the coming of Spring, a fresh palette, rich with green and the promise of warmth, provides the setting for bucolic — and sybaritic — diversions. Hike into the woods, spread out a blanket, and dine on a gourmet picnic. Later in the day, create a festive atmosphere in the pub, brimming with billiards, fine art, and music from the jukebox.

SUMMER

Summer brings ideal mornings for fly fishing on glassy Copper Pond, days full of exercise and exploring our 300 acres on foot or bicycle, followed by an afternoon of mint juleps and croquet. Share stories with each other on your private screened porch in the warm evening breeze. Bring the kids during our summer family week, or reserve the romantic escape just for you.

Pet Policy

Twin Farms welcomes dogs (up to two - maximum 100 lbs each) in select cabins for an additional fee. In order to ensure the comfort of our guests, employees and your pup we have a few guidelines to follow - please let us know if they will be joining you before arrival.

Children Policy

Twin Farms welcomes guests ages 16 years and older, with the exception of our two annual family weeks.

For reservations and details, please call 802-234-9999 or e-mail info@twinfarms.com.