Are you looking for the best hotels in Burlington VT? Perfect! We are going to show you the 8 top rated hotel options available to you including cheap and luxury hotels around the popular city of Burlington in northern Vermont.
Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best hotels near Burlington VT for your visit based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own experiences.
Here’s how we will break down the best hotels in Burlington Vermont to help you find the perfect place to stay:
- Our Burlington experience
- Why stay in Burlington?
- Popular things to do around Burlington
- Burlington hotels map
- 8 best Burlington VT hotels
Let’s find you the perfect Burlington hotel for your trip to the stunning central Vermont area!
*Please note this guide contains affiliate links. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! Read more in our disclosure policy.*
Our Burlington VT Hotels Experience
During our very first New England road trip in the fall we left nearby Lake Placid NY, crossed Lake Champlain into Vermont and spent our next night in Burlington.
Burlington is by far the largest and most populous city in the state of Vermont, but it is still very small and intimate when compared to most heavily visited US cities.
We walked through Waterfront Park, explored the Ethan Allen Homestead and Tower, visited Lake Champlain chocolates and enjoyed dinner with a few drinks along the famous Church Street.
Burlington is a highly regarded college town with the University of Vermont located just east of downtown. The vibe is relaxed, fun and friendly.
Why Stay In Burlington VT?
Vermont is filled with stunning mountain towns like Stowe and quaint villages like Woodstock, but Burlington offers visitors more attractions, more places to eat and a more fun filled experience.
We think Burlington should be included on any road trip through Vermont or New England, especially in fall when leaves around the shores of Lake Champlain radiate beautiful earthy colors.
Along with other popular towns such as Woodstock, Stowe and Manchester, we think Burlington is one of the very best places to visit in Vermont.
Burlington is a place to eat and drink, take a bike ride along Lake Champlain, learn about the local history and take life at a slower pace.
Things To Do Around Burlington VT
So what can you do if you decide to spend two or three nights at a hotel in Burlington?
Let’s take a look at what is in store for your visit:
- Cycle the awesome Island Line Trail
- Visit Ethan Allen Homestead
- Explore Ethan Allen Park and Tower
- Taste delicious Lake Champlain chocolates
- Eat and drink your way along Church Street Marketplace
Want to see the best of Burlington?
Read our complete guide to the 10 best things to do in Burlington VT on our sister site next to help with planning your itinerary!
Are Hotels In Burlington VT Expensive?
Burlington is the largest and most popular place to visit in Vermont which is already an expensive place to visit when compared with other US states.
Therefore, yes you can expect to pay above average nightly prices for hotel rooms on your trip to Burlington.
Travelers on a lower budget can find Burlington VT hotels for around $150 per night in off season and around $250 each night in peak season during midweek nights.
Those with healthier budgets who prefer to stay at luxury hotels can expect to pay around $250 per night in off season and $400 each night in peak season during the week.
However, prices will increase on weekends, holiday weekends throughout the year and during the peak fall foliage season at the beginning of October.
Hotel Tax In Burlington, Vermont
Bear in mind when booking your hotel in Burlington Vermont that you will pay hotel tax, which is officially known as Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
We have mock booked a room both direct and with Booking.com at each hotel in the list below.
Every hotel has a minimum of 10% tax added to the cost but hotels located in the downtown Burlington areas have additional fees such as “city tax” or “conservation fees”. Some of the expensive luxury hotels also include a “resort fee”.
So let’s say the basic nightly room cost at a cheap hotel is $150 for one night in Burlington VT, your total cost is going to be at least $165.00.
- When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for includes taxes and fees. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
- Conversely, if you see text reading something like +$30 for taxes and fees, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 10% fee for bed tax and any other fees associated.
Tax is nothing new to Americans who are used to paying tax on pretty much everything.
But for international visitors this is something to be aware of so you avoid any nasty surprises when you come to pay!
Where To Stay In Burlington VT
Burlington has a surprisingly low volume of downtown hotels within walking distance of Lake Champlain and Church Street, as well as the majority of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in town.
The few downtown hotels are in high demand because they have the perfect location but they come with a premium price tag.
However, there are clusters of budget hotel options in areas located around downtown Burlington, such as South Burlington and Colchester.
One thing to note is that you will have to drive into town from any cheap hotel near downtown Burlington. This is one of those places in which you are paying for convenience.
South Burlington is also close to Burlington International Airport, which means you can stay at a highly rated cheap hotel just minutes from the airport terminal in this area of town.
The take home?
If you are traveling New England on a shoestring budget and would prefer to stay in cheap hotels, book a hotel outside of the downtown area. But if you have a healthy travel budget, definitely stay downtown.
Burlington VT Hotels Map
Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of the 8 best Burlington hotels featured in this guide.
Map key:
- Blue border – Downtown Burlington outline
- Green stars – Cheap hotels in Burlington VT
- Red stars – Mid range budget hotels in Burlington VT
- Blue stars – Luxury hotels in Burlington VT
Click or touch the map to activate.
Zoom in and out, move around the Burlington area and see exactly where each lodging option is located.
8 Best Hotels In Burlington VT
OK, let’s take a look at each of the best hotels in Burlington VT.
We have hand picked the top 8 Burlington Vermont hotels by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location, value for money and our own experiences in the area.
Hotels are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and luxury.
You will find 3 x cheap hotels, 2 x mid range hotels and 3 x luxury hotels. Each represents a top rated hotel within its price category.
Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in Burlington VT!
1. Starlight Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
- Google – 4.7 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, complimentary access to a drive in movie theater, shared lounge, children’s playground
- Location: Colchester
Starlight Inn is the top rated cheap hotel in Burlington VT. The popular motel features a casino resort theme and is located in a quiet area to the northwest of downtown Burlington. It is a fantastic place for families to stay in Burlington with easy access to the lake, parks and even a drive-in cinema.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Starlight Inn. It takes a clean sweep from previous guest reviews with especially high scores for cleanliness. This is where to stay in Burlington on a budget.
>> Book Hotel: Starlight Inn
2. Green Mountain Suites Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, free airport shuttle, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast included, suites with kitchens, laundry, complimentary wine and craft beers midweek, pet friendly
- Location: South Burlington
Green Mountain Suites is a hugely popular, amenity heavy and affordable hotel in Burlington VT. It is set up perfectly for longer stays with kitchens, family rooms and coin operated laundry, as well as being dog friendly. Guests can use the year round pool, hot tub and fitness center.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Green Mountain Suites. We stayed at this hotel because of all the amenities included for such a reasonable price and we would definitely return. The complimentary wine and beer hour is a nice touch.
>> Book Hotel: Green Mountain Suites Hotel
3. Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.0 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, breakfast included, on site restaurant and bar, free airport shuttle, conference center, pet friendly
- Location: South Burlington
Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn is a solid low budget hotel in Burlington VT offering swimming pools, breakfast and dog friendly rooms. It is a popular place for business travelers but is also great for families with younger kids who want a cheaper place to stay in the Burlington area.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn. You know what to expect with Best Western Plus, they do everything well without the bells and whistles of a luxury hotel. Good, solid option not too far from downtown Burlington.
>> Book Hotel: Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn
4. Willard Street Inn (Blind Tiger Burlington)
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.5 / 10
- Google – 4.9 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, garden and terrace, superb breakfast included
- Location: 15 minute walk from Church Street
Willard Street Inn is a unique and boutique Burlington VT hotel offering quaint guest rooms and a delicious breakfast. This is where you should stay if you want to avoid the typical hotel chains and spend a night at an intimate lodging with other like minded travelers.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Willard Street Inn. It takes a clean sweep with particular emphasis on high quality breakfasts served up in a luxury solarium each morning. Definitely one to consider!
>> Book Hotel: Willard Street Inn (Blind Tiger Burlington)
5. DoubleTree by Hilton
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.0 / 10
- Google – 4.1 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, free airport shuttle, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, pet friendly
- Location: South Burlington
DoubleTree by Hilton is a solid mid range budget hotel in Burlington VT featuring a pool, gym and on site restaurants. It is located just steps from the University of Vermont, which makes it a popular choice for families visiting students.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at DoubleTree by Hilton. This is one of those understated but efficient places to stay in between the downtown area and the airport in Burlington.
>> Book Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton
6. Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 7.6 / 10
- Google – 4.0 / 5
- Price: Expensive $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, fire pits, complimentary bike rentals, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, lake view rooms, pet friendly
- Parking: $16 per night
- Location: Downtown Burlington
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain is a popular lakefront hotel in Burlington VT with lake views rooms available. It has quality amenities, a great vibe and a sensational location. Ratings are not as high as you might expect, but that is mostly down to the higher cost.
Reviewers rate comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain. Rooms with lake views are highly sought after but will of course cost more. One unfortunate but important aspect to consider is a further $30 resort fee to pay for each night you stay.
>> Book Hotel: Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain
May 2023 Update: Compare prices with nearby Courtyard by Marriott, which has a similar location and amenities with higher ratings and without the resort fee.
7. Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.3 / 10
- Google – 4.2 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, indoor pool, gym, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, free airport shuttle
- Parking: $21 per night valet parking
- Location: Downtown Burlington
Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown is the closest hotel to Church Street so it is popular with weekend visitors planning to eat, drink and shop. Parking is more expensive, but it has free airport shuttles and no resort fee. The hotel has excellent reviews but it is pricey.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown. If you want the most central location in Downtown Burlington, this is exactly where to stay. However, if you don’t desperately need the central location, look for cheaper options.
>> Book Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
8. Hotel Vermont Burlington
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurants and bar, breakfast available, complimentary bike rentals and yoga classes, upscale fitness center, massage services
- Parking: $15 per night
- Location: Downtown Burlington
Hotel Vermont Burlington is a top rated luxury hotel in Burlington Vermont. It is the quintessential place to stay when visiting Burlington because it has an idyllic location sandwiched between Lake Champlain and Church Street, it has excellent amenities and it does not have any hidden fees.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, facilities, cleanliness and location the highest at Hotel Vermont Burlington. Despite having no pool or lake view rooms, this hotel has exceptionally high scores because it is filled with quality and it has fantastic staff. This is where we intend to stay next time we are in town.
>> Book Hotel: Hotel Vermont Burlington
Best Hotels In Burlington FAQ’s
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about places to stay in Burlington, Vermont.
What is the best cheap hotel in Burlington VT?
Starlight Inn is a fantastic low budget hotel in Burlington Vermont. It has a fun casino and movie theme throughout, complimentary drive in movie access and affordable nightly rates in a quiet location northwest of town.
What is the best luxury hotel in Burlington VT?
Hotel Vermont is the best luxury hotel in Burlington VT. It is high quality throughout and has a wonderful location between Lake Champlain and Church Street. We like that it doesn’t have a resort fee or any other hidden fees.
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We hope this guide to the best hotels in Burlington VT helps you book the perfect hotel for your visit to northern Vermont!
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay in Burlington VT by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are experts at finding and booking hotels. They’ve been traveling the world for over 6 years, staying at more than 500 hotels across 4 continents.
They only write about places they have personally visited themselves, which means every article you read on Best Hotels Anywhere is created directly from first hand experience. Read more about us.