In Vermont, Hotel Champlain has debuted as a Curio Collection by Hilton property following a $9 million transformation.
Previously the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, the property has been reinvented with architecture by //3877 and interiors courtesy of Scott Kester Design. The revamp blends a sense of refinement with a welcoming atmosphere that captures Burlington’s spirit.
The redesign introduces new community spaces alongside an enhanced front drive experience, refreshed fitness center, all-day café, and a signature seafood restaurant.
Hotel Champlain’s focus on community
Original Skiff oyster lounge
A renewed focus on locally inspired dining was central to the transformation. Lily May’s Coffee & Cafe, named after Canadian-American botanist Lily May Perry, offers a playful yet cozy setting with regionally sourced fare.
The hotel has also partnered with Heirloom Hospitality and chef Eric Warnstedt to introduce Original Skiff Fish + Oysters, the city’s first oyster bar. Inspired by classic coastal taverns from Bar Harbor to the Florida Keys, the concept honors the fishermen, boatbuilders, and maritime legends of New England’s waterways.
“Original Skiff, and Hotel Champlain, is my effort to pull together long-forgotten events and places into a familiar place to dine and rest,” says Scott Kester, founder of his eponymous New York-based firm. When envisioning the restaurant, he reflects, “I thought about Grandpa Bob and what kind of restaurant he would want to hang at to barrel-out fishing stories.”
The revitalized Hotel Champlain is operated by Aimbridge Hospitality.
The private dining room at Original Skiff
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