laf747

My wife and I have been coming to Twin Farms in Barnard, VT, at least once a year since 1995 and this is our 19th visit. Twin Farms does prove the old saying "Sometimes if you are lucky you do get what you pay for." Yes Twin Farms is expensive but it is worth every penny. The grounds, the food and the service are all superb. Frankly while my wife likes to go visit neighboring Woodstock I don't even bother leaving the property. Why leave Shangri La?
Also unlike some othe luxury properties they do not nickel and dime you here. Complimentry internet, long distance phone service and laundry are all provided.
I believe next year is the 20th anniversary of Twin Farms and the manager, Michael Beardsley, has been here from the beginning.
Now if Michael could only be convinced to allow small dogs in one or two of the cottages, so that we could bring our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Twin Farms would be perfection indeed
Unfortunately, I am not disciplined enough to write a detailed trip report but if anyone has any questions regarding Twin Farms I will be happy to answer same.
Let me conclude with the necessary caveats that neither my wife nor I have any business or personal ties to Twin Farms (we only wish that was the case) so this is not a PR blurb. P.S. They are now a R&C member

instyleprincess

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel too

Ericka

We are at Lake Placid Lodge with our beagle. They have been incredibly welcoming to her, as I understand they are at The Point, too. No kids allowed, but lots of dogs!

I'll have a report when we get back but basically, we agree. Twin Farms is fabulous and they should allow dogs, too. Twin Farms and LPL have a lot in common though. More soon.

laf747

I thought The Point went private

Kagehitokiri

opened oct 1 1993
19th in 17 years
zigzag is another big fan

it was sold to a group of individuals (i believe small group and directly, not through complex entity) who maintained existing mgmt/ops for revenue

zigzag

[QUOTE=Kagehitokiri;18660389]19th in 17 years
zigzag is another big fan
opened oct 1 1993

I think its the best in the US and top three in the world that I have visited.

xray

That's why we love the Point - because our yellow lab is more than welcome. He even got his own ice cream treat at turndown...

laf747

The Point only has communal dining i.e. no tables for 2 is that correct?

xray

They will serve you dinner in your room if you wish to stay secluded. I was wary of the communal dining thing too but it actually became a highlight once you meet the people who are there. At breakfast, you can sit by yourselves on the deck if you wish. Lunch is also usually not a planned communal event unless there is a special BBQ.

All the people there really respected your privacy so - I wouldn't let the communal dining aspect stop me from experiencing the Point - truly a gem. Our dog loved it too.

Kagehitokiri

do any of the US all-inclusives offer extended course (without upgraded pairing) for no additional cost?

i agree i enjoyed communal dining at lodge verbier, but clearly could go either way (and casual dress there)
not only would they serve you anywhere incl room, but they would do extended course for no additional cost

will be interesting to hear Ericka compare twin farms and lake placid lodge, which is same mgmt as the point

Ericka twin farms >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...arnard-vt.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...d-edition.html

latest on the point incl report, dining, dress, dogs >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...yed-there.html

NYBanker

Twin Farms is opening up more and more to families.

TWIN FARMS
Family-Friendly Opportunities in 2012
July 29 – Aug. 3 (Traditional for Twin Farms)
August 31 – Sept. 4 (Labor Day Weekend)
November 19 – 25 (Thanksgiving)
December 7 – 10 (Hanukkah)
December 14 – 19 (Beginning of Christmas Break)
Family-Friendly Opportunities in 2013
February 17-22, 2013 (Presidents’ Day Week)
March (Spring break: TBD)
May 24 – 28 (Memorial Day Weekend)
July 3 – 7 (Fourth of July)
July 28 – August 2 (Traditional for Twin Farms))
August 29 – Sept. 2 (Labor Day Weekend)
November 25 – December 1 (Thanksgiving and Hanukkah)
December 20 – 23 (Beginning of Winter Break)

http://www.twinfarms.com/system/uplo...y_Weeks_TF.pdf

Kagehitokiri

of course more is relative
http://www.twinfarms.com/experience/activities/calendar
"We're adding more family-friendly days"
twin farms (age 16)
2007 4 day august (should be 1st annual)
2008 mar 19-23 & summer (1st annual)
2009 aug 2-6 (2nd annual)
2010 may 7/8 mothers day & aug 8-12 "3rd Annual Summer Family Week"
2011 feb 21-24 & aug 1-5
2012 5 more (4-7 nts)
2013 8 (4-7 nts)

the point (age 18)
http://thepointresort.com/#/reservations/special-events
jun 22-24
4 nt thanksgiving

lake placid lodge (age 12)
month of march http://www.lakeplacidlodge.com/speci...ering-package/
7 nt thanksgiving http://www.lakeplacidlodge.com/speci...hanksgiving-2/

winvian (not restricted??)
http://winvian.com/packages.asp?PID=14
14 (1-13 nts)

i had forgotten lake placid lodge restaurant is open to public
odd says free dinner for lexus drivers, presumably not possible to do every night

NYBanker

Winvian is open to little ones on certain dates:
FAMILY FRIENDLY DATES 2012

Martin Luther King Week End - January 13th through January 17th
Valentine’s Day - February 14th
President’ Day - February 17th through February 21st
Easter - April 6th through April 10th
Mother’s Day Week End - May 11th through May 14th
Memorial Day Week End - May 25th through May 29th
Father’s Day Week End - June 15th through June 19th
4th of July - July 3rd through July 11th
End of Summer - July 27th through August 5th
Labor Day Week End - August 31st through September 6th
Columbus Day Week End - October 4th through October 11th
Halloween Week - October 26th through November 4th
Thanksgiving - November 19th to the 26th
Christmas & New Years Eve - December 21st through January 2nd 2013

They have an interesting interpretation of "end of summer" - July?

From their website: Dessert for two is on us when you drive your Lexus to the lodge for dinner! Just show your server your Lexus key and then choose from a list of Chef Sarah’s mouth-watering creations. Alas, Lexus drivers just get dessert! An odd promotion either way.

Kagehitokiri

yes i apparently misread lexus offer (facepalm)

but winvian doesnt mention age requirement and booking sites (incl mr mrs smith) mention children

http://winvian.com/menu_detail.asp?m=4
dinner is public except for monday and tuesday
i dont understand what they mean re lunch

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...irondacks.html