MANCHESTER, VT (July 2018) – The Equinox, a Luxury Collection Golf Resort and Spa, a destination resort in Vermont, completes a multi-phase renovation in July 2018, revitalizing its storied history and enhancing its legacy for loyal guests and future generations to enjoy. The property will unveil redesigned and refreshed guest rooms, restaurants, and public spaces that will epitomize its reputation as a classic New England experience driven by tradition.
The renovation is being led by Carey Watermark Investors in collaboration with Studio 11 Design, an award-winning, full-service, international design, art, and branding firm providing innovative and effective solutions for the hospitality and leisure markets. Founded in 2011 by principals Stacy Elliston and Kellie Sirna, the studio has worked with many prominent hotel and restaurant brands and management clientele on projects located both domestic and international.
“The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa has always been a living gallery of historic details which has now been brought to life with its inspired renovation,” said Roger Aberth, General Manager. “Like the 3,800-foot mountain that rises up behind the resort where we get our name, the Equinox has risen to new heights in celebrating its long history, our reputation as a wellness and outdoor sports destination and our perfectly situated setting.”
Today the resort continues its heritage of distinguished inn keeping as part of The Luxury Collection brand. Guests can experience the thrill of handling a bird of prey at the Falconry School, hone their bow and arrow and fly-fishing skills through The Equinox’s partnership with Orvis and face the challenge and exhilaration of mastering 4X4 driving techniques with the Land Rover off road driving school. With the renovation, The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa strives to conserve and enhance as much of the historic property as possible and continues to offer guests the best of New England hospitality.
Guest Rooms
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa’s 147 guest rooms and spacious suites have been updated with new carpeting, drapery, plush couches and lounge chairs, desk furnishings, tables with dark wooden bases and marble tops, along with new hardwood box frame beds. Corridors have also been updated with classic blues and grey hues in the new wallpaper and carpeting and bathroom lighting has been enhanced with mirrors in inset lighting. The new color scheme also includes soft neutral colors with green accents that pay homage to Manchester’s landscape and is keeping with its timeless essence. Newly installed art pieces depict The Equinox’s Southern Vermont rich heritage now adorn the guest corridors and rooms, serving as a scattered time capsule and sparking curiosity and conversations amongst visitors.
Public Spaces
Public spaces have been renovated to tell the story of The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa and its rich history. In addition to new furnishings, the lobby features a wine bar for guests to enjoy happy hour and mingle after check-in. One of The Equinox’s restored gas chandeliers from the 19th century Opera House across the street has been restored and hung in the Great Room, while the original antique key box has been mounted behind the front desk to hold the tradition of the resort and its era. A focal point of the property is the Library, where guests have been gathering around the wood-burning marble fireplace since 1769. The intimate area also caters to special events with an expansive hardwood dining table, lounge chairs tucked into cozy spots with smaller tables for intimate gatherings, reading, or playing board games with the family.
Onsite Dining
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa’s onsite restaurants have been renovated to compliment Executive Chef Daniel Black’s sophisticated cuisine featuring local ingredients sourced from the resort’s onsite garden and farm partners throughout the area. Serving classic New England Pub fare for lunch and dinner, Marsh Tavern now provides a contemporary feel with modern light fixtures, elegant seating, and round tables to facilitate conversation.
The Chop House has been completely redone with new cozy banquette seating against the walls, and the famed marble fireplace engraved with Louise Orvis initials has been decorated with new mantel accessories. The classic steakhouse serves a variety of prime-aged beef sourced from local farms and purveyors for dinner as well as fresh seafood, signature sides and house made breads.
Falcon Bar received a light refresh with new wallpaper, seating, and upholstery with a deep wooden aesthetic. This darker look caters to the iconic bar’s intimate atmosphere where guests and locals enjoy handcrafted cocktails or sample internationally and Vermont sourced cheeses and truffles. The design team paid homage to the resort’s Falconry experience by adding a decorative glass falcon to the back bar as well as abstract images of falcons along the walls. Just steps from the falcon bar is the Equinox desk offering a 10×10-foot lava fire pit with a view of the Equinox Mountain.
The Spa at The Equinox
The Spa at The Equinox is fully renovated with soft wood flooring and a wood-accented reception desk that evokes the indigenous surrounding with products that all naturally hand crafted. The newly renovated hot tubs both offer guests a full body immersion into relaxing waters while enjoying spectacular views of the Equinox Mountain. The 14,000 square foot facility houses, sauna, steam room, movement & fitness studio and 75-foot lap and recreational pool, which features Jane Armstrong sculpture of the Sea Horse along with new lounge furniture. The in-ground hot tub located outside the spa has been renewed and expanded for guests to relax and take in the mountain range after indulging in treatments like the signature ‘The Spirit of Vermont’, which includes a massage with soothing arnica, reflexology and reiki.
Meetings & Event Space
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa’s boasts 18,500 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor venue space that can accommodate from 10 to 350 guests. The space has been refreshed to accommodate meetings, weddings, and exhibits and artwork now decorates the corridors of the meeting & event spaces while carpeting and paint have been revived with colorful tones of blues and slate. New upholstery inspires a more traditional, clean feel that is evident throughout the detail of the entire renovation.
