You know that specific smell of old wood and hay that’s been baking in the sun for about a century? It’s specific. It’s comforting. And honestly, it’s the first thing that hits you when you pull up to The Inn at the Round Barn Farm Vermont.
Vermont has a lot of inns. Like, a lot. You can’t throw a maple sugar candy without hitting a bed and breakfast in the Green Mountains. But this place in Waitsfield? It’s different. It isn’t just some old house with a floral bedspread and a dusty communal jigsaw puzzle. It’s 245 acres of sheer Mad River Valley magic centered around one of only twelve remaining round barns in the entire state.
People come here for the weddings, sure. The Joslin Round Barn is basically the "final boss" of rustic-chic wedding venues. But if you're just visiting for a weekend, you realize quickly that the architecture is only half the story. The rest is about the silence. It’s the kind of quiet that feels heavy in your ears, broken only by the sound of a distant tractor or the wind hitting the meadow.
The Weird History of Round Barns (And Why This One Survived)
Let's get one thing straight: building a round barn is a massive pain in the neck. So why did the Joslin family do it back in 1910?
Back then, there was this quirky belief—partly practical, partly superstitious—that a round barn was more efficient. Shifting gravity made it easier to move hay. Plus, legend says the devil can't catch you in a corner if there are no corners to hide in. Whether the Joslins were worried about demons or just really into gravity-fed hay chutes, they created a masterpiece of timber framing.
By the 1980s, the place was falling apart. It was basically a skeleton. Jack and Anne Marie Simko bought the property and spent years meticulously restoring it, which is why we can even stand inside it today without a hard hat. They didn't just slap some paint on it; they preserved the 12-sided structure (yes, it’s technically a dodecagon, not a perfect circle) and turned the farmhouse into the high-end lodging it is now.
It’s a massive feat of preservation. Most of these structures in New England collapsed under the weight of heavy snow decades ago. Seeing the interior of the barn today is like looking at the ribcage of a giant wooden whale. It’s huge. It’s airy. It’s weirdly spiritual.
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What It’s Actually Like to Stay There
If you’re expecting a generic hotel experience, you’re in the wrong place.
The guest rooms are in the 19th-century farmhouse, and they’ve got names like "The Richardson" or "The Joslin." You aren't getting a plastic key card here. You’re getting a real key. The floors creak. They’re supposed to. That’s the point.
Most of the rooms have these oversized whirlpool tubs and gas fireplaces. It sounds a bit 90s-cliché on paper, but when it’s 10 degrees outside in January and the wind is howling across the Mad River Valley, you will basically want to live in that tub forever.
The Breakfast Situation
Honestly, the breakfast is probably the main reason people keep coming back. It’s not a "muffin and a bruised apple" continental situation.
- You sit in the dining room overlooking the ponds.
- You get served things like lemon ginger pancakes or savory herb frittatas.
- Everything is sourced from about five miles away.
The innkeepers here take the "farm" part of the name seriously. They aren't just buying eggs from a giant distributor; they’re getting them from neighbors. You can taste the difference. Seriously.
Beyond the Barn: Exploring the Mad River Valley
You can’t just sit in the barn all day, though you might want to. The Inn at the Round Barn Farm Vermont sits right in the heart of some of the best outdoor recreation in the Northeast.
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If you’re a skier, you’re basically sandwiched between Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Now, Mad River Glen is famous for its "Ski It If You Can" motto and its single-chair lift. It’s rugged. It’s old-school. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t allow snowboarders (sorry, riders) and prides itself on not having snowmaking on most of the mountain. It pairs perfectly with the vibe of the Round Barn—both places feel like they’ve successfully told the modern world to slow down.
In the summer, it’s all about the "swimming holes." Ask anyone at the front desk where to go. They might point you toward Lareau Farm or a spot along the Mad River where the water is clear, freezing, and perfectly refreshing after a hike up Camel’s Hump.
The Art of Doing Nothing
There is a specific spot on the property—near the upper ponds—where you can see the mountains layering back into the distance in different shades of blue.
A lot of guests make the mistake of over-scheduling their Vermont trip. They try to hit every brewery (Lawson’s Finest Liquids is right down the road, by the way) and every cheese shop in a 50-mile radius. Don’t do that. Give yourself at least four hours one afternoon to just sit on the terrace. Watch the dragonflies. Read a book that isn't on a screen.
The Wedding Machine
We have to talk about the weddings because that’s what pays the bills for a massive historical estate like this.
If you’re planning a wedding here, you’re looking at one of the most photographed spots in New England. The barn can hold up to 200 people, and the acoustics are... interesting. Because it’s round, the sound bounces in ways that make live bands sound incredible.
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But here’s a tip: if you aren't a wedding guest, check the calendar before you book a weekend stay. If there’s a massive 200-person event happening, the vibe of the inn shifts from "quiet retreat" to "party central." Some people love the energy; others just want to hear the crickets. Choose your dates wisely.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s be real. It isn't cheap. You’re paying for the maintenance of a historical landmark and 245 acres of pristine land.
You could stay at a motel down the road for a third of the price. But you wouldn't get the 60-foot indoor lap pool (which is surprisingly warm) or the feeling of being part of Vermont's agricultural history. You’re paying for the fact that when you wake up, the mist is rolling off the meadows and the only thing you have to worry about is whether you want more maple syrup on your French toast.
It’s an investment in your nervous system.
Technical Details for the Modern Traveler
Getting there is easy, but don't rely entirely on your GPS once you get off the main highway. Cell service in the Mad River Valley can be spotty at best—which, again, is a feature, not a bug.
- Address: 1661 East Warren Road, Waitsfield, VT 05673.
- Best Time to Visit: Late September for foliage (obviously), but February is the "locals' favorite" for deep winter vibes.
- Pet Policy: They do have some dog-friendly options, but you need to call ahead. Don't just show up with a Golden Retriever and expect a room.
Practical Steps for Planning Your Visit
If you're actually going to do this, don't just wing it. Vermont is busier than you think, especially during peak seasons.
- Book 4-6 months in advance if you want a weekend in October or a holiday in February. The Inn at the Round Barn Farm Vermont is small enough that it fills up fast.
- Pack layers. Even in the summer, Vermont nights get chilly. You'll want a sweater for the evening bonfire.
- Make dinner reservations early. Waitsfield has some incredible food (look up Peasant or American Flatbread), but they are small. If you show up at 7:00 PM on a Saturday without a name on the list, you’re eating gas station crackers.
- Check the "Events" page. Sometimes they host art shows or community dinners in the barn. Even if you aren't staying there, these are worth a visit.
- Bring real boots. This is a working farm environment. The meadows are beautiful, but they can be muddy. Leave the white sneakers at home.
The real magic of the Round Barn isn't in the "luxury" of the thread count or the fancy breakfast. It's in the realization that for a couple of days, you don't have to be productive. You just have to exist in a circle. And in a world full of sharp corners and hard deadlines, a circle is a pretty nice place to be.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- The "Secret" View: Walk past the barn and up the hill toward the woods at sunset. Most people stay by the fire pit, but the elevation gain of just 50 feet gives you a completely different perspective of the valley.
- Local Hookup: Visit the Mad River Taste Place in town before you head back to the Inn. Grab some Jasper Hill cheese and a bottle of local cider to enjoy in your room by the fire.
- Photography Tip: If you want that iconic shot of the barn, go early in the morning when the dew is still on the grass. The light hits the 12 sides of the building individually as the sun rises, creating a gradient effect you can't get at noon.