There’s something quietly satisfying about seeing a place you’ve known for years decide not to coast on nostalgia but to reinvent itself with a kind of confident, forward-leaning grace. That’s the feeling you get reading through Topnotch Resort’s newly announced expansion plans—a blend of ambition, Vermont sensibility, and just a bit of that Stowe swagger that’s always made this property feel like more than just another mountain getaway. The vision is clear: preserve what people love, elevate everything else, and bring a new generation of guests and homeowners into the fold.
The headline, of course, is the addition of 27 fully furnished luxury residences seamlessly integrated into the existing Mountain Road campus and accessible directly from the main lobby. These aren’t throwaway condos; they’re one- to four-bedroom homes ranging from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet, furnished by RH, framed by generous windows pulling in those crisp Green Mountain views, and supported by climate-controlled underground parking. Some include dens, terraces, and those clever lock-off studios that make hosting (or renting) far easier. And with an optional rental management program, the math becomes even more attractive for owners who won’t be in Stowe year-round.
But the real story is that this expansion isn’t just real estate—it’s a full reimagining of the Topnotch experience. The lobby is being redesigned into a more open, welcoming arrival space, fitting for a resort that’s about to become both larger and more intimate at the same time. All 68 hotel rooms are being refreshed for a more elevated stay. Both restaurants, including the ever-popular Roost, are undergoing thoughtful renovation with a renewed focus on Vermont-driven cuisine. And the spa and pools—icons of the property—are being restored with the same attention to detail that made them sought-after in the first place. All of this will unfold while the resort remains open, supported by a phased construction plan designed to keep guests comfortable and weekends intact.
Topnotch’s amenities have always bordered on the enviable, and the expansion only reinforces that reputation. The full-service wellness spa holds its place at the center, supported by the 60-foot indoor pool and the duo of outdoor pools that somehow make even cold mountain air feel indulgent. The fitness center—with its personal training and yoga classes—remains a cornerstone. The Topnotch Tennis Academy stays one of the top ten programs in the country. And practical details like on-site ski and bike valet, plus shuttle service to Stowe Mountain Resort, continue to define the resort’s “everything is handled” ethos. Add in direct access to 50 miles of mountain biking trails, and you see how the project strengthens Topnotch as a true four-season playground.
The team behind it signals confidence. AWH Partners, who acquired the property in 2018, has long specialized in elevating resort assets without stripping them of their soul. Spire Hospitality brings one of North America’s most capable rental management platforms. VOCON leads the architecture and public-area design. RH curates the residence interiors with its signature warm-modern touch. And Coldwell Banker Carlson anchors the sales effort, which in Stowe practically guarantees demand from day one.
Beyond the property line, the economic impact is hard to ignore. The expansion is expected to create roughly 500 construction jobs and around 28–34 permanent hospitality, spa, dining, and property-management roles once complete. More importantly, it’s poised to drive increased year-round visitor spending throughout Stowe and Lamoille County—restaurants, retailers, guides, outfitters, everyone in the local ecosystem benefits. In an era when many mountain towns are searching for a sustainable, four-season strategy, Topnotch seems to be offering one blueprint: evolve without erasing your essence.
What makes all of this compelling is the tone from the resort’s leadership—evolution, not reinvention. Matthew Wheeler speaks of honoring a legacy while elevating the experience. Chad Cooley frames the project as preparing Topnotch for its next era while protecting the intimate Vermont authenticity that guests have treasured for decades. And somehow, given the details, that feels true. This isn’t a departure; it’s an expansion of everything that already made Topnotch special.
And there’s a certain charm in that—like watching an old friend decide it’s time for a meaningful upgrade, not for vanity or flash, but because a place with this kind of history deserves a future built with the same care.