Sugar House Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Photo: Marriott Marriott International has opened a new hotel in Vermont that is designed to achieve all-electric, net-zero energy operations and LEED Platinum certification, marking a first for the global hospitality group.
The Sugar House Hotel, part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, has opened in Winooski, in the Greater Burlington area, combining environmentally focused construction with design inspired by Vermont's landscape, maple sugar traditions and local craftsmanship.
The 115-room property is the first hotel in Winooski, a historic mill city located along the Winooski River. Its location offers guests access to both urban attractions and natural surroundings, with a 104-acre nature preserve nearby and the city's walkable downtown within steps of the hotel.
The property's design follows the concept of "nature out back, city out front." Guests enter beneath a living green roof before reaching a lobby featuring a 20-foot indoor maple tree, a spiral staircase and a library designed to resemble a treehouse. A 20,000-pound Green Mountain Schist boulder forms the centerpiece of the main lounge.
Sugar House Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Photo: MarriottEach of the hotel's 115 rooms is named after a Vermont sugarhouse and features timber-paneled walls, custom glass-blown lighting and artwork by local creators. Guests are also welcomed with a make-your-own maple creemee station, inspired by the region's maple syrup culture.
Marriott Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Peggy Roe said the project reflects an approach to hospitality that considers both the guest experience and the long-term impact on local communities.
The hotel features two main food and beverage venues. Treetops Restaurant is described as the only rooftop restaurant and bar in the Greater Burlington area, offering seasonal cuisine, floor-to-ceiling views and an outdoor terrace.
MOSS Café + Bar, located beneath the central maple tree in the lobby, operates throughout the day, serving coffee, locally baked maple pastries, deli dishes, small plates and seasonal cocktails.
Outdoor activities are also part of the guest experience. A 180-foot wooden bridge connects the property to a 1.2-mile loop trail through the Winooski Gorge Natural Area, as well as nearby Salmon Hole fly-fishing waters.
Planned activities include wellness sessions, guided nature walks and workshops led by local artisans.
Sustainability is central to the hotel's design and daily operations. The property runs entirely on electricity, including its commercial kitchen, without gas lines or fuel tanks.
Rooftop solar panels are designed to provide approximately one-third of the building's energy requirements, while a geothermal well system supplies heating, cooling and hot water.
Sugar House Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Photo: MarriottAdditional measures include water-efficient plumbing fixtures and the reuse of materials from Vermont's history. Timbers salvaged from the state's historic North Hero drawbridge have been incorporated into the Treetops bar and elevator lobby tables.
The hotel will also provide eight electric-vehicle charging stations and an all-electric Volkswagen shuttle connecting guests with Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport and downtown Burlington.
Sugar House Hotel was developed by Nedde Real Estate and Lodging Capital Partners and is operated by Fathom Companies.
Doug Nedde, Principal of Nedde Real Estate, said the project was designed to reflect Vermont's identity while combining local craftsmanship with environmental sustainability.