Eclectic Kim Review: Blind Tiger Burlington

When I began planning a trip to Vermont to use my IKON pass, there was only one place that I wanted to visit: Vermont. My original plan was to fly into Albany, drive to one of the ski areas of upstate Vermont and then – finally – visit Montreal.

As I’d already visited Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton in the Saranac Lake area of the Adirondacks, I knew that I wanted to focus on experience Vermont vs staying in New York. I search for hotels that felt - right. Everything around Stowe, from Field Guide Lodge (Trip Advisor reviews didn’t leave me with a good feeling) to Awol Stowe (too Scandinavian minimalist for the price) just didn’t hit. Even the Hotel Champlain Burlington, Curio Collection by Hilton felt too mass market for what I was looking for. I didn’t want corporate. I didn’t want trendy for the sake of trendy. I wanted cozy. Distinct. Beautiful. And priced in a way that made sense.

One search led to another, and somehow I found myself browsing the Lark Hotels website. A few clicks later, I landed on Blind Tiger Burlington – and immediately knew this was it.

Check In

After flying in and picking up my rental car from Albany airport, I received a text alerting me that my room was ready. I also called and asked about an on site restaurant or bar. The friendly voice on the other end told me that there wasn’t – however the location was easily walkable to everything that Burlington had to offer. It made me settle into my three hour drive from Albany to Burlington a bit easier.

When I arrived, parking was simple and stress free – always a win in a walkable downtown area. Stepping inside felt like entering the coziest Vermont bed-and-breakfast I could have imagined. I was guided through the common spaces, each room layered with texture, color, art, and personality. It was eclectic without being chaotic. Thoughtful without being staged.

It didn’t feel like a hotel. It felt like a well designed home.

Room and Stay

Blind Tiger Burlington is the definition of eclectic design – bold wallpaper, vintage touches, curated details everywhere you look. And yet, somehow, it still feels grounding. Comfortable. Livable.

My room, Twin Tips (Room 5), sat on the second floor in a quiet corner with two windows letting in soft winter light. The bed was large, beautifully made, and impossibly inviting. After a travel day and with a ski day ahead of me, I looked at it and genuinely questioned whether snowboarding the next morning was worth leaving that cocoon.

It was the kind of bed that I wanted to sink into and immediately exhale.

The bathroom had everything I needed: clean, simple, efficient. And most importantly – the shower got exceptionally hot. After cold Vermont mornings, that detail mattered more than anything else.

Beyond the room itself, I loved the shared spaces throughout the property. A cozy snack room. Quiet nooks for reading. Coffee and tea stations that encouraged you to slow down. It was easy to come back after a long day on the mountain, pouring a cup of tea, and settling into one of the plush chairs with zero agenda beyond writing about my adventures.

Breakfast at Blind Tiger Burlington

Breakfast was visually beautiful. It looked carefully arranged, thoughtful, and clearly curated with care. From a presentation standpoint, it was lovely.

For me personally, I tend to prefer something a bit more substantial before a full day. While it wasn’t the heartiest breakfast I’ve had, it absolutely did the job and held me over until I could grab something later in Stowe and Waterbury.

Overall

I wanted a home base that felt warm after cold days. I wanted character. I wanted something memorable and not interchangeable. Most of all, I wanted a place I’d genuinely look forward to returning to.