The Main Dining Room at von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort

We enjoyed quite a few breakfast buffets and dinners during our week-long stay at the resort. Views outside were stunning morning and evenings. Our wait help was mostly waitresses and exchange students from all over the world and personable. They wore traditional Austrian garb. From host to wait staff. It felt like we were doted on as important guests of the von Trapp family themselves. The presentation was beautiful, every meal, every day absolutely delicious! You could tell that they used the freshest ingredients and tried and true recipes. Presentation and service was high-end but not high-nose. Truly, a feast for the eyes and palate.

We made a reservation a month ahead of time as we were flying into Vermont to see the leaves change. My husband and I were expecting the white tablecloth, the fine dining experience in their dining room. We called ahead of time just to confirm where we would be eating and they said the dining room. My reservation also said the dining room. However, upon getting to the hostess station, she informed us that we are supposed to sit Outside In the patio area with the heat lamps. We told her we had a dining room reservation and she said no it was outside, but she offered us a place next to the bar which consisted of wood picnic style tables and flies. While the food was delicious and our server did a great job, we were sorely disappointed to have planned for this special occasion only to be relegated to the picnic table next to the bar that felt awkward as people walked through and we were the only ones seated in this weird area. Felt like being at the little kids table on Thanksgiving. I decided to go back and show her our reservation where it said “dining room.” She said she would look to see if she could “find a table.” 10 minutes later, after we gave up and had already ordered she came to offer us seating where we should’ve been in the first place. I did not see that it was that absurdly busy to warrant a mistake like that. No manager in site to ask us how our meal was or to even give us an opportunity to tell them what happened so they can make it right. The gentleman who looked like a manager seemed to be preoccupied with trying to get the propane tanks working outside on the patio for the people that were sent out there. Nice spot but won’t be back.

The best schnitzel I've had outside of Europe! It is almost a week later and I'm still dreaming of it! I got the French Onion soup as an appetizer which was delicious. The bowl was angled which had me make a little bit of a mess, but I didn't mind. My husband ordered the soup that was on special which was also delicious. We each ordered the schnitzel for our entree and it did not disappoint. The schnitzel was the perfect thickness and crispy to perfection. The herb spätzle was amazing as well and paired so well with the schnitzel. I love a good cucumber salad and was so excited this came with one - I just wish there was more (mind you, I say that knowing I was stuffed and could barely finish my meal. It was just so good I wanted more!). The red cabbage was delicious as well and not overpowering like it can be. And finally, the lignonberry jam, so delicious! I loved that it was served right on top so I could spread it to enjoy on every bite. Our son got the kids chicken tenders. They were as good as expected since we were ordering chicken tenders in an Austrian restaurant. We went here for me and my taste buds, not his. We ended the meal with the Austrian Trio (again, we were stuffed but I can't say no) and it was equally as delicious. I love a good strudel so I was excited to try theirs. It tasted very authentic, not overly sweet. Surprisingly the real star in the trio for me was the Linzertorte (again, still thinking about it!). The trio was perfect for the 3 of us to share considering we were absolutely stuffed. But if we wanted to share with anyone else there wouldn't be enough. As someone who knows Austrian food very well, I highly recommend. plus the view is gorgeous from up there! I will definitely return one day (hopefully soon).

We are staying at the hotel for two nights, and knew prior to our stay that we’d pay for their famously “incredible” breakfast at least one of the mornings we were here. The breakfast was disappointing, to say the least. We were seated in front of exit doors that were infested with lady bugs, which wouldn’t have been a huge deal if everything else had measured up. The size of the buffet spread was mediocre, at best. Absolutely nothing like the vast variety of foods you’d see at a buffet in Austria or anywhere in Europe, really. If you say you’re trying to emulate a certain vibe, then actually do it justice. And for $27 per person, I’d like to think the orange juice would at least be freshly squeezed. Boxed juices seem incredibly cheap for the high price tag. The waitress also wasn’t transparent about the cost of the mimosas, so that was an extra $24 charge. We were also then asked to pay gratuity on our breakfast, even though the waitress was barely present throughout our meal and it was a self-serve buffet. What on Earth am I paying gratuity for? We DID, because we felt awkward, but it was in very poor taste for the hotel to even ask. Especially because the “wait staff” is also hotel staff, according to the woman at the front desk, and so their pay is not dependent on tips. I’ve never been to a hotel, anywhere in the world honestly, where I’ve had to tip for a buffet breakfast as a GUEST at the hotel. Also for $60 just for the plates, I could’ve gone to a cute place somewhere in town — which we are going to do today on our last morning. 5/10. The hotel is gorgeous, but eat your breakfast elsewhere unless it’s already included in your room price (also not worth the extravagant up-charge).

Finally got to dine here. We arrived at night for dinner so I would still like to visit during the day. We had a to wait for a table despite arriving on time for our reservation but it was well worth it. After the generous portions of duck hash and salad for appetizers we chose to share the beef medallions with shitake and crab toppings. Everything we ate was delicious but the steak was perfection. I have been craving it again. The restaurant was full and server was great. It was later than our usual dinner reservation so we decline dessert but there is always next time..

This was by far the worst money I spent on our fall vacation to Stowe. Avoid this restaurant at all costs. First, the hostess was holding open tables of 4 in leu of sitting our party of two. We waited 1mins past our reservation with open tables readily available. Not to mention several other parties of 2 waiting as well. Second, this is supposed to be an Austrian inspired menu. There were two things on the menu that were Austrian, snitzle and apple strudel. My wife had the pork snitzle and spatzel and it had 0 seasoning and was over cooked. The noodles were congealed and the pork was flavorless and tough. I had the burger and it was the worst burger I've ever had - meat was undercooked (ordered medium) and adding boursin cheese to soemthing doesn't make it worth $48. Lastly, you can just add fois gras to a burger and expect people to be OK with it. It was a terrible addition and had 0 flavor also. We couldn't leave quick enough. To avoid the taste/smell of the food but also the stampede of bus loads of group tourists flocking to the resturant because they got a group discount deal. DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE.

We had a great time with our server, Teras. The restaurant and inn were both absolutely beautiful. For drinks, we got the snuggly snowman which I loved. We also got the pretzel and beet salad for appetizers, both delicious. For entrees, we got the Baked Salmon, Octopus Salad, Vegetable Curry, and Roasted Chicken. I lovedddd the curry. Overall, a great experience.

It was good, not great. View and table we sat at were wonderful, and there was piano music live a definite plus. Food was OK, server seemed very busy and I felt we were forgotten a few times. There lacks a spirit of hospitality here as if staffers and servers were going thru the motion or were just plain tired, I'm not sure. Beautiful lighting in the dining area, but bulbs were out and was noticeable, at least to me. There is a beautiful place and I want it to do well, something was just missing.