Swanton Motel
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About
4.0
#1 of 1 small hotel in SwantonLocation
4.1
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.1
Value
3.8
The last AAA approved motel before the Canadian border. We are a family run motel and gift shop where cleanliness is top priority. Updates include new water pipes to the south half of the motel to improve water flow and pressure. We also remodeled four rooms with new bathroom tile, tubs, toilets, sinks, ceilings, lights, and ceiling fans. Newly painted bedrooms with new light fixtures, mirrors, paintings and furniture. Vending room machine added with ice machine. We sell CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Location
112 Grand Ave, Swanton, VT 05488-1424
Getting there
Burlington Intl Airport
30.5 mi•
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Plattsburgh International Airport
24.3 mi•
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Rental Cars
12 Restaurants
within 5 miles
29Reviews0Q+A4Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
We just bought a house down the road from this charming roadside "motel" and were very happy we chose it instead of a more boring chain motel in St. Albans nearby. The décor clearly shows a great deal of pride to it. The gardens by the outdoor pool are impeccably maintained and the room was absolutely spotless which is very important to us. The owner has built a charming little gift shop in the office with all sorts of wonderful little souvenir and house decorating gifts, and even makes her own candles to sell in the store. Our room had air conditioning, an older but spotless bathroom, microwave, fridge, and coffee maker. They even offer a cute little snack basket where you can buy things mini bar like for just one dollar each which is a very nice touch. This place is located almost in the center of town which boasts a bike shop, a pizza place, a diner for breakfast and lunch, and a wonderful historical center made from a restored railroad station which is staffed m-f from 12-3. Our rate of 102 per night included taxes and is very reasonable for the area which is very busy in mid July when we stayed. Hiking, biking, canoeing, and historical sites are all nearby as is the Missiquoi Wildlife sanctuary. I was a little confused by some of the negative reviews I saw written about this place previously. The pride of ownership of this hotel is self evident. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me thru tripadvisor.com. Thanks!! Jay Kerch
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Date of stay: July 2013Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â We were in Room 105 which was spotless.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Motelman_12, Owner at Swanton Motel
Responded Feb 16, 2014
The older bathrooms are on their way out! We have remodeled four of them down to and including the tile and replacing the drop ceilings with a nice painted dry wall.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Though I was immediately offered a 10% discount on the $100/night rate (8-26-12) for riding a bike, my budget had not included a room for this night, anticipating staying with a friend. However, after going up the road and seeing what was available for $60/night, I turned around and went back! Nolan was pleasant and welcoming, though I had now interrupted his dinner twice!
It wasn't just that the Swanton has a pool, I felt comfortable and safe, as a woman traveling alone. It was a beautiful evening and I was so impressed with both the room and the grounds, I wandered about taking photographs, feeling no need to close the door to my room while in or out!
I travel a lot, staying in everything from little independent motels to the Hilton. The Swanton is the Hilton of the little independents! Wooden hangers, glass drinking vessels, ceramic coffee cups, with metal spoons, and a vase of colourful silk flowers on the bureau are a touch of class rivaling the Clarion!
The room, and the bathroom, were exceptionally clean. The soap dispensers at the sink and in the shower are neat, sanitary, and thrifty. The towels are thick and snuggily soft. The spray from the shower head could have been better, and I felt only mild temperature fluctuations at the tail end of a long, hot shower.
I found the bed to be very comfortable, with extra blankets and pillows in the dresser. The room was well lit, with easily accessible switches; whether in the bathroom, sitting at the table, or reading in bed.
The bedside drawer holds a folder containing the menus of local eating establishments, several of which offer delivery services. Optionally, the coffee pot, microwave, and refrigerator provide the means to store and prepare personal supplies at will.
Entertainment options in the room include a flat screen, cable TV, DVD player (with DVDs available at the office), and Wi-Fi. Outside, across a well paved parking lot, is a BBQ patio next to the pool and tended gardens.
There was a patched section behind the door that had yet to be painted. It had been properly repaired, the white of the spackle the only clue there had been damage.
This is a family run motel, with the feel of being welcomed into a private extension of their home, without the personal interactions of a bed and breakfast. Nolan was quick to point out that all the quaint little touches are that of his mom, while he is just learning how to take care of everything.
The Swanton Motel is a rare gem for guests of the road! Highly recommended.
It wasn't just that the Swanton has a pool, I felt comfortable and safe, as a woman traveling alone. It was a beautiful evening and I was so impressed with both the room and the grounds, I wandered about taking photographs, feeling no need to close the door to my room while in or out!
I travel a lot, staying in everything from little independent motels to the Hilton. The Swanton is the Hilton of the little independents! Wooden hangers, glass drinking vessels, ceramic coffee cups, with metal spoons, and a vase of colourful silk flowers on the bureau are a touch of class rivaling the Clarion!
The room, and the bathroom, were exceptionally clean. The soap dispensers at the sink and in the shower are neat, sanitary, and thrifty. The towels are thick and snuggily soft. The spray from the shower head could have been better, and I felt only mild temperature fluctuations at the tail end of a long, hot shower.
I found the bed to be very comfortable, with extra blankets and pillows in the dresser. The room was well lit, with easily accessible switches; whether in the bathroom, sitting at the table, or reading in bed.
The bedside drawer holds a folder containing the menus of local eating establishments, several of which offer delivery services. Optionally, the coffee pot, microwave, and refrigerator provide the means to store and prepare personal supplies at will.
Entertainment options in the room include a flat screen, cable TV, DVD player (with DVDs available at the office), and Wi-Fi. Outside, across a well paved parking lot, is a BBQ patio next to the pool and tended gardens.
There was a patched section behind the door that had yet to be painted. It had been properly repaired, the white of the spackle the only clue there had been damage.
This is a family run motel, with the feel of being welcomed into a private extension of their home, without the personal interactions of a bed and breakfast. Nolan was quick to point out that all the quaint little touches are that of his mom, while he is just learning how to take care of everything.
The Swanton Motel is a rare gem for guests of the road! Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: August 2012Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Motelman_12, Owner at Swanton Motel
Responded Feb 16, 2014
The spray from the shower head should be better now and temperature fluctuations less. We've replaced the pipes to the south half of the motel with larger sizes to allow more flow and making changes to the hot water system to address issues that were also contributing to temperature fluctuations.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've had the pleasure of staying at Swanton Motel twice in the last year and half. Once for two nights in October and once for two nights in June ... both visits were exceptional.
Shelly and her family run a great motel that places an emphasis on cleanliness and customer service. The rooms are spotless, crisp looking, and odor free. Each room has a/c, flat screen tv, dvd player (the office has about a thousand dvd movies for free guest use), cable tv, powerful free wifi, microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot and hair dryer. Beds are very comfortable and towels are nicely soft. Snacks are provided in the room for $1 each (honor system). Ice machine and soft drink machine is centrally located. Small gift shop in the office with nice, well-priced stuff. I think they have a couple of suites available, but not sure.
All rooms are strictly non-smoking (thank you!) but outside each room are two adirondack chairs and a table with an ashtray if you're a smoker (good luck with that during the winter). Grounds are nicely landscaped and the pool is clean and looks to be very kid-friendly. Basketball hoop in the parking lot near the pool.
The rates are comparable to chain motels in the area, but apparently they get an awful lot of repeat business so they must be offering something the other places lack.
Overall, a great place to stay. I was only going to rate this with a 4-star because of no continental breakfast, but the owner told me they are in the process of setting that up so I added the 5th star because they seem to be very responsive to what their guests want.
I'll be back.
Shelly and her family run a great motel that places an emphasis on cleanliness and customer service. The rooms are spotless, crisp looking, and odor free. Each room has a/c, flat screen tv, dvd player (the office has about a thousand dvd movies for free guest use), cable tv, powerful free wifi, microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot and hair dryer. Beds are very comfortable and towels are nicely soft. Snacks are provided in the room for $1 each (honor system). Ice machine and soft drink machine is centrally located. Small gift shop in the office with nice, well-priced stuff. I think they have a couple of suites available, but not sure.
All rooms are strictly non-smoking (thank you!) but outside each room are two adirondack chairs and a table with an ashtray if you're a smoker (good luck with that during the winter). Grounds are nicely landscaped and the pool is clean and looks to be very kid-friendly. Basketball hoop in the parking lot near the pool.
The rates are comparable to chain motels in the area, but apparently they get an awful lot of repeat business so they must be offering something the other places lack.
Overall, a great place to stay. I was only going to rate this with a 4-star because of no continental breakfast, but the owner told me they are in the process of setting that up so I added the 5th star because they seem to be very responsive to what their guests want.
I'll be back.
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Date of stay: July 2012Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â I understand they fill up during the summer and fall months, so you may want to call ahead.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Place has cockroaches and bugs. Tons on ants in the bathroom. Crack heads live all around you. Not a good place. I highly recommend a different place. Also the owner and his wife are highly rude and disrespectful.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When you book an economy motel, you are prepared for surprises. But, at Swanton Motel, there were none. Quite the contrary. We had to overnight near North Hero for a winter festival (Great Ice) and there are practically no hotels open in the winter. We took the suggestion of a local, checked out the positive internet comments, and booked. Swanton has a number of amenities which are rarely found in economy motels: a very large bathroom, an exceptionally quiet two-phase toilet (not the usual noise which lasts for minutes), a full length mirror, a large TV screen, great (free) internet connection, a heater which works silently throughout the night (not like the ones that wake you up every 1/2 hour when they turn back on) and, last but not least, a room which is spotlessly clean. Restaurant options in Swanton are limited, but you need go no further than the Pizza House which has professional management (the owners, who else?) and an extensive menu of well-priced Italian dishes.
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Date of stay: February 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The air conditioner kept turning off. You need to have an electrician check the power. Something is fluctuating causing the breaker to turn off. One time the unit was not turned on and the breaker still opened.
2. You need to fumigate your rooms. I found a tick crawling across the bathroom floor.
3. You need to change your beds. The one in room 108 is a board.
4. Vacuum under the furniture every once in a while, layers and layers of dust. Look under the couch. There is a toy Easter egg. It has been at least two weeks.
2. You need to fumigate your rooms. I found a tick crawling across the bathroom floor.
3. You need to change your beds. The one in room 108 is a board.
4. Vacuum under the furniture every once in a while, layers and layers of dust. Look under the couch. There is a toy Easter egg. It has been at least two weeks.
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Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shelly C, Owner at Swanton Motel
Responded Oct 3, 2018
Thank you for your review and I apologize for our untimely response. I share your frustration with the 2014-2018 management. We have recently replaced the staff and management this past spring of 2018. Under our new management, we have made many improvements. This past year, we have replaced mattresses (including 108), refrigerators, linen, and carpets. Our maintenance has been in process of updating electrical this year, and will run into next year's improvements. As a family owned business in a heavily taxed state, it is hard to do all the renovations/updates we wish. 1. We are hoping to replace window AC units with split unit A/C units this spring. 2. Cleanliness in our rooms has been brought back to exceed owners expectations. While replacing cleaners, we ensured proper training. Our manager inspects every room before it's considered clean.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I derived from past reviews that cleanliness is nearly an obsession here. I've been to very clean accommodations, and I wondered what could make the Swanton motel's cleanliness so notable. The question was quickly answered. I've never before seen a housekeeper on hands and knees scrubbing stains off the outside walkway. The same housekeeper then ran a sort of industrial-size carpet cleaner down the curb to get up any small litter - along with most of the road grit! Inside was just as clean - spotless and well-maintained.
Is the place on the older side? Yes, with some of the issues inherent to an older place, like noise from neighbors. Fortunately, most of the neighbors were courteous during my stay, except for two guys who were apparently unaware that doors close without being slammed, and one idiot who decided to play basketball at 5:30 AM one day! Strangely, as well-maintained as the place is, it almost looked like a replica of an old-time motel.
Anyway, service was good, and the room was secure, generally quiet and exceptionally clean. All amenities were clean and functional.
The prices were more than competitive for the area, and I will gladly stay here in the future.
Is the place on the older side? Yes, with some of the issues inherent to an older place, like noise from neighbors. Fortunately, most of the neighbors were courteous during my stay, except for two guys who were apparently unaware that doors close without being slammed, and one idiot who decided to play basketball at 5:30 AM one day! Strangely, as well-maintained as the place is, it almost looked like a replica of an old-time motel.
Anyway, service was good, and the room was secure, generally quiet and exceptionally clean. All amenities were clean and functional.
The prices were more than competitive for the area, and I will gladly stay here in the future.
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Date of stay: May 2014Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Try to get a room away from the basketball hoop.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A comfortable stay in a very dated, yet clean mom and pop motel. The room has all of the amenities: tv, dvd player, microwave, fridge, hair blower. Furniture is old. Carpet is old. Curtains and blinds are old. A bit of a facelift would do wonders. Slept well!
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Date of stay: August 2016Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were on a motorcycle trip (5 men) and needed rooms for Friday & sat. nights, 8/14 & 8/15/15. We rented on phone site unseen as this was only place in the area with openings. Myself, my brother and his son rented a two bedroom suite for $292.00 for the two days. The place was relatively clean, had some food available in the kitchen (though we never used any), a tiny cheap TV with around 8 channels available, and the WiFi was so slow I just used my 4G gigabits up instead. Very old furniture, and was "well worn" in general. The windows were so dirty you could barely see thru them and the pool, although nice and clear, was FULL of assorted bugs, I mean hundreds, and had no odor of chlorine. My son and his friend rented a two double bed room in similar conditions for about $240.00 next to mine. Other than the really rough pavement, the grounds were very attractive and well kept.
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Traveled with friends
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Swanton Motel is a basic, classic motel. The rooms were clean and had in room coffee service 9with Wolfgang Puck coffee), microwaves and a fridge, plus a high capacity ice machine available. There was free wifi, but is was slower than the cell service. This is very much a budget motel and a great value. About 1 mile from town center, with one restaurant.
The pool looks like it was recently redone and is beautiful.
The pool looks like it was recently redone and is beautiful.
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Traveled with friends
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"Swanton is a small town with a quaint charm. It is close to the border so if you are on a long driving trip to Montreal, the motel is a good place to stay before going into Canada."Read full review
"I understand they fill up during the summer and fall months, so you may want to call ahead."Read full review
LOCATION
United StatesVermontSwanton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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Frequently Asked Questions about Swanton Motel
Which popular attractions are close to Swanton Motel?
Nearby attractions include Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (2.8 miles), Maple City Candy (1.0 miles), and Carman Brook Farm (4.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Swanton Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
What are some restaurants close to Swanton Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Cody's Cafe, Shaggys Snackbar & Pizza, and Mother Hubbard's Bakery, Deli and Country Store.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Swanton Motel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Swanton Motel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the center of Swanton.
Are pets allowed at Swanton Motel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Swanton Motel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Saint Albans Museum (7.3 miles).