This Vermont Inn Is Home to New England’s Only Smoreologist

Chad Tinti admits he’s not the world’s first or only smoreologist. When he and partner Ross Little opened their boutique, adults-only inn, the Brattleboro, in September of 2022, they were determined to offer guests visiting southeastern Vermont the types of sophisticated experiences they’d enjoyed during their own travels. Stay sequestered in the woods in one of three serene guest rooms, and you can sip martinis chilled to exactly 20 degrees, set out on a guided forest immersion, or engage the services of your very own smoreologist.

Tinti relishes the role, inspired by the smoreologist he met at luxury resort Paws Up in Montana. Think of smoreology as the art, or science, of elevating basic s’mores to the level of a gourmet treat. When graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate just won’t do, your smoreologist comes to the rescue with add-ons and gentle instruction to ensure your marshmallow toasting and tasting experience is sublime.

“We bring out hot sauce, barbecue chips, pretzels, Reese’s peanut butter cups, Oreo cookies,” all on a dessert charcuterie board, Tinti describes. In the warm weather months, when skies are clear, the activity takes place by the fire pit outside, near the hot tub and infrared sauna. Or guests can choose instead to sit in Adirondack chairs by the pond, savoring their gooey-delicious creations as the stars pop out.

Even on rainy or wintry cold days, the s’mores making must go on. To that end, Tinti and Little have invested in personal indoor fire pits, too. It’s an even more intimate experience, toasting marshmallows indoors and experimenting with flavor combinations in the glow of the great room’s gas fireplace.

Need help toasting marshmallows? Tinti will gladly assist, but he says the fun really is doing it yourself. “It brings back that nostalgia of growing up and making s’mores by a fire pit outside,” he says. If guests didn’t have that childhood experience, “they can create a new memory by doing it here—without feeling like they have smoky hair after sitting out by a fire,” he says.

For the Brattleboro’s owners, renovating and opening the inn has been a labor of love. “We both put everything on the line to do this,” Tinti says. As they expand the property, eventually adding a restaurant and spa, their aim is to continue to attract “guests looking for something a little bit different,” and to provide unexpectedly upscale service and amenities in their corner of Vermont.

SEE MORE:

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Brattleboro, Vermont

Make Green Mountain S’mores with Homemade Graham Crackers

Mmm… Campfire S’mores Dip Recipe