‍ Under These Darling Skies…come in

LODGE, ARTS & RECREATION SANCTUARY - UPPER VALLEY, VERMONT

Green is the valley, Blue is the night.

‍ Darling Skies is a fully private log cabin ranch estate set on over five and a half acres of lush, landscaped grounds in the Upper Valley of Vermont, bordered by ten thousand acres of state land and the Waits River. It is not a hotel. It is not a resort. It is a single, secluded property available exclusively for the guests who are present.

There is a working orchard, a professional music rehearsal space, a recreation area, and wilderness in every direction. The kitchen is fully stocked. The internet is fiber-fast (via Starlink). The nights are very quiet, and the stars are very close.

Darling Skies does not advertise rates publicly and wishes to continue to be available by word of mouth only. For availability and access, please inquire directly via the form at the bottom of this page. Peak season (Late Summer, Fall & Winter) arrangements are typically made several months in advance.

View exiting the property

The Ranch Estate.

The winding driveway off the Waits River Road leads uphill from the road passing the barn and into complete seclusion. By the time the main building comes into view, the outside world is already behind you.

The grounds at Darling Skies are expansive, lush, and meticulously maintained with intentional landscaping throughout, featuring unique and beautiful plantings, mature trees, and natural scenery that changes with every season. The property backs directly onto ten thousand acres of Vermont state land with marked trails accessible on foot from the estate.

Over five acres of private, landscaped estate grounds
Two on-property creeks
Working orchard with apple, pear, peach, and plum varieties
Original mini horse farm heritage
500+ square-foot deck with Cuisinart BBQ, standalone smoker, dining table w/umbrella and swinging bench
Outdoor fire pit
Horseshoes and lawn games area
The Waits River runs along the road at the base of the driveway
Directly adjacent to 10,000 acres of Vermont state forest with marked hiking trails
Stunning night skies and constellations visible overhead most clear evenings
Barn with hayloft and power
Gardiner’s Shed (former home to two mini-horses)
5 mins from 91 North/South
7 Mins from Hannafords grocery store (w/ beer+wine), gas (w/ diesel) and Kinney Drugs Pharmacy

View entering the grounds

The Accommodations.

Darling Skies offers three private bedrooms, each thoughtfully appointed and designed for rest. All bedding is luxury-brand and entirely new. Laundry is on-site. Two full bathrooms and two showers serve the property. The whole place, all 2,500 square feet, is yours.

The main floor is a soaring open space framed by centuries-old reclaimed wood beams and knotty pine from floor to ceiling. A pellet stove anchors the room with warmth, a remote-controlled skylight lets the night sky in on demand, and a ceiling fan keeps the air easy in every season. French doors open directly onto the deck and BBQ.

The views from the great room are the kind that stop a conversation. A full 180 degrees of private land stretches hundreds of yards into the forest below - entirely yours, entirely uninterrupted. It is a warm, layered, genuinely beautiful space. People settle in here and lose track of time.

Inside you will find a 65-inch television, a projector in the second main room, a state-of-the-art sound system including a 10-inch powered subwoofer, a pool table, and an extensive library of books, board games and video games (including Nintendo Wii hunting). All audio-visual adapters, chargers and cables are on hand.

The property is heated by a new high-efficiency boiler with hot water baseboard throughout and includes a new ultraviolet light water purification system. Darling Skies stays warm, cozy and comfortable every day of the year, in every season. The grounds are also seasonally treated for stinging insects each month by professional nationally franchised exterminators.

3 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms
65” TV in main room & projector on the second main room. TV’s in each bedroom.
New LP heating system throughout with 2 temperature controlled zones
Seasonal in window air conditioning in bedrooms B/C
Wrap around deck with table, umbrella, BBQ and swinging bench
Full sized appliances, dishwasher and laundry machines
Primary dining table w/leaves seats 6-8

The Kitchen

The kitchen is fully equipped with full-sized appliances, double-basin sink, a toaster oven, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, and dishwasher. It arrives stocked with dry goods including coffee, sugar, and the basics. Bring your groceries from nearby (7 mins) Hannafords and cook or simply settle in as-is.

Too remote for take out? Not so, nearby Cloatina Exit treasured by locals for 50 years, serves above average (even for Hannover St. in Boston, seriously) Italian cuisine with a separate takeout storefront. Summers feature excellent pizza with local ingredients.

Connectivity

Darling Skies runs on Starlink satellite internet uninterrupted, ultra-high-speed, unlimited and reliable even in the most remote corner of the Vermont hills. Stream, work, or just leave it on in the background. It works.

There is also a working landline, as per Vermont law, which provides access to emergency services.

Studio A (Queen)
Studio B (Queen)
Studio C (Full)
Desk/work space (w/ external monitor)
Jack & Jill Bathroom 1 (w/ soaker tub)
Bathroom 2 (W / shower)

Explore the Valley.

‍ ‍ Darling Skies was conceived by a Berklee College of Music and Harvard University graduate with roots in music, sports & outdoor life, and the belief that the best spaces hold both. That background is present throughout the property in the gear, in the acoustics, in the way the rooms are laid out.

Darling Skies sits at the edge of ten thousand acres of Vermont state land. That means the outdoors here are not a backdrop they are the main event. The property is built for people who want to be in them.

Two creeks run through or along the grounds. The Waits River is at the base of the driveway.

The forest begins where the lawn ends.

Fishing, Hiking & hunting

‍ The Upper Valley and surrounding region offer exceptional freshwater fishing. Brook trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, and pickerel are all accessible within a short distance of the property. The on-site creeks offer frogs, toads and other wildlife.

Guided fly-fishing instruction can be arranged for guests upon request. Gear is available on a loaner basis.

The Vermont hardwoods and hillsides surrounding Darling Skies hold whitetail deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and black bear. Licensed guides who know this land are available through arrangement. The estate’s position directly adjacent to state forest makes it an ideal base for multi-day expeditions. Deer stands can be found within a 45 minute walk.

Whitetail deer - archery and rifle seasons
Wild turkey - fall and spring
Ruffed grouse and woodcock
Black bear (with licensed guide)
Vermont hunting licenses can be arranged upon request from the Fish and Game Wardens office

Marked hiking and walking trails on the adjacent state land are accessible directly on foot from the property grounds. No drive required.

Golf & Skiing

Bradford Golf Course — Bradford, Vermont

Seven minutes from the estate. Bradford Golf Course is a well-maintained nine-hole course with carts available and a relaxed, genuinely local atmosphere. It is a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon without making a day of it. Golf in Vermont the way it was meant to feel.

9-hole course with cart rentals
Bradford, Vermont - approximately 7 minutes

Lake Morey Country Club — Fairlee, Vermont

Approximately 15 minutes from Darling Skies. Lake Morey Country Club is one of the most storied courses in New England -the host of the Vermont Open and a course that rewards precision and patience in equal measure. Set along the shores of Lake Morey in Fairlee, the views are as memorable as the layout.

Host of the Vermont Open
Full 18-hole championship course
Fairlee, Vermont - approximately 14 minutes
Also accessible: Lake Morey itself, one exit away, for swimming (public beach access) and waterfront/boat ramp.

Darling Skies sits in the heart of New England ski territory. When the snow comes to the Upper Valley, it comes properly - and there are slopes within easy reach for every level of skier in the group.

Northeast Slopes - East Corinth, Vermont is one of the region's best-kept secrets for families and beginners. A genuine, unhurried mountain with a welcoming atmosphere, affordable lift tickets, and terrain that builds confidence without intimidating anyone. It is the kind of place where kids learn to ski and adults remember why they love it. Approximately 12 minutes from the estate.

Killington, Stowe, Okemo, and Saskadena Six are all within range for guests looking for bigger terrain and longer days on the mountain.

Enjoy Nature.

But just in case…Trail maps, bear spray, tick kits, and bug repellent can all provided upon request. Ammunition and a significant variety of high end outdoor gear, clothing, shoes and some local foods can be purchased at the famous Vermont gear store “Farmway” which is less than 10 minutes from the cabin and spans over several large buildings. They have everything! Vermonters travel from around the state to purchase essential gear at this one of a kind store. Definitely worth a visit.

Property Location and Proximity to State Trails & Waits River

Music.

Make something here. Inspired by studio A at the Powerstation in NYC, the music making areas at Darling Skies are a proper working spaces. Not themed rooms with a guitar on the wall. A full setup with real gear, real acoustics, and enough space to actually play, plus no neighbors to worry about.

The second main room has a pool table and the PA sound system, which also leads outside and means the line between rehearsal and recreation dissolves naturally.

Guests have stayed at Darling Skies specifically to write and record. Others have simply picked up a guitar at midnight and played until they remembered they were on vacation. Either is welcome.

Andy Shoniker & Mike Harmon‍ have been appointed the official harmonic stewards in charge of music curation and can be available for professional rehearsal session consultation, session work and composition. Both are accomplished Berklee College of Music trained musicians based in the northeast and New England.

For extended rehearsal and recording sessions the barn space can also be outfitted. It features a rustic country feeling interior great for music videos, 220v power, fuse box and a concrete foundation.

Backlining support can be coordinated through Studio Instrument rentals Los Angeles/NYC (ask for Moses Soghmonyan) or note on your booking.

For a complete list of our professional equipment, click here

Studio A - Powerstation NYC

The Orchard.

The orchard grove at Darling Skies is a working one. The trees produce in the fall, and when they do, what comes off them ends up on the table, in your beverage, or in a jar to take home.

Fruit production is seasonal - peak harvest runs through the autumn months. Guests staying during that window are welcome to the orchard, although yields are limited to ensure proper growth.

What Grows Here - From the Orchard Master:

“Every tree on the property is cold-hardy, zoned for the Vermont climate and thriving in it. They are zones 3 through 5, selected for this landscape specifically. The orchard is managed organically throughout, only neem oil, no chemicals. Many are still young and already producing generous yields of genuinely delicious fruit.”

Apples: Six varieties (please see chart). Available for picking during fall harvest season.

Pears: Red Bartlett and green Kieffer varieties. Rich, fragrant, and ready in late summer and early fall.

Peaches: Elberta, Reliance & Halehaven varieties. A genuinely delicious luxury fruit, fresh picked and northern grown! (I get my peaches…from my backyard, not down in Georgia)

Plum: Santa Rosa. Small batch, deeply flavorful. Beautiful color.

Blueberries: Multiple strains.

Local Farm Stands.

Eat from the Valley. The Upper Valley has some of the finest farm stands in New England. Two of the best are close to the property and worth a stop on your way in or any day of your stay, Pearson’s farm in Bradford, VT and the exceptional 4 Corners in Newbury, VT with amazing views of the green mountains and cartoon quality produce, cheese, preserves, baked goods and premium beef. They also have Guineafowls running all over the place for pest control, so be mindful with the dogs and small children!

All photos taken at Darling skies Orchard grove

Click here for the Orchard Chart

Cape Air over West Lebanon Airport

Getting Here.

By Air

For guests, air travel arrangements can be made directly to West Lebanon Regional Airport (LEB) in West Lebanon, New Hampshire which can handle mid-sized private jets (5,400ft paved runway). The airport is served by Cape Air with scheduled regional connections, and private charter arrangements are available upon request (please see below).

From the airport, AVIS car rental is available on-site. The estate is approximately 30 minutes by car from LEB.

Airport: West Lebanon Regional Airport (LEB), West Lebanon, NH
- YUL Montreal 2.5 hours + USA/Canada border crossing
Airline service: Cape Air (scheduled daily service from Boston Logan International)
Charter: Private arrangements available for VIP guests upon request via Flexjet (ask for Captain/check pilot Michael Farqueson) or note on your booking.
Car rental: AVIS on-site at LEB
Drive time to estate: approximately 25-30 minutes via 91-N or 45 mins via scenic Route 5 North.

By Car

Darling Skies is located in the Upper Valley on the Vermont/New Hampshire border, accessible via Interstate 91. The property sits one exit from famous Lake Morey in Fairlee, Vermont.

Arrival instructions, access codes, and the specific address are provided to confirmed guests upon booking. The driveway winds up from the Waits River Road to the fully private estate grounds above.