Otherland Hotel, a nature-forward boutique hotel and riverside retreat located in the foothills of Vermont’s lush Green Mountains, is now open, according to a press release.
The 20-room, nature-forward hotel sits on 40 acres along scenic Route 30, where guest rooms open into a wide meadow and the mountains, as the West River runs quietly along the property’s edge. Just outside the front door are gravel roads and rail trails for cycling, historic covered bridges, swimming holes, nature preserves and hiking on nearby Black and Putney Mountains.
Otherland Hotel is owned and operated by Susan Zhao and Boris Mordkovich, the husband-and-wife co-founders of Moving Castle Hospitality. The pair purchased the property, originally built in 1969 as the Riverbend Motel and most recently known as The Lodge at West River, in 2025, and spent the past year fully renovating and reimagining it as a four-season riverside retreat with the comforts of a modern boutique hotel. Otherland is the couple’s second nature-forward property, following the 2022 opening of Lumen Nature Retreat in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
“As soon as we saw the property, we recognized its potential,” said co-owner Susan Zhao. “The bones were strong. With our design background, we knew we could transform it into a place where guests can genuinely disconnect, unwind, and enjoy quiet moments surrounded by nature’s elements: earth, air, fire, and water.”
Designed in Scandinavian-inspired style, Otherland is neither a rustic lodge nor a luxury resort. Every room features a large window framing the mountains, with a built-in reading nook made for slow mornings. Guests move between private and common spaces – fireside lounges, saunas, riverbank nooks – that invite them to linger rather than move on.
Notable features of the property include:
- A private five-bedroom house, ideal for multigenerational family gatherings and small group retreats.
- Two indoor lounges anchored by a large fireplace, with seating arranged for conversation, shelves of books, and a collection of games.
- A communal guest kitchen and breakfast area.
- An on-site store stocked with essentials and local goods.
- Two outdoor saunas: a classic A-frame sauna and a “mirror sauna” whose reflective exterior offers panoramic views and added privacy.
- An outdoor fire pit and activities lawn.
- Private West River access, with quiet riverbank beaches for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating.
Otherland is within easy reach of several major cities. It resides approximately two hours from Boston and Albany, 90 minutes from Hartford, two and a half hours from Providence, and three and a half hours from New York City, making it a natural home base for exploring southern Vermont’s scenic landscapes and nearby attractions, including:
- Black Mountain Natural Area and Deer Run Nature Preserve
- The West Dummerston and Scott covered bridges – quintessential symbols of New England history. The West Dummerston Bridge, built in 1870, crosses the West River and is one of the longest covered bridges in the state
- Green Mountain Orchards and Dutton Berry Farm, where guests can enjoy Vermont’s storied agricultural charm
- Hidden Springs Maple (authentic local Vermont maple syrup!)
- The Newfane Flea & Farmers’ Market, a local favorite for treasures and handmade goods
“Our own passion for travel and the outdoors keeps pulling us deeper into the Northeast,” said co-owner Boris Mordkovich. “Each season here has its own rhythm – summer by the river, autumn hikes, winter skiing and quiet fires, spring mornings as the valley wakes up. We wanted to create a welcoming home base where guests can experience all of it, any time of year, and always have a warm, calm place to return to.”
For rates, details and to plan your stay at Otherland Hotel, visit www.stayotherland.com.
