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Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm: Which Luxury Resort Deserves Your Next Getaway?

October 25, 2025 by
Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm: Which Luxury Resort Deserves Your Next Getaway?
Lewis Calvert
Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm: Which Luxury Resort Wins? (2026)

The Short Answer

Pick Twin Farms if you want a quiet, adults-only retreat where one rate covers almost everything. Pick Blackberry Farm if you want a bigger Tennessee estate with deep wine, more activities and room for kids.

Both are Relais & Châteaux properties. In the Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm debate, the pricing model matters more than the thread count.

  • Best for couples: Twin Farms.
  • Best for families: Blackberry Farm.
  • Best for wine lovers: Blackberry Farm.
  • Best for "leave the wallet at home": Twin Farms.
  • Lower starting rate: Blackberry Farm, before extras.

How We Compared These Two Luxury Resorts

  • We used official resort pages, Relais & Châteaux listings, Forbes Travel Guide and U.S. News.
  • We added one 2026 luxury-advisor review for Blackberry Farm's costs.
  • Every figure links to its source. We left out anything we could not verify.
  • Rates are published "from" prices. Confirm them with the resort before you book.

Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm at a Glance

FeatureTwin FarmsBlackberry Farm
LocationBarnard, VermontWalland, Tennessee
Land300 acres (resort site)4,200 acres (Wikipedia)
Accommodation28 cottages and suitesHistoric rooms, cottage suites and multi-bedroom houses (advisor review)
GuestsAdults only, plus occasional family weeksFamilies welcome
IncludedMeals, wines, spirits, activities, equipmentMeals. Alcohol and most guided activities cost extra
Published rateFrom US$3,220 a night (Relais & Châteaux)About US$1,500 a night, plus 20% service charge and 14.75% taxes and fees
RecognitionForbes Travel Guide Five-StarZagat's best small hotel in America, 2004

What Do You Actually Pay?

  • Twin Farms: Rates start at US$3,220 a night. The resort says stays cover all meals, fine wines and spirits, activities and equipment.
  • Blackberry Farm: Entry rooms start near US$1,500. Houses run US$6,000 to US$7,000 a night, says one advisor.
  • Service charge: U.S. News confirms a 20% charge on every Blackberry Farm stay. On a US$1,500 room, that adds US$300.
  • Extras: Alcohol is not in the nightly rate. Guided activities mostly cost US$150 to US$325 per person.
  • Children: Ages 4 and up cost US$250 a night, including meals. Kids 3 and under stay free.
Blackberry Farm, room only $1,500 Blackberry Farm + 20% charge $1,800 Twin Farms, all-inclusive $3,220
Published starting rates per night, before taxes. Twin Farms includes drinks and activities. Blackberry Farm does not.

Blackberry Farm costs less on paper. A couple who drinks wine, fishes and rides horses can narrow that gap quickly.

Rooms and Setting

Twin Farms

  • All 28 rooms have their own design. Forbes cites a birch-twig Treehouse and a Moroccan-themed Meadow cottage.
  • The property displays museum-quality art throughout.
  • Forbes notes a private ski slope with six groomed trails and a skating rink.
  • Guests can paddle a canoe across Copper Pond.
  • The estate once belonged to author Sinclair Lewis, the first American to win the Nobel Prize in literature.

Blackberry Farm

  • The estate borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  • It is a working farm with its own spa, the Wellhouse.
  • Room types run from Historic Rooms to Carriage House, Holly Glade and Singing Brook suites, then full houses.
  • The advisor recommends Singing Brook for families because many suites connect.
  • Golf carts come with suites and houses, but not with Historic Rooms.

Food and Drink

  • Twin Farms: Forbes says menus at every meal match each guest's tastes and dietary needs.
  • Twin Farms extras: The resort offers private dinners in your room and picnics in the forest.
  • Blackberry Farm: The Barn is the flagship. Jackets are recommended, and guests must be 10 or older.
  • The Dogwood: This is the relaxed option for breakfast and lunch.
  • The cellar: The advisor reports more than 150,000 bottles, deep in Burgundy.
  • Watch the bill: In-room dining and picnic lunches cost extra at Blackberry Farm.

Activities Compared

ActivityTwin FarmsBlackberry Farm
Hiking and bikingIncluded. Bikes to borrowLeisure hiking is free. Guided trips cost extra
Fly fishingOfferedHesse Creek, guided trips from US$150 per person
Winter sportsPrivate ski slope and rinkWinter is the quietest season
On the waterCopper Pond canoeingPaddle sports May to October, about 45 minutes off-site
Horseback ridingNot listed by Relais & ChâteauxFrom US$175 per person
SpaBridge House SpaThe Wellhouse
CostCovered by the rateMost guided activities cost extra

Kids, Couples and Dogs

  • Twin Farms: Forbes says children under 18 are generally not permitted, except during family weeks.
  • Blackberry Farm: Camp Blackberry takes ages 3 and up for US$140 a session, plus the 20% charge.
  • Pets: Blackberry Farm allows dogs with advance notice. They must stay leashed.
  • Romance: Forbes calls Twin Farms perfect for couples. The advisor calls it more intimate.

Best Time to Go and How to Get There

  • Twin Farms closes from about mid-March to late April or early May.
  • Twin Farms peaks in autumn. Book early for foliage.
  • Twin Farms access: It sits 90 minutes from Burlington, three hours from Boston and five from New York City.
  • Blackberry Farm peaks in October. The advisor suggests booking six months ahead.
  • Blackberry Farm access: It sits under 20 minutes from Knoxville's airport.

Which One Should You Book?

Choose Twin Farms if you want:

  • One rate with drinks and activities included.
  • A small, adults-only stay.
  • Winter skiing on the property.

Choose Blackberry Farm if you want:

  • A lower starting rate and a family-friendly stay.
  • A bigger estate with more to do.
  • A wine-focused trip.

A fair warning

  • Tripadvisor rates Blackberry Farm 4 out of 5. Some reviewers found the price high for what they received.
  • The advisor says service has softened but still calls the property excellent. She rates Twin Farms as more consistent.

Planning Tips Before You Book

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Twin Farms all-inclusive?

Yes. The resort says stays cover all meals, fine wines and spirits, activities and equipment.

Is Blackberry Farm all-inclusive?

Only partly. Meals are included, but alcohol, room service and most guided activities cost extra, according to the advisor review.

Which is cheaper, Twin Farms or Blackberry Farm?

Blackberry Farm has the lower starting rate. Twin Farms may narrow the gap once you add drinks, service charge and activities.

Can I bring children?

Blackberry Farm welcomes them. Twin Farms is adults-only, apart from scheduled family weeks.

When should I visit each resort?

Both shine in autumn, so book well ahead. Twin Farms closes for several weeks in spring.

Final Verdict

Twin Farms wins for a quiet, all-in couples' escape. Blackberry Farm wins for families, wine and variety. Pick the one that matches who is coming, then confirm current rates directly.

Sources

  1. Twin Farms official website
  2. Relais & Châteaux: Twin Farms
  3. Relais & Châteaux: Vermont listings and rates
  4. Forbes Travel Guide: Twin Farms
  5. Forbes Travel Guide Stories: Twin Farms
  6. Relais & Châteaux: Blackberry Farm
  7. Wikipedia: Blackberry Farm
  8. Travel With Merritt: Blackberry Farm review (April 2026)
  9. U.S. News Travel: Blackberry Farm
  10. Travel Weekly: Blackberry Farm
  11. Tripadvisor: Blackberry Farm


Twin Farms vs Blackberry Farm: Which Luxury Resort Deserves Your Next Getaway?
Lewis Calvert October 25, 2025

Lewis Calvert is the Founder and Editor of Big Write Hook, focusing on digital journalism, culture, and online media. He has 6 years of experience in content writing and marketing and has written and edited many articles on news, lifestyle, travel, business, and technology. Lewis studied Journalism and works to publish clear, reliable, and helpful content while supporting new writers on the Big Write Hook platform. Connect with him on LinkedIn:  Linkedin

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