Cradled by pines and with the smell of fresh flowers in the air, Tanglebloom Cabin in Vermont is a true off-the-grid hideaway. Reconnect to the nature that surrounds you from the tiny 10x10ft cabin, just steps from the property’s flower farm.
The farm grows over a hundred different varieties of flowers, from vibrant peonies to delicate foxglove to quietly beautiful hellebore and so many more, and the cabin was built as an addition to the property based on a design by architect Robert Swinburne. Featuring screened walls to let the light and a gentle breeze in, the experience is a step-up from camping. You’re right in the middle of a Vermont forest grove, yet with plush linens, an outdoor kitchen for morning coffees, and, of course, a Wood Burning Hot Tub to relax and take in the beauty around you.
We were excited to speak with Melissa, who started the Tanglebloom Cabin alongside her partner, Mike.
What’s the story behind Tanglebloom? Behind the Tanglebloom cabin, specifically?
Tanglebloom started in 2013 with just the flower farm—I wanted a studio that would also employ sustainable floristry practices. In 2010, I was getting married and we were looking for a florist, but couldn’t find anyone who would use mostly local flowers. I did some research and learned a lot about the floral industry — like how around 90% of the flowers at that time in the US were imported, how sometimes the materials used can be toxic, and more.
That’s how Tanglebloom started. While we were building the farm, my husband wanted to build a little cabin on our property. We came across a cabin designed by the architect Robert Swinburne, and it was perfect. When we had a baby and weren’t using the cabin much, we tried renting it out. We were skeptical and thought it would be way too rustic, and we ended up being surprised how much people were really digging it.
Back then, it was just the structure as a standalone cabin. We slowly started adding more amenities and had some amazing photos taken by Ethan Abitz that helped to put it on the map. During the pandemic, we added an outdoor kitchen, and an outdoor shower. And now, the GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub!
What is a ritual that you practice to help you slow down?
It’s always changing, but my current favorite thing to do is get up early and go for a run. On the way back, I walk around the flowers on the way and pick a handful that’s just for me. It’s one of those funny things—I’m always giving away the flowers that we grow, just like that saying, “the cobbler's children have no shoes.”
So, when I do pick flowers for my own home, it’s about having that moment of doing something for myself and also connecting to my surroundings. And I really notice so many things through the blooms—it’s how I mark the different seasons of the year.
Describe a moment of pause at Tanglebloom. What does it look, sound, feel like?
This time of year—spring—is honestly just so magical. The farm itself where the guests arrive is very open, with lots of flowers blooming. Then, you just walk down this little path into the forest and you feel like you’re in a totally different place. It’s quiet, smells like the forest, and you’re surrounded by white pine and hemlock.
Also, what comes to mind is the first time we soaked in the Wood Burning Hot Tub. It was evening and the sun was starting to set. The leaves hadn’t all come out on the trees yet, so you could see the sunset from the tub. There were geese flying overhead. You could hear the river in the distance. You feel like you’re a million miles away—it’s almost like the curtain of trees separates everything and creates this whole different moment.
We always love seeing where the Wood Burning Hot Tubs end up—so often in such beautiful locations, and Tanglebloom is no exception. How did you decide on the placement?
The Wood Burning Hot Tub is down a little path, so it’s a bit separate from the cabin. We wanted to be able to get water to it easily. So, that was the main limiting factor—basically we made it as far as we could get the hose to!
We really wanted it to be within the trees, and feel private and magical. A forest isn’t a place where you usually see a hot tub — usually it’s out in the open or on a deck. It felt like a simple luxury to have it in the forest. Something so special, but in reality so simple—it’s just water and you’re just soaking.
Why did you end up choosing a GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub?
Once we saw GOODLAND, I immediately felt like it looked perfect and exactly what we wanted. For us, the size was perfect, because our listing has a maximum occupancy of two adults. Also, because we’re on a farm and already using a lot of water, we wanted something that wouldn’t overuse water.
It really checked all the boxes. We wanted something that would be easy for guests to use, something small, something that could be off grid, and it turns out this was really hard to find.
Having an Airbnb, it also helps that it’s so easy to clean. I love the aluminum interior—we got an all-natural spray cleaner and it works really well. We have a few farmhands, too, and it’s easy to show them how to use it. Also, we love how it can be moved! Since our cabin is seasonal and we don’t rent it out in the winter, that means when the weather is cold, we can move it to our deck to use ourselves.
What would you tell other Airbnb hosts who are thinking about getting a GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub?
I think for someone who is hosting guests, having the instruction plate with the QR code is so helpful. And I love the videos that Craig has put together—these are all things that usually you’d have to do all that yourself. So it’s just amazing to have all of that already done.
What do you see for the future of Tanglebloom Cabin?
People who stay at the cabin always say things like how it’s the best they’ve slept in years, how they feel like themselves again—so many wonderful things. And we really take all of that very seriously. It feels like an honor and responsibility to help more people find that slow down.
Part of that, is we want to focus more on hosting immersive experiences with the cabin and workshops—maybe even something like a day-use of the cabin. I would love to have people come for the day to soak in the tub, and have the cabin to meditate, do yoga or read. It’s such a great way to just pause for a day, even if they can’t stay overnight. The Wood Burning Hot Tub is really giving us good ideas! I’m so excited about it and how we can use it at Tanglebloom.
All photos in this article are by Ethan Abitz, courtesy of Tanglebloom.
Our A Place to Pause series explores our favourite stays and accommodations, each one featuring exceptional design, a connection to nature, and a Wood Burning Hot Tub.
