ABOUT US
Highland Lodge has a rich history as a cherished Bed & Breakfast, welcoming guests since the mid-1900s.
Highland Lodge isn’t just any ordinary B&B—it’s so much more. HILO is a place you’ll fall in love with, a destination you’ll want to revisit time and time again, and a retreat made to share with your favorite people.
From our cozy accommodations to our Farm to Table cuisine, there’s no shortage of delights here. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Whether you’re gliding along our world-class cross-country skiing trails, hiking through breathtaking landscapes, biking scenic routes, or enjoying our private beach on the spring-fed Lake Caspian, the opportunities for fun are endless. Swim, sail, fish—or simply relax and soak in the beauty around you.
When the sun sets, the magic continues. Our inviting in-house restaurant and bar welcome both guests and the local community, offering a menu crafted with love and featuring the finest local and seasonal ingredients. We take pride in showcasing the incredible talent of regional artisans and producers.
What keeps people coming back? It’s the relaxed, welcoming vibe that feels like a true escape from the hustle and bustle. Elsa and Chad, the devoted caretakers of Highland Lodge, are delighted to share this little slice of heaven with you. They can’t wait to welcome you into this special place and make you feel right at home.
About us
The lodge
At Highland Lodge, our friendly and dedicated team works tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for every guest. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and genuine warmth—no exceptions. All are invited to soak in the beauty of Greensboro and the surrounding Northeast Kingdom, a place where connections are made, and everyone is free to simply be themselves.
Highland Lodge is more than a getaway—it’s a gathering place. Here, community members and visitors come together to enjoy lively music, savor delicious locally sourced food, sip expertly crafted cocktails, and share a Vermont craft beer or two. It’s a vibrant, joyful space where memories are made side by side.
We’re also deeply committed to sustainability, ensuring the Lodge is set on an environmentally conscious path for the next 60 years and beyond. Every update and addition to the Lodge is thoughtfully designed to blend our historic charm with fresh, forward-thinking innovations—focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices.
While some of these updates might feel new for our longtime guests, rest assured, the heart and soul of Highland Lodge remain unchanged. We’re confident you’ll still feel right at home.
THE INNKEEPERS
We’re “from away,” as the locals would say—Harrisonburg, Virginia, to be exact. But we came with a different perspective. In 2017, we decided to relocate to a more mountainous region—one that aligned with our values, supported the lifestyle we wanted to live, and brought us closer to the incredible culture this bountiful state offers.
When we first moved to Vermont, we settled in Groton State Forest, where we operated Seyon Lodge State Park—an 8-bedroom, B&B-style lodge on the shores of Noyes Pond. From there, we found ourselves at the doorstep of Highland Lodge just as the COVID pandemic began. It was a challenge in every way, but one we embraced and overcame with the support of our wonderful community. Since then, we’ve welcomed each season with fresh eyes, meeting an incredible variety of guests along the way.
We like to think we have great taste in food, beer, music, recreation, and people. Our favorite meal? One we don’t have to cook! We love camping, snowboarding, mountain biking, spending time on the water, traveling, attending music festivals, and making memories with family and friends.
Our outlook on life is simple: treat others the way you want to be treated and leave every place better than you found it. Hopefully, you’re picking up what we’re putting down. We can’t wait to host you on your next visit!
Cheers,
Elsa & Chad
The History
Highland Lodge has long been a place where generations of guests return to experience the beauty and character of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Overlooking Caspian Lake and Barr Hill, the Lodge began life as a farmhouse in the 1860s before becoming a cornerstone of Greensboro’s summer and winter community. The Smith family purchased the property in 1954 and over the next six decades expanded it into a beloved retreat, adding cabins, trails, and gathering spaces while cultivating a culture of warmth and tradition. Under their stewardship, the Lodge became a place where families swam at the private beach, skied the Nordic trails, and returned year after year to reconnect with friends, neighbors, and the surrounding landscape.
In 2016, after more than 60 years in the Smith family, Highland Lodge entered a new chapter under the stewardship of a Vermont-based group of couples who had long loved the property as guests—particularly for its Nordic skiing, Caspian Lake summers, and unmistakable Northeast Kingdom charm. Having watched the Lodge wane over time, they felt strongly that it deserved thoughtful reinvestment and long-term care to ensure it would continue serving both the Greensboro community and visiting families for generations to come.
Peter and Ashley Milliken, Tim Briglin and Laurel Mackin, and James Bandler and Rebecca Holcombe came together with a shared commitment: preserve what made Highland Lodge special while giving it the financial foundation and renewed energy needed to thrive. Rooted in Vermont and deeply connected to the region, the ownership group approached the project not as outside developers, but as longtime supporters determined to safeguard a beloved gathering place.
In the early years of transition, the group partnered with Chicago-based entrepreneur Heidi Lauren Duke, who helped lead the Lodge’s initial revitalization efforts and restore its creative hospitality spirit. After several years of collaboration and renewed momentum, leadership transitioned once more. At that point, management passed to Elsa Schultz and Chad Sims, working in close collaboration with the six Vermont ownership partners to steward the Lodge’s continued evolution. Together, they operate as a unified leadership team—pairing on-the-ground hospitality and daily operations with long-term vision and investment.
Elsa and Chad bring a fresh yet deeply grounded approach rooted in hands-on care, working side by side with staff to maintain the property while thoughtfully expanding its offerings. In partnership with the ownership group, they carry forward the same guest-first spirit that has always defined Highland Lodge—ensuring longtime visitors feel at home while new guests discover the magic of this storied retreat. Their shared leadership balances preservation with progress, guiding the Lodge through both challenge and growth while securing its future for years to come.
What sets the current ownership team apart is the depth of their involvement—not just financially but personally. In addition to shouldering the cost of major sustainable updates, such as installing a large-scale solar field to offset the Lodge’s energy use, the ownership team are each regularly on the ground, paintbrush in hand, pitching in on renovations and daily projects. This balance of investment and sweat equity underscores their commitment: Highland Lodge is not just a business venture, but a labor of love. Their collective efforts ensure that every update—from solar power to restored cabins—preserves the character and spirit that have drawn guests here for generations.
Today, Highland Lodge thrives under this unique partnership of devoted owners and hands-on managers. Together, they safeguard its unfussy charm while preparing it for the future, ensuring that the Lodge remains an anchor for Greensboro and a destination where families, artists, skiers, and dreamers can gather for generations to come. The story of Highland Lodge is, at its heart, the story of community—of people who believe deeply in this place and who continue to nurture it with vision, care, and a steady hand toward the future.