$299 - Vermont 2-Night Luxe Retreat for 2, Reg. $582

The Deal

Typically to get inside a chef's head -- to find out why they added a dash of this or a speck of that -- you'd need to pin down an elusive (and often pricey) ticket to a chef's table. At Vermont's Essex Resort & Spa, however, we've arranged a deal where you can hobnob with the "confident and precise" chef (per The Burlington Free Press) during a stay that slashes nearly 50% off current prices.

Arrive any day Sunday-Wednesday through October for a two-night stay in a traditional room for $299 (reg. $478). For $449, check in any day Thursday-Saturday for a two-night stay (reg. $598). All stays include daily breakfast for two ($64 value), where you can pick from a menu boasting treats like pumpkin bread French toast or a lox salad prepared with salmon from Maine.

Start the evening with admission for two to the resort's brand-new "Amusing Hour" (reg. $40), a culinary twist on happy hour where the chefs mingle with guests while preparing and serving appetizers, amuse bouches, and signature cocktails assembled from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The Free Press further praises the chef, saying it's "fun and interesting and gratifying to be on the eating end of his selections."

After filling your stomach, fill up the rest of the day with all the other activities available at this AAA 4-Diamond resort. There is a full-service spa, an outdoor pool with waterfall, and a cooking academy that can further expand your culinary skills. The resort can help arrange other excursions, from putting across the nearby golf course to cycling through the forest to floating above it all in a hot-air balloon.

Terms and Conditions
Once the room is reserved with the hotel, hotel cancellation policy prevails, and cancellations or changes must be made seven days prior to arrival or the voucher is subject to forfeiture. Hotel-imposed penalties may apply. Any unused credit will be forfeited upon checkout. This deal cannot be combined with other offers. No cash value. Taxes, gratuity and $15 daily resort fee are additional. Must be used in one visit. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol.