Web Design | Green Trails Inn
Brookfield, Vermont
After developing the visual identity for Green Trails Inn, the next step was to create a website to help bring Josh and Andrew’s vision to life.
After leaving Dallas to purchase and fully renovate the historic inn in Brookfield, Vermont, they weren’t simply reopening an existing bed-and-breakfast. They were introducing an entirely new experience while respecting the property’s history and its place within the local community.
The website needed to solve several important challenges. First, it had to breathe new life into a dormant domain by improving search visibility and generating new traffic that would translate into bookings. It also needed to introduce the newly renovated Pond Village Pub, helping establish it as a destination for both guests and the local community. Finally, the website needed to capture the feeling of Green Trails Inn itself—warm, welcoming, rich in history, and deeply connected to the charm of rural Vermont.
Project Details
Client: Josh and Andrew
Date: September 2025
Skills: Web Design
Visit: https://greentrailsinn.com/
Number of Pages
Initial Turnaround Days
Think.
Building on the brand identity, every element of the website needed to reinforce those goals. From the photography and storytelling to the layout, navigation, and user experience, the site needed to help visitors picture themselves staying at the inn long before they ever made a reservation.
Before any design work began, we spent time researching hospitality websites from around the world. Josh, Andrew, and I explored bed and breakfasts, boutique inns, and historic accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each site offered something different, whether it was the use of photography, the pacing of the content, the balance between history and modern amenities, or the way it guided visitors toward booking a stay.
One idea kept coming up throughout our conversations. Josh wanted the website to feel like a story. Not a list of rooms and amenities, but something that unfolded naturally, inviting visitors to slow down and experience the character of the inn. He often described it as having the warmth and charm of an old “Once Upon a Time” story.
That vision shaped every design decision. Rather than overwhelming visitors with information, the website was carefully structured to reveal the inn one chapter at a time.
Design.
With the strategy established, it was time to bring the experience to life.
Every design decision needed to support the story we wanted visitors to experience while making it easy for them to explore the inn, discover the surrounding area, and ultimately book their stay. Rather than focusing on trends or unnecessary features, the website was built around a series of design challenges that needed thoughtful solutions.
My goals for the new design for 2025 included:
1. Let the Photography Tell the Story
One of Green Trails Inn’s greatest strengths is the property itself. Josh and Andrew invested an incredible amount of time restoring the historic inn, and every room reflects that care and attention to detail. It was important that visitors could appreciate the renovations before they ever arrived.
Professional photography by Bailey Masi-Wood became the foundation of the entire website. I’ve always believed that a website is only as strong as the media it has to work with, and these photographs deserved to take centre stage.
A large, immersive hero banner immediately introduces visitors to the beautifully restored property, while spacious layouts allow the photography to breathe throughout the site. Rather than competing with the imagery, the design supports it.
2. Create a Sense of Warmth and History
The website needed to feel as welcoming as the inn itself.
Building on the established brand identity, soft greens and warm beige tones were paired with elegant typography and subtle ornamental textures to create a timeless aesthetic. Every visual element was chosen to reinforce the feeling of comfort, hospitality, and history without becoming overly decorative.
The result is an interface that feels refined while remaining approachable, encouraging visitors to slow down and explore instead of rushing to the next page.
3. Make Booking Simple
A beautiful website only succeeds if it helps guests take the next step.
Throughout the website, clear calls to action encourage visitors to book their stay without disrupting the storytelling experience. Dedicated room overview pages provide a quick comparison of accommodations before leading visitors to detailed room pages featuring larger photo galleries, amenities, and booking links.
The navigation was also custom-designed to remain elegant while making important information easy to find, whether visitors are browsing on a desktop computer or a mobile device.
4. Showcase More Than Just the Inn
The newly opened Pond Village Pub quickly became an important part of the overall guest experience, so it deserved its own space within the website. Dedicated pages introduce the pub through photography, menus, and coverage of its grand opening, helping communicate the welcoming atmosphere Josh and Andrew envisioned from the beginning.
The website also celebrates the inn’s history through a dedicated Legacy page, allowing visitors to discover the stories that have shaped the property over the years.
To further enhance the guest experience and strengthen the website’s SEO, we created an Explore Vermont section highlighting nearby attractions, hiking trails, scenic destinations, and day-trip opportunities. This not only provides additional value for guests planning their visit but also helps the website attract travellers searching for things to do throughout the region.
5. Build Trust Before Guests Arrive
To help visitors feel comfortable before making a reservation, we incorporated real guest reviews from Google and TripAdvisor into a custom-designed Guest Book experience. The overwhelmingly positive feedback speaks for itself while fitting naturally within the storytelling approach of the website.
We also created an “In the News” section highlighting media coverage surrounding the restoration and reopening of the inn, further reinforcing Green Trails Inn’s connection to the local community.
Finally, important guest information—including policies, frequently asked questions, and booking details—is presented clearly throughout the site, ensuring visitors know exactly what to expect before they arrive.
Connect.
The best hospitality websites don’t simply provide information; they create a feeling.
Every design decision made throughout the Green Trails Inn website was intended to help visitors picture themselves arriving in Brookfield, settling into one of the beautifully restored rooms, enjoying dinner at the Pond Village Pub, and exploring everything Vermont has to offer. Before a reservation is ever made, the website begins telling that story.
Ultimately, the website does far more than showcase a beautifully renovated inn. It captures Josh and Andrew’s vision of hospitality, celebrates the history of Green Trails Inn, and creates a genuine connection with the people they hope to welcome. Every page was designed with one goal in mind: to inspire confidence, create anticipation, and make guests feel like their stay has already begun long before they arrive.