After a long night of bubbly and Auld Lang Sine, you’ll have quite the appetite — but who wants to slave over a hot stove when you could be continuing your New Year’s celebration in the company of good friends and family? Here are four of our favorite establishments that take care of the cooking so you can welcome the New Year without any stress.
The Thayer Hotel
The United States Military Academy at West Point
Readers voted the Thayer’s breakfast spread not once, not twice, but four times in our Best of Hudson Valley poll — so it’s no wonder it’s at the top of our list of Best New Year’s Brunches. Take in the beautiful Hudson River vistas from the dining room of this historic hotel while noshing on a buffet that offers both breakfast and lunch options. With live-action cooking stations; a dessert table stacked with decadent sweets; and endless glasses of Champagne, Bloody Marys, and mimosas, you’ll certainly have no problem saluting the new year in style.
$44.95; 1:30 p.m. www.thethayerhotel.com
» How to get there: Directions to Thayer Hotel in West Point, NY
Bear Mountain Inn
Bear Mountain
Named one of our top five getaways in 2013 (find our why our editor-in-chief thinks so here), the Bear Mountain Inn’s oversized fireplace makes for a perfect spot to cozy up while pondering your brunch options. Should you order off the à la carte menu, or indulge in the breakfast buffet for $19.50? Breakfast includes traditional favorites like waffles, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, while the à la carte menu features even more lunch options. Decisions, decisions. Thankfully, both options will satisfy you plenty. (Don’t worry about ruining your fitness resolutions, either: you can work it all off by going for a few laps around the outdoor ice skating rink! The hour-and-a-half sessions start at 10 a.m. and go all the way to 8 p.m. on the holiday.)
$19.50; 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. www.visitbearmountain.com
» How to get there: Directions to Bear Mountain Inn in Bear Mountain, NY
Ship to Shore
Kingston
Ship to Shore — with its prime waterfront views on the Strand — may have nabbed this year’s Best of Hudson Valley award for “best seafood,” but today, we’ve got our eyes set on the annual New Year’s Day brunch. The menu features favorites like eggs Benedict on toasted baguette, banana-walnut French toast with honey and whipped cream, and steak and eggs. And don’t forget the unlimited mimosas, peach bellinis, and pineapple martinis.
$25; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. www.shiptoshorehudsonvalley.com
» How to get there: Directions to Ship to Shore in Kingston, NY
The Tavern at the Diamond Mills Hotel
Saugerties
Is it any wonder why the Valley’s “best boutique hotel” (Best of Hudson Valley 2013) and one of 2013’s Best New Restaurants makes an appearance on our brunch list? With CIA-trained chef Giuseppe Napoli in charge of the menu, breakfast at the Tavern is always an over-the-top experience. Guests are treated to a buffet with made-to-order omelets, a meat-carving station, and a bevy of desserts to please even the biggest sweet tooth.
$29; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. www.diamondmillshotel.com
» How to get there: Directions to the Tavern at the Diamond Mills Hotel in Saugerties, NY
