While many head south in February, it’s a quiet time in the Hudson Valley and a great season to travel within the region. Here are three places to escape without driving far from home.
Botsford-Briar B&B
Beacon
Originally built by hat maker Lewis Tompkins this majestic 1889 Queen Anne Victorian, is set high up on a hill overlooking the Hudson River. Purchased in 1994 by Shirley Botsford, a professional textile designer, she named her home after the wild roses in the backyard. The house was featured in the movie Nobody’s Fool starring Paul Newman.
Step back into another century upon entering the antique-filled tearoom, enormous parlor, and formal dining room, all on the first floor. Ornate carved details, original woodwork, and four decorative fireplaces are sights to delight those who love Victoriana.
The largest of the three upstairs bedrooms offers a panoramic view of the Hudson, particularly striking during the winter months. In addition to Dia: Beacon, a paradise for modern-art lovers, Beacon’s Main Street is filled with boutiques and restaurants. And the Hudson Highlands offers some of the best hiking in the region. Prices for rooms range from $185 to $225 per night and children over the age of 10 are welcome during the week only.
The Inn at Kettleboro
New Paltz
Located a few miles south of New Paltz in the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains, there are four beautifully decorated rooms in this historic 1830 Dutch Colonial; each one named for an apple (Empire, Cortland, Braeburn, and Winesap) in honor of the orchard behind the house.
The inn opened in 2014, after extensive renovations by owners Michael Aiello and Robert Witkowski. The perfectly appointed parlors and an array of common rooms are all cozy places to relax fireside while watching the sunset.
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A farm-to-table morning repast is served at 9 a.m. to all guests, a good way for everyone to meet in the spacious breakfast room overlooking the Gunks. For hikers, access to the 23-mile Wallkill Rail Trail is only a short walk from the inn. New Paltz also offers the Dorsky Museum, historic Huguenot Street, miles of scenic trails at Minnewaska and Mohonk, and an array of restaurants.
Kettleboro is a child-free inn; room rates remain the same on weekdays and weekends ($250-$275 per night).
Red Robin Song Guest House
New Lebanon
This vegan B&B, situated in the hills on the New York side of the Berkshires, is surrounded by 85 acres of forest with private hiking and snowshoeing trails. Guests may explore part of the Appalachian Trail on nearby Mount Greylock, and excellent skiing in the Berkshires is nearby.
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Lisa Robinson-Redd and her husband, Jeffrey Redd, both originally from Illinois, moved to this northern corner of Columbia County in 2010 and opened their home and an animal sanctuary to visitors. There are more than 60 rescue animals including rabbits, goats, pigs, a donkey, cats, and dogs.
Robinson-Redd loves sharing the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Her pancakes made with flax meal, almond milk, and a dash of apple cider vinegar are fluffy and delicious. Other offerings include vegetable-based sausage, almond-butter crepes, and tofu quiche.
There are three rooms (one with private bath; two share a bathroom), an ideal choice for a family. Rates range from $160 to $260 per night and children over the age of 15 are welcome.
Woodstock resident Joanne Michaels is the author of 10 books, including The Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains: Only the Best Places and Let’s Take the Kids: Great Places to Go in the Hudson Valley.
