Photos courtesy of Hutton Brickyards
The historic event venue features Salt Hotels accommodations, a luxurious spa, gourmet cuisine, and a host of activities in Ulster County.
Few regions are as effective at breathing new life into historic destinations as the Hudson Valley. Locals transform factories into small-batch breweries, convert abandoned zoos into boutique inns, and revive dilapidated theaters. From antiques centers to live-work-play communities, this area reigns supreme in upcycling gorgeous structures.
Hotels are especially reaping the benefits of Hudson Valley creativity. Drawing upon the region’s storied past as a luxury destination — think Borscht Belt and Irish Alps — owners of unique getaways infuse urban sensibilities and rural beauty into their accommodations. Hutton Brickyards, a prolific event venue and summer destination in the region, opens an all-in-one hotel, spa, and dining destination at Kingston‘s waterfront.
“Hutton Brickyards is a rambling, imaginative new hotel, spa, restaurant, and events retreat,” account executive Meghan Wirtz says. “The property encourages guests to relax and engage with nature.”
Though the area is not lacking in immersive staycations, the experience at Hutton Brickyards is truly special. A total of 31 personal cabins line the banks of the Hudson River, meaning that an overnight stay in New York’s first capital yields incredible panoramic views. The quaint structures blend into the background due to their dark gray exterior, and showcase the majesty of Kingston Point Beach.
Upon arrival, visitors tour the grounds before settling into their cozy retreat. The Hutton Brickyards team outlines the varied offerings across the 73-acre campus. After that, guides introduce guests to the distinctly industrial architecture. Likewise, event pavilions, spa areas, and activity zones are just a short stroll away. Visitors can hike, bike, kayak, or snow-shoe (depending on the time of year) their way through the former site of the Hutton Brick Works Company.
Every room is equipped with a “thirsty flag.” Guests simply hoist these colors for on-demand afternoon cocktail service. Similarly, each style of stay bathes visitors in natural light through expansive windows. Visitors seeking a natural escape will flock to Forest Queen Cabins, and those craving a waterfront sunrise will love the Riverview King Cabins. Pine interiors add to the atmosphere curated by Salt Hotels’ Hutton Brickyards.
If that wasn’t enough, every room also spoils guests with apothecary bath amenities, a mini-fridge and coffee maker, a Bluetooth speaker for music, and a personal in-room service tablet.
Additionally, small families of four can rent out “The Cottage,” a historic piece of architecture at the center of the Hutton Brickyards grounds. Guests can relax in a large clawfoot soaking tub and grab drinks at a fully stocked wet bar. Just outside, a grand courtyard invites plenty of open-air entertainment. Adirondack chairs surround a firepit, and the groomed lawn extends right to the Hudson River’s edge, which allows for evening strolls with cocktails in hand.
“The Hutton Brickyards team is dedicated to honoring the land that they sit on and its history and hopes to foster that experience with guests,” Wirtz says. That history dates back to 1865, when William Hutton and John Cordts bought this patch of land along the river. The Hutton Brick Works Company quickly became a major player in the most prolific brick-making region in the world. Hudson River manufacturers fueled the fast-growing metropolis Manhattan as it rebounded from large fires in 1845.
After over 100 years of continuous operation, the brickyards ceased production. A petting zoo and restaurant opened their doors onsite in the 1980s (the restaurant burned down in 1985). Over the years, major events brought crowds in the thousands to the riverbank. Bob Dylan sold out two shows, and Smorgasburg hosted 9,000 visitors. After seven years of restoration, Salt Hotels assumed operations and opened the reimagined Hutton Brickyards to the public in May 2021.
Even when dining, guests can still explore the grounds. For instance, wood-fired ovens and grills illuminate The River Pavilion. This open-air eatery on the Hudson elevates local ingredients in gourmet dishes.
“Fireplaces and chic design elements add layers of texture and comfort to the dining experience. The kitchen will rely solely on wood-burning heat sources, including lumber sustainably retrieved from the grounds. Multi-course tasting menus are inspired by the Hudson Valley’s bounty,” Wirtz says. Eclectic wines pair with plates curated by Executive Chef Dan Silverman. Organic farms nearby provide many of the items found on Silverman’s menu.
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A full menu of massages and facials at the Hutton Brickyards spa also source products from the Hudson Valley. For instance, Beekman 1802, Apis Apotheca, and Cultivate Apothecary round out their stock of farm-crafted skincare. Few elements of a stay at Hutton Brickyards can compare to the view from inside the waterfront saunas.
Above all, the structures onsite are striking as some of the last remaining examples of brick-making architecture in the Hudson Valley. From Yankee Stadium to the Empire State Building, The Hutton Brick Works Company literally helped to build New York City.
Now, over 160 years later, Hutton Brickyards builds a new experience in the Hudson Valley.
