A prospective guest once asked the Inn at Pine Plains’ Patti Vincent, “What’s the difference between this place and the Marriott?” The short answer is “Every room is different.” But to really appreciate the charm of this spot, you’ve gotta stay here.
Although it’s been opened less than a year, the inn already has a comfortable, lived-in look thanks to the efforts of innkeepers Vincent and John Vernon, who scour estate sales for quirky antiques and accessories to decorate the rooms. Pitchforks, surveyors’ lamps, Victorian portraits, old local maps add oomph to the décor, along with aboriginal art and outsized photographic portraits of farm animals, a tribute to the surrounding dairy country. Resident dog Gumdrop also gives the place a homey feel (and, yes, you can bring your pooch).
Insider’s Tip: Treasure hunters book a room midweek so they can snag the best deals at the Brown Bag Boutique resale shop across the street (open Thursday through Saturday). - Advertisement -
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The building dates to the 1800s, but a roomy addition in the back, which includes handicapped accessible amenities, takes guests into the 21st century. The second floor is all suites with kitchenettes and spacious sitting areas. We especially like the Stissing Suite, which feels like a private apartment with its two bedrooms and elegant cocoa-brown lounge. A continental breakfast — juice, Danish, bagels, yogurt, and fresh fruit — is pleasingly set up on a wicker sideboard in the parlor every morning.
Eat: Just down the street at the Pine Plains Platter, breakfast and lunch is from 8 am-2 pm; nab huevos rancheros or a salmon BLT with dill mayo. Also in town, Stissing House offers French-inspired fare like house-made game paté, a charcuterie platter, and steak tartare with frites. In nearby Millerton is 52 Main, the tapas restaurant and bar with an extensive drinks menu.
Do: Just one mile east of the hamlet is the original Hammertown Barn, an 18th-century converted horse barn featuring two floors of home furnishings, both new and vintage, and an intriguing selection of cowhide, sheepskin, and floor cloths. In the summer, Stissing Lake is a great place to picnic, swim, or kayak. Explore the hiking trails of Thompson Pond, Stissing Mountain, and Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary. You can also hop on the 15-mile Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Millerton. And the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome cranks up its first air show in mid-June. Don’t forget: The Litchfield Hills and the Berkshires — with all their antiquing and cultural attractions — are just across state lines.
The Details
The Inn at Pine Plains
3036 Church St., Pine Plains
518-771-3117
Price range: Summer rates range from $190 to $325 per night.