For Foodies: Hillsdale
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It’s hard to say which you’ll fall in love with first: the leafy setting of Little Cat Lodge, nestled at the base of Catamount Mountain in Hillsdale, or the boutique hotel’s plush interiors. In a nod toward its former life as the beloved Swiss Hutte bed and breakfast, the revamped property—which enjoyed a buzzy launch in 2022—teems with alpine-chic charm. Little Cat’s 14 guest rooms are especially alluring, thanks to reclaimed mushroom-wood paneling, cozy gingham textiles, concrete-topped vanities, and furniture crafted from local maple. Bonus points for the barrel saunas you’ll find hidden among the property’s many trees, should you decide to roam the 7-acre grounds.
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Raise your glasses to a weekend of togetherness (and excellent food and drink) at Roe Jan Brewing Company, which set up shop in Hillsdale back in 2020. Helmed by seasoned head brewer Hayley Shine, the burgeoning watering hole and restaurant serves up all manner of celebration-worthy suds, from hazy IPAs and berry-powered sours to brown ales and porters.
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Come suppertime, make your way back to Little Cat Lodge for a locally sourced meal for two at the hotel’s onsite restaurant. Along with the hotel itself, the popular eatery is owned by James Beard-nominated chef Noah Bernamoff and his business partner Matt Kliegman (a.k.a the duo behind New York City’s Black Seed Bagels and Pebble Bar). Snag a table in the tap room or main dining area and prepare to tuck into innovative dishes like spicy tuna crispy rice or roasted cauliflower bucatini, plated with green olives and chili.
For Adventurers: Gardiner
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Bloom-dotted meadows form the backdrop for a weekend away at the aptly named Wildflower Farms, a luxe resort set on 140 pastoral acres in Gardiner. Opened in 2022, the sprawling property offers an array of lodging options—all thoughtfully designed to keep nature front and center, whether you’re kicking back indoors or out. Pleasantly private cabins and cottages stun with floor-to-ceiling windows and roomy patios, both showcasing views of the Shawangunk Ridge. The resort’s equally well-appointed suites boast tempting outdoor showers, plus mood-setting gas fireplaces you’ll no doubt be curling up in front of at the end of the night.
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While some couples prefer to spend their vacations poolside, lounging blissfully with cool drinks in hand, others favor action-packed days bursting with new experiences. Although Wildflower Farms can certainly accommodate the former (hello, indoor saltwater pool!), the resort’s unique ability to cater to those with more intrepid spirits is where the venue truly shines. Guests here have access to all manner of curated excursions and activities, from mountain biking and guided rock climbing for true thrill seekers to expert-led classes on focaccia-making and botanical mixology for epicurean adventurers.
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After an eventful day at the resort—complete with pickleball lessons, fly fishing, local honey tastings, or whatever else strikes your collective fancy—you and your partner will surely have worked up an appetite. Stay onsite for a meal at Clay, which whips up New American fare using ingredients grown at the resort’s farm, or drive into town to dine at the well-loved Disgruntled Chef. A local go-to for standout breakfast and lunch grub, the recently renovated restaurant began offering sit-down dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays last fall. Stop by for small plates such as pork-belly sliders or dig into larger (and decidedly outside-the-box) mains like the luscious cavatelli pasta with local oyster mushrooms, walnut pesto, arugula, and duck egg.
For Skiers: Tannersville
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When it comes to hitting the slopes with your favorite powder hound, nothing beats the convenience of reserving ski-in, ski-out digs. Still, what Hotel Lilien lacks in direct access to Hunter Mountain—which towers tall at 3,200 feet just 2.8 miles down the road—the Tannersville standout more than makes up for with style. Built in the late 1800s as a vacation home for a Manhattan family, the residence-turned-boutique hotel boasts 18 minimalist, yet cozy, guest rooms outfitted with a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings (think: Marcel Breuer lounge chairs and Brooklinen sheets). Character-filled common spaces like the library, home to some of the building’s original woodwork and stained-glass windows, are just as inviting.
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Some studies show that couples who exercise together feel happier in their relationships. (Sorry, couch potatoes; we don’t make the rules.) Bundle up in matching gear and test the theory yourselves at Hunter Mountain, which opens for its 65th season later this month. You’ll find 67 trails spread across 320 skiable acres, plus a couple of brand-new lifts to shorten wait times for your next run. Need a break from the snow? Ditch the goggles and get in your steps with a stroll down Main Street, where you’ll discover souvenir-friendly gift shops and home-goods stores like Tannersville Antique & Artisan Center and Rustic Mountain.
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You could post up at Hotel Lilien’s cocktail bar and lounge, which offers an array of small plates like smoked brisket tacos, but you’ll also find plenty of options for casual meals in Tannersville. At Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Cafe, funky wall decor sets the scene for savory bites like chicken pot pie and pulled pork sandwiches. For a more romantic vibe, consider making the 10-mile drive north to the softly lit Matilda, nestled inside the newly opened Henson hotel in Hensonville. Spearheaded by chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra, whose NYC restaurant Contra achieved Michelin-star status, the moody fine-dining spot impresses with dishes like mushroom raviolo and smoked steelhead trout with nori puree.
For Spa-Goers: Saugerties
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Treat your partner—and yourself—to a little TLC at Diamond Mills Resort, where pampering is always the order of the day. Abutting the Esopus Creek dam in Saugerties, the lavish hideaway spoils guests from the get-go with calming views of the waterfall from each of its 30 rooms—all equipped with private balconies. Inside, amenities are just as indulgent. European-inspired furnishings lend an air of elegance to sleeping quarters, while radiant-heat flooring in the bathrooms (which also sport walk-in showers and/or soaking tubs) offers the ultimate luxury.
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Feeling relaxed yet? Keep it up with some well-deserved coddling at Diamond Mills’ new spa and wellness center, which opened its doors earlier this year. Dubbed the Waterside Spa, the welcoming space can accommodate you and your S.O. for soothing couples’ massages, bespoke facials, and rejuvenating mud wraps, among many other specialty treatments. The well-rounded facility also provides yoga and Pilates classes, plus plunge pools set at a range of temperatures. Once you’ve had your fill of spa time, take advantage of Diamond Mills’ prime location with a jaunt downtown. The resort sits within walking distance of Saugerties’ many shops and attractions, including the 116-year-old Orpheum Theatre—a date-worthy destination for catching classic indie films.
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The Waterside Spa isn’t the only newcomer to Diamond Mills. The resort, which underwent renovations in 2023, also showcases a new farm-to-table restaurant called BLACKBARN—owned by James Beard Award-winning chef John Doherty, who runs a restaurant by the same name in New York City. Considered the sister site to the Big Apple original and led by executive chef Marcos Castro, the eatery sources ingredients from a laundry list of area purveyors to craft dishes like pan-seared diver scallops and chicken Milanese with local burrata. The best part? BLACKBARN offers room service, so you and your sweet can dine in total privacy.
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