Nestled on the edge of Poughkeepsie’s historic Vassar College campus, The Heartwood at Vassar is a recently opened boutique hotel that celebrates local artists, scholars, and farmers. The 50-room hotel offers a warm and inviting space for the Hudson Valley’s various vibrant communities to gather, along with Vassar families and alumni, local Poughkeepsie natives, and weekend travelers.
Along with the hotel, the property also houses The Salt Line Hudson Valley — a seasonally-inspired restaurant that highlights local farmers, makers, and purveyors — and Night Owls, which is an intimate bar that serves classic cocktails and bites. All in all, The Heartwood invites guests to enjoy its atmosphere of art, historic memorabilia, native flora and fauna, and other décor elements.
The property was designed with comfort in mind, offering a total of 50 guest rooms, various communal nooks, flexible event spaces, and top-tier dining. When it comes to interior design, The Heartwood excels with an art collection curated by Vassar’s on-campus art museum, The Loeb. An inviting lobby features floor-to-ceiling glass paneled windows that celebrate the scenic and sprawling views of the surrounding campus.
In the hotel’s communal spaces, the work of many local artists is on display, including a hand-painted mural featuring a visual guide to the horticulture of the Hudson Valley by visual artist Julia Whitney Barnes, while the lobby showcases an immersive art exhibit from conceptual artist Mark Dion that highlights historical memorabilia from the neighboring college.
As for accommodations, guests can choose between double queen, king, or suite-style rooms, and all bathrooms are equipped with stone and marble finishings, a rainfall shower, and a soaking tub. Additionally, The Heartwood offers two deluxe suites that are furnished with separate living, dining, and full-kitchen spaces.
Onsite, guests will find a 24-hour gym, the Vassar Institute — a new convening space for thought leaders and community members launching in October — and the opportunity to participate in Hotels for Trees, whereby if guests skip linen service, The Heartwood plants a tree. Nearby, many attractions excite, from live music venues to the Arlington Farmers’ Market.
As The Heartwood joins the Dutchess County community, it is committed to sustainability and green building practices. The property is designed with high levels of energy efficiency, including natural materials and native landscaping, geothermal heating and cooling, and a zero fossil fuel emissions program made possible through photo-voltaic solar panels and solar thermal heating panels.
The Heartwood is located at 165 College Avenue in Poughkeepsie.
Related: Poughkeepsie’s Vassar-Warner Home to Close After 153 Years
