For Nature Lovers
Piaule Catskill
Where in the HV?
Catskill
What’s Special About It?
If you want to get up close and personal with Mother Nature, Piaule is the place to do it. Options among the 24 rooms in this TV-free 50-acre enclave two hours north of Manhattan include single glass-walled cabins with and without decks (sleeps two) and double cabins with a living room (sleeps five). All rooms offer a front-row seat to the everchanging landscape, along with king-size beds, in-room coffee, and locally crafted Piaule branded bath products. The on-site spa, strictly limited to overnight guests, boasts both a hot pool and a mineral plunge, sauna, steam room, and a well-rounded roster of massage, yoga, and exercise options. Just up the hill, windows flood the onsite restaurant with natural light, perfect for savoring foods from local farms and purveyors. One thing to keep in mind: Given the noticeably serene atmosphere and complete lack of programming for children, Piaule discourages bringing those under 18.
Find Out More
piaule.com or @piaule
For American History Buffs
Bird & Bottle Inn
Where in the HV?
Garrison
What’s Special About It?
Built in 1761, this Dutch Colonial-style home was built on ancestral lands of the Munsee Lenape. Known for years as Warren’s Tavern, the property was a key stagecoach stop along the Old Albany Post Road and once housed George Washington’s Continental troops. In the 1830s the Bird served as a farm, sawmill, and gristmill. African American culinary doyenne Lena Richard took the helm as executive chef in 1940, bringing her unique Louisiana Creole flavors to the New York set. Her kitchen successor was none other than James Beard. Today, following a thorough, thoughtful restoration in April 2022, the Inn offers five super comfortable guest rooms with all the modern amenities, along with a market-driven restaurant open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Weekends are all about sleeping in, then enjoying a delicious meal before taking on the day—you can’t go wrong with the Brunchy Bucatini Carbonara, veggie-packed frittata, Brioche French toast, or shirred eggs.
Find Out More
thebirdandbottleinn.com or @birdbottleinn
Related: Garrison’s Historic Bird & Bottle Inn Reawakens in Putnam County
For Over-the-Top Luxury
James Newbury Hotel
Where in the HV?
Coxsackie
What’s Special About It?
Back in the 19th century, this site had pride of place as a shipping port and iron foundry. In 2024, the industrial heritage and vibe live on at this high-end hotel, in a thoroughly modern way. All of the rooms feature luxe linens and other amenities throughout, but the ultimate indulgence is a 450-square-foot river view hideaway with an irresistible king bed and spa-style bath with a soaker tub. With three distinctly different dining options onsite, pretty much any food wish can be granted, including brunch, a casual café meal, or a seafood-focused feast at the rooftop Day Line Oyster Bar & Kitchen, positioned perfectly for sweeping Hudson River views. Meanwhile, a full array of Spa & Wellness experiences—think facials, massages, and yoga and Pilates classes—await in the fully renovated Coxsackie Town Electric building right next door, directly accessible via a second-story walkway.
Find Out More
jamesnewburyhotel.com or @vocojamesnewbury
Related: The James Newbury Hotel Is an Idyllic Riverside Resort in Coxsackie
For People in Love
The Maker
Where in the HV?
Hudson
What’s Special About It?
When you and your SO just want to leave the world behind, a trip to The Maker is in order. Composed of 11 rooms across three historic Warren Street buildings, the aesthetic represents an elegant mishmash of Art Deco, La Belle Epoque, Mid-Century, and Industrial Design elements. Deep jewel tones, soft lighting, and one-of-a-kind travel mementos inspire the full exhale necessary to make the most of adult time here. (Fun fact: Over 70 percent of the property’s décor is vintage.) Turns out owners Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg came upon hospitality via a somewhat circuitous route, first founding global beauty brand Fresh. Their partnership with hotelier Damien Janowicz resulted in the property that then inspired a unique fragrance brand. For the most immersive experience, be sure to partake in the Fragrance Cocktail Menu in The Maker Lounge and visit The Fragrance Library to sniff to your heart’s content.
Find Out More
themaker.com or @themakerhotel
Related: The Maker Hotel Has a New Chef and a New Menu in Hudson
For a Gang’s-All-Here House Rental
Union + Post
Where in the HV?
Windham
What’s Special About It?
Situated in prime Catskills territory less than three hours from Manhattan, Windham is nothing if not a delightful, dependable year-round getaway. At Union + Post, you’ll find a great mix of double, queen, and king rooms to comfortably hold 2 or 4 people, with smart TVs, Sonos speakers, and other nice touches. Plus, dogs are most welcome. Better still, as of August, there’s the option to rent a stunning five-bedroom house at the top of a hill right on the property. (Hint: The included outdoor space would be perfect for a party no one will forget.) As for fine dining, feel free to leave the car where it is—the in-house restaurant specializes in local farm-inspired New American fare, served in a welcoming space with two fireplaces and wrap-around windows. For a more casual hang, check out the second-floor library or the outdoor deck with gorgeous views of the town.
Find Out More
unionandpost.com or @unionandpost
For Farm-to-Table Foodies
Central House Inn
Where in the HV?
Germantown
What’s Special About It?
The massive reno that relaunched this can’t-miss boutique hotel last year was the brainchild of two sisters originally born and raised right here in the HV. Though initially drawn to big lives in big cities—New York and San Francisco, to be exact—Julia Carr and Leslie Carr-Avalos couldn’t resist the chance to return to their roots and completely reimagine a historic landmark originally owned and operated by the Rockefeller family in the early 1900s. The Universal Café & Bar, conveniently located within the hotel, offers an eclectic menu that leans heavily on seasonal ingredients from environmentally sustainable farms and ranches, and local distilleries, breweries, and cider mills. Note that dining is walk-in only; reservations are accepted for parties of six or more. Pro tip: This is a next-level venue for a dream wedding (50-person seating or 100 for buffet service).
Find Out More
centralhouseny.com or @centralhousegermantown and @universalcafe_ny
For Waterfront Fans
Kingston Carriage House
Where in the HV?
Kingston
What’s Special About It?
Staying at the Kingston Carriage House is a pretty unbeatable way to experience all that is the Rondout—a mix of art, antiques, food, and culture, with a unique neighborhood feel. This gem, an affiliate of the nearby Woodstock Way Hotel, features distinctively modernized suites that manage to feel both yesteryear and current. The first-floor pet-friendly Parlor Suite is especially noteworthy because—in addition to a clawfoot soaker tub, cozy library room with a fireplace, and a large, light-filled living area with a queen sleeper—it comes with the chance to book the Chef’s Kitchen and private access to the communal garden lounge, providing a truly special space for a dinner party or small gathering. Combine with the Garden Suite to take over the entire first floor for a larger group and still have plenty of space to spread out. (Chef’s Kitchen is set to debut in fall 2024; check online for updates.)
Find Out More
woodstockway.com or @woodstockwayhotel
For Non-Stop Action
Hemlock Neversink
Where in the HV?
Neversink
What’s Special About It?
If relaxing is the name of your getaway game, that’s a tough sell at Hemlock Neversink—in the best possible way. Plush rooms provide the perfect springboard for dozens of activities happening all over the 230-acre Catskills campus, literally held morning, noon, and night. Goat Therapy is very much a thing here, including a stroll through the Goat Fields and time for hugging the peaceful creatures from nearby Frederick Farm Goat Sanctuary. Walk the gardens with an expert on local flora, try your hand at a Shamanic Drumming Circle, make a custom candle, design a terrarium, settle in under the stars with color commentary from an astronomy guide—you get the gist. When it comes to activity options, the sky’s the limit. Classes and workshops change frequently so check the website to see what’s on offer at any given time. All activities are complimentary for hotel guests. Non-guests may join for a fee.
Find Out More
hemlockneversink.com or @hemlockneversink
For Family and Friends Who Are Family
Griffin House
Where in the HV?
Palenville
What’s Special About It?
Though there’s natural beauty pretty much everywhere you look in the Hudson Valley, Griffin House has a special claim to fame. The century-old brick tavern holds court in the historic hamlet where legendary artist Thomas Cole and his 19th century Hudson River School of landscape painters convened to capture the iconic Catskill mountains and the highest waterfall in New York State. Fast forward to now and the lodge offers tasteful en suite guest rooms stocked with crisp linens and Pendleton blankets, with 24-hour access to the Night Kitchen and Billiards Lounge. A communal fire pit is the perfect place to wind down on a chilly fall night. For more room to spread out, consider booking Woodward’s or Sarah’s Cottages in the heart of Palenville. Both have full kitchens and comfortable dining and sitting areas, making it easy for families to replicate more of a home-away-from-home experience versus a traditional hotel room.
Find Out More
griffinhousepalenville.com or @griffinhousepalenville
For a Body/Brain Reboot
The Ranch Hudson Valley
Where in the HV?
Sloatsburg
What’s Special About It?
“We believe that health is the ultimate luxury,” reads The Ranch mission. That spirit infuses every aspect of the guest experience at The Ranch Hudson Valley, a wellness retreat on a private lakefront estate less than an hour from New York City. Four- and five-day stays at this East Coast outpost of a Malibu legend include literally everything you need for a total physical and mental reset. The program is highly structured to make the most of the time, starting with a morning stretch and choice of a daily two- or four-hour hike on nearby trails. Afternoons entail strength training, restorative yoga, and massages. The new 5000-square-foot solarium features a heated indoor pool for year-round use and a hot and cold contrast plunge. Pro chefs fuel and impress guests with nutrient-dense, plant-based meals throughout. To preserve the singular focus on personal wellness, Ranch management respectfully requests that digital devices be used in-room only.
Find Out More
theranchlife.com or @theranch.life
Related: What to Do in Mahopac: A 24-Hour Guide to the Putnam County Town
