Inness | Photo by Adrian Gaut
These new and soon-to-be-open Hudson Valley getaways are perfect for those who want to be one with nature. If your idea of heaven is staying in a luxe cabin or Adirondack-style lodge with gorgeous scenery, an upscale spa, and plenty of outdoor activities, we suggest you book right now.
Inness
Town: Accord
Opened: July 2021
The rustic grounds of this 225-acre, all-inclusive retreat is the ideal inspiration for landscape art, so it’s no wonder it was named for Hudson River School pioneer George Inness. The hotel is comprised of 28 sleek, black cabins (a beautiful contrast to the scenery in every season) and a colonial farmhouse with 12 guest rooms plus a communal bar, game room, library room, and grand fireplace. No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy magnificent mountain views—Accord is flanked by the Shawangunk Ridge and Big Indian Wilderness. Enjoy a fun-filled day of outdoor activities or take it easy with yoga and massage at the spa (debuting early this year). The roomy cabins are truly private escapes (accessible only by foot) and feature a kitchenette and a deck. There’s also a 3-acre organic farm on the property where guests can purchase items (and locals can participate in the CSA). The onsite farm-to-table restaurant serves fresh produce of course; you can also sign up for cooking classes. Come spring, guests can take advantage of the impressive 9-hole golf course designed by the esteemed King-Collins Golf (behind the famed Sweetens Cove in Tennessee).
What inspired Inness?
It’s named after prominent American landscape painter George Inness. A central theme of the retreat is the combination of cultivation and the wild. The property is anchored by a series of social hubs, designed to be “comfortable in aesthetic and communal in function”—but also boasts ample space for exploration.
Who designed it?
A talented group: Restaurateur and trained architect Taavo Somer; the Post Company, a hospitality-based design studio in Brooklyn; and developers Michael Barry, CBSK Ironstate, and Lee Pollock.
What makes it special?
On 225 acres, this retreat has almost everything you’d want in an ideal stay. There’s a restaurant and lounge, a 9-hole golf course, a sports outfitter, swimming pools, tennis courts, hiking trails, an events barn, a farm shop, and an organic farm that encourages guests to get digging.
Piaule
Town: Catskill
Opened: August 2021
If wilderness and minimalist design had a baby, you’d find it in Catskill. Piaule coins itself as a “landscape hotel,” with 24 luxurious wooden cabins featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, curated furniture, and vast views of the surrounding mountain range. It’s quiet, welcoming and comfortable—from the warm wood interiors to the heated bathroom floors. To start your day or unwind in the evening, head to the spa—thoughtfully outfitted with a cedar-lined sauna, a bluestone steam room, yoga studios, and both a hot pool and exhilarating mineral cold plunge pool. Although Piaule is only about a 15-minute drive from downtown Catskill and Saugerties, you’ll feel fully submerged in the Northern Catskills scenery, plus between your dreamy accommodations and plenty of nature to explore, you may never want to leave.
What inspired Piaule?
The landscape hotel focuses on the philosophy and values that immerse one with nature.
Who designed it?
The interior design was done by Piaule. With an emphasis on connecting to the landscape, the palette is restrained yet warm, with an emphasis on natural and local materials.
What makes it special?
The Hudson Valley has a wealth of natural wonders that aren’t found anywhere else. Piaule’s base—especially the main house—in the Catskills is a perfect location to see and appreciate the sights. The hotel offers a unique combination of architecture, design, and landscapes that are difficult to find anywhere else.
Chatwal Lodge
Town: Bethel
Opening: April 2022
We can’t wait for this incredibly chic Adirondack-style hotel to welcome guests. The 10-suite retreat is situated along the banks of the bucolic Toronto Reservoir and tucked amid 30 acres of gorgeous, protected land within The Chapin Estate (a private residential community). The upscale suites feature reclaimed-wood walls, stone fireplaces, and hand-carved headboards. Several offer lakeside decks, outdoor showers, and deep soaking tubs. For a truly unique experience, book the 1,000-sq-ft treehouse suite (views from the deck are breathtaking) or the 850-sq-ft glamping tent with a king-size bed, ensuite bath and wraparound veranda. The main lodge boasts a large library, a grand fireplace, and farm-to-table dining (a restaurant, heated dining terrace, and private dining room), along with a wine cellar and bar. The Chatwal promises organic and local menus, with meat and cheese from nearby farms and trout from an on-property stream. For long days of fun, guests can fly fish, horseback ride, canoe, kayak, and more. Ayurvedic wellness treatments are available at the spa. Bonus: Guests receive priority access to concerts and exhibits at the famed Bethel Center of Performing Arts.
What inspired The Chatwal?
Nineteenth-century Adirondack-style played a big part in the lodge’s look and feel—great camp-style homes where luxury meets nature.
Who designed it?
Architect and designer Steve Dubrovsky, who also created homes at The Chapin Estate. His passion for the outdoors stems from his time as a four-time circuit champion of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. Chatwal also worked with local artisans and craftsmen to establish an authentic Adirondack design.
What makes it special?
It’s nestled in the historic Chapin Estates and is in close proximity to the original Woodstock Music Festival. On the preserve there’s a fresh trout stream and plenty of outdoor activities, cozy fireplaces in every room, wellness offerings, and farm-forward dishes at the restaurant.
Wildflower Farms
Town: Gardiner
Opening: Autumn 2022
After working from home for way too long, we bet you’ll want to get outside. Disconnect from WiFi and connect to the aptly named Wildflower Farms, where you’ll be immersed in the native blooms and woodlands of the Hudson Valley. This resort is all about scents, scenery, and sublime housing: its 65 free-standing cabins—with private decks and fire pits—are surrounded by 140 acres of wild bergamot and mountain mint, towering white pine trees, a winding river, and willow groves—all with panoramic views of the Shawangunk Ridge. This is an Auberge Resort, so it will offer the luxury you’d expect (a 9,000-sq-ft spa complete with outdoor hot tubs, an indoor saltwater pool, and multiple treatment rooms)—plus plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors: a pavilion-style open-air gym, quick access to hiking, biking, and climbing at the nearby Mohonk Preserve, and even foraging. Guests will have the opportunity to hunt for herbs, mushrooms, flowers, and produce, and sign up for classes in veggie farming and cooking. The restaurant will, naturally, serve pasture-raised meats and heritage fruits and vegetables sourced from the surrounding farmland.
What inspired Wildflower Farms?
The rolling fields of wildflowers throughout the property, which symbolize a meaningful connection to the land on which the hotel sits.
Who designed it?
Interior design firm Ward and Gray. The design is modern yet natural, with a warm color palette, wood-clad ceilings and floors, plenty of cozy textiles, private patios, and fire pits.
What makes it special?
We encourage guests’ journeys that are rooted in evergreen and seasonal activities, such as thrilling outdoor adventures and grounding, wild-crafted wellness opportunities.
News from an old favorite
Though it’s far from the new kid on the block (by at least 150 years!), Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian lakeside chalet nestled at the base of both the Northern Catskills and Shawangunk Ridge, has several specials worth noting starting this month:
Scottish Weekend.
If you’re a fan of Outlander, book the weekend of January 28-30 when the resort will go all-out Scottish with workshops and demonstrations of Celtic art, bagpipe playing, kilt making, country dancing, and, of course, whiskey tastings.
Mindfulness in Minutes.
Get ready to exhale away your stress. Hosted by acclaimed Director of Programming Nina Smiley, Ph.D., this workshop will teach take-home meditation techniques guaranteed to enhance overall wellness. February 4-6.
Couples’ Romantic Getaway.
Mohonk is inherently romantic but next month they will crank it up a notch. In addition to exploring blissful winterscapes, couples can learn the art of love letter writing, take massage lessons, and enjoy beer and chocolate tastings. February 11-13.
Inclusive Pricing.
Starting March 28, Mohonk will become an inclusive resort. Perks will include three daily meals and afternoon tea at the Historic Lake Lounge, plus seasonal activities such as ice-skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, tennis archery, mountain biking, and guided hikes. For more information, visit mohonk.com/whats-included.
Related: Inness Is the Hudson Valley’s New Must-Play Golf Course
