Fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” now have a chance to experience the grandeur of an early 19th century mansion while working on their wellness at the newly opened The Ranch Hudson Valley. It’s the first East Coast outpost of the luxury wellness brand known for its fitness, nourishment, and restoration programs. “There aren’t a lot of ‘wow’ places within a 45-minute drive from Manhattan and this is one of them,” says general manager John Bottino of the 40,000-square-foot property, which was a gift from JP Morgan to his daughter when she married Alexander Hamilton’s great-grandson in 1902. “And 50 percent of our clientele come from the Northeast, so we have a really loyal following in this area.”
Guests of The Ranch, whose original location is in Malibu, California, can choose a stay of four or five days, which begin gently with Tibetan wind chimes at 5:30 a.m., followed by a morning stretch. After a healthy plant-based breakfast, which is prepared by local chef Michael Narciso (of Mia’s Kitchen in Suffern and The Valley Rock Inn in downtown Sloatsburg) and served in the property’s stunning sun-kissed dining room, guests are taken on a two- or four-hour hike at one of the nearby state parks. After lunch, there’s daily massages, yoga, strength training, core-focused fitness classes, downtime, and dinner (meals focus on detox and are sourced from local farms or the onsite organic garden) before an early bedtime. Services such as acupuncture, colonics, and energy therapy are also available. “It’s like camp for adults,” says Bottino.
But instead of rustic cabins with bunk beds, guests retire to one of 25 beautifully restored rooms—complete with en suite bathrooms—designed by Steven Gambrel, who is known for freshening historical spaces without compromising their original details. The ballroom, where the Morgans once held grand parties, is now home to the spa’s fitness center, and the living room—complete with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Ringwood State Park—is a breathtaking yet cozy common area where guests can sit by the fire and unwind.
The true stunner, however, is the property’s 5,000-square-foot solarium, which features year-round exercise facilities and a pool. In the summer, guests can swim in the outdoor pool and kayak or paddleboard on the property’s lake. While The Ranch is ideal for health-minded, corporate retreats, the intimate nature of the program and property—there are rarely more than 30 guests in a group, usually a mix of mothers/daughters, couples, and friends—invites connection. “On the first night of their stay, we go around the table and guests tell us what they’re grateful for and what brought them here. And we do this again on their last night,” explains Bottino. “We really try to build a sense of community.”
Rates at The Ranch start at $3,275/per person and $5,675/per person for four- and five-day retreats, respectively. For bookings and more info, visit theranchhudsonvalley.com.
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