There’s never a bad time to escape to the Catskills.
By this logic, there’s also never a bad time to escape to The Shandaken Inn, the charming bed and breakfast in the heart of the Hudson Valley’s mountainous terrain. The retreat is one of those places that you never want to leave, thanks to a winning combination of welcoming staff, highly cozy rooms, and delectable food that will have you dreaming about it long after the trip back home.
Unsurprisingly, The Shandaken Inn has a fair bit of history in the Hudson Valley, with an inception date that stretches back to the late 1920s, when it was originally conceived as the clubhouse for the Rip Van Winkle Golf Course. In 2019, the current iteration of the Inn debuted to the public under the leadership of Jay Jacobs, whose background includes serving as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee and operating as CEO and major owner of the TLC Family of Camps & Inns, founder of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education), and chairman of Project Heal the Children.
Nowadays, it charms locals and visitors alike with its picturesque grounds and top-notch dining.
What to Expect at The Shandaken Inn
With 15 guest rooms and three two-bedroom cottages to its name, The Shandaken Inn is an intimate retreat in the Catskills. It’s the sort of place that’s just as ideal a homebase during skiing and snowboarding season in the Hudson Valley as it is in the heart of summer when golfing and sunshine-fueled fun lead the way. No matter the time of year, stays here are a treat, with thoughtful touches throughout the property designed to make guests feel as if they’re truly in a home away from home.
Within the guest rooms – which boast thematic names like “Catskill,” “Shandaken,” and “Summit” – visitors can expect indulgences galore. Frette linens, towels, and bathrobes invite relaxation from the start, while elegant design details like oak floors, some of which are original to the building, and Portico tiles set the scene for an elegant stay. Malin + Goetz bath amenities feel extra-special, and décor from brands like La Lune and Old Hickory Furniture adds to the modern-meets-rustic design.
Plus, several rooms feature fireplaces (pro tip: get one if you can), along with sleeping sofas and sitting areas. In other words, you may never want to leave your room.
For larger parties, the bed and breakfast recently unveiled its new guest cottages experience on January 1 of this year. The three standalone cottages are in walking distance to the main property and are ideal for groups of friends and family who want to feel like they’re in a private retreat but still want to tap into all the delights the Inn has to offer. In addition to the amenities available in the guest rooms, the cottages boast over 1,300 square feet, with multiple bedrooms, fully equipped kitchenettes, and in-unit washers and dryers to boot.
The Grounds and Surrounding Area
When you do finally leave the comfort of your room, an abundance of attractions awaits both onsite and in the vicinity. In winter, the 24-hour fitness room keeps exercise aficionados happy while the entry lounge is stocked with games aplenty for couples and families. Once the warmer months arrive, the tennis courts and outdoor pool are the perfect places to spend sunny afternoons.
And that’s just on the grounds. For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, Belleayre Mountain is only an 11-minute drive away, while Hunter and Windham Mountains are 26- and 31-minute drives, respectively. For day trippers, Phoenicia is a short jaunt down the road, with Hunter, Tannersville, and Windham nearby as well. Hiking trails are abundant in the region, so be sure to pick a trek and pack your hiking gear if you plan to head out on an outdoor adventure.
Dining at The Clubhouse
Just as The Shandaken Inn places a strong emphasis on the quality of stays, so too does it make top-tier dining a priority at The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, its onsite restaurant. Open to hotel guests and locals, The Clubhouse is led by Executive Chef Bryon Lopez, who crafts highly seasonal menus that tap into the bounty of local farms and purveyors. Prior to joining The Clubhouse, Lopez got his start in California working in kitchens such as Tom Colicchio’s Craft LA before stepping up as chef de cuisine at The Ritz Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.
At The Clubhouse, which is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and lunch on Saturday, diners can expect to dig into bites that tap into Catskills history and Hudson Valley flavors. Dishes like Swiss raclette with roasted cauliflower and pickled mustard seed tempt the palate, while larger plates like squash and ricotta dumplings with ginger gold apples and celery root delight the taste buds. Dessert is an equally sumptuous affair, with treats like roasted apple bread pudding and cheesecake with kiwi and candied sunflower seeds to end the evening. A word of advice: if the chocolate mousse cake with frangipane almond and toasted almonds is on the menu, don’t hesitate to order it.
Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention The Clubhouse breakfast, which is arguably the most covetable amenity during a stay at The Shandaken Inn. A complimentary perk for hotel guests, breakfast is also now available to the community from Fridays to Sundays during the weekend. It’s a treat to experience, and the absolute best way to start the day for hotel guests, who can order a breakfast plate with a side, house-made pastries, and coffee, tea, and juice as part of their stay.
As for what to order, it’s hard to know where to begin (so staying for multiple days is recommended to sample a wider variety from the menu). Fans of savory dishes will want to go for the egg white frittata with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula or the Catskills omelet with smoked trout, Swiss cheese, and dill. Those who prefer sweeter starts to their morning can make a beeline for the Clubhouse buttermilk pancakes, which are elevated with berry compote and local maple syrup, or the steel cut oats with apple, cider spices, almond butter, and currants.
Dinner Specials
While the everyday menus are delightful on their own, they’re just the start of the dining excitement at The Clubhouse. Recently, the restaurant launched two very special dinner concepts and collabs that locals won’t want to pass up.
The first is dubbed the “Take a Chance” dinner series, and it’s a concept that Jacobs drew from T. Gross’s book, Positively Outrageous Service. One to two times a month, the restaurant will surprise diners with a complimentary supper when they receive the bill at the end of their meal. The only requirement for eligibility is that diners must make a dinner reservation in advance for either Thursday or Sunday service. The “Take a Chance” program is ongoing, which means diners have an excellent reason to book reservations soon.
In addition, The Clubhouse debuted a special partnership with Via Carota Craft Cocktails. Titled “Cocktails in the Catskills: Via Carota Craft Cocktails x Shandaken Inn Dinner Soirée,” the program spotlights the new Via Carota Craft Cocktails with a five-course tasting menu from The Clubhouse. The first of these events will take place on February 25, with limited tickets running $185/person. Future dates are yet to be announced.
The Future
The Shandaken Inn has been busy in 2024, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With the two new dining programs underway, the bed and breakfast is also working on a new wine cellar and scenic outdoor deck, the latter which is anticipated to open later this year. With these debuts, diners can expect exciting new wine and cocktail offerings to accompany the curated dining and experiential programming at the venue.
The Shandaken Inn
1 Golf Course Rd, Shandaken
Related: Glen Falls House Dishes up a Special Dinner Series in the Catskills
