340 Wurtemburg Rd, Rhinebeck
845.871.1745; www.rhinebeckinn.com
A few miles outside the heart of Rhinebeck lays the Olde Rhinebeck Inn. The carefully restored, early American colonial-style farmhouse, built in the 1700s, is perfect for a weekend country getaway. The Inn is welcoming and cozy, decorated with quilts, odd knickknacks, and antique furnishings. While not particularly large, the rooms are incredibly spacious, charming, and supremely comfortable with updated modern amenities.
Best friends Jonna Paolella and Cindy Curnan run the Inn. Paolella had dreamed of being an innkeeper since the age of 7, and purchased the property when she was just 27, making her the youngest innkeeper in America. At the time, Curnan lived up the road and her grandparents had grown up in this very farmhouse. When the two met, it was an instant connection. The duo now co-operate the Inn and are truly invested in making each guest’s experience memorable: Expect a handwritten card and a small plate of assorted sweets on the bedside table, and refreshing beverages upon arrival.
Leave the kids at home — this inn predominantly caters to couples, and the bucolic landscape and peaceful surrounds make it the perfect escape. With just four rooms, availability is limited, so make sure to book in advance.
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The Breakfast
Breakfast is served family-style and the large wooden table, designed to accommodate a full house of guests, makes for a pleasurable communal dining experience. Fresh and local ingredients are of utmost importance to Paolella and Curnan. The coffee is organic and roasted in the Hudson Valley, they grow herbs and vegetables, raise chickens that provide fresh eggs, and compost all kitchen waste. The food is excellent and if you’re lucky, the baked French pear pancake — a house specialty — might be on the menu.
Rates: Summer weekend rates start at $295/night
What to Do Nearby
Historic homes are abundant in Rhinebeck. Take a tour of the Wilderstein Historic Site and soak up the stunning grounds and views of the Hudson River. The home’s last resident, Margaret (Daisy) Suckley, was a cousin of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and gifted him his famous black Scottish terrier Fala. Want to learn more about FDR? Just 10 miles south is the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, in Hyde Park. (330 Morton Rd, Rhinebeck; 845.876.4818)
If you want to spend more time outdoors, Ferncliff Forest Game Refuge and Forest Preserve is a 200-acre forest and one of the oldest growth forests in the Hudson Valley. Hike four miles of trails and climb the tower for amazing views. (68 Mount Rutsen Rd, Rhinebeck; 845.876.1559)
