The Maker’s Conservatory / Photo by Francine Zaslow
All it takes is a car ride to escape to these luxurious upstate destinations filled with elegant aesthetics and the amenities to match.
The Villa at Saugerties
Saugerties
Starting rate from $465/night; 3-night minimum
For those seeking the serenity and solitude of a quiet Spanish villa without the headache and hassle of international travel, The Catskills-adjacent Saugerties lays claim to a revelatory retreat. Opened over New Year’s 2016, The Villa at Saugerties offers just that: a modern, Mediterranean-style, four-suite villa set on verdant, manicured lawns in one of the Hudson Valley’s most active — and drivable — tourist regions.
Co-owner and former interior designer Amanda Zaslow has handpicked a mix of antique and contemporary decor that exudes a sleepy yet timeless quality. Quatrefoil windows and hand-hewn wooden beams lend an air of old-world tradition, while rainfall showers and spa-like soaking tubs surrounded by Moroccan tile breathe in chic and understated sophistication while remaining accessible and unpretentious.
Husband and co-owner Joe Mosley, previously employed by The Food Network, brings a complementary sensibility to the Villa’s rich breakfasts (and optional Saturday dinners), routinely held around the gleaming, white communal dining table or outside on the fairy-tale garden patio. Guests can expect primarily seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, from breads and meats to fresh-picked market fruits and vegetables, meticulously crafted into fine, upscale dishes whose spice palates and execution reflect the same nods to traditional Mediterranean and rustic presentation as the decor.
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Guests come and go as they please, exploring nearby towns for some adventure or sunning on their private patios or balconies before a soothing meditation session surrounded by blooming lilacs, or a refreshing dip in the pool. The Villa is plush, relaxed, and elegant — and just a couple hours’ drive away.
— By Dave Zucker
Hasbrouck House
Stone Ridge
Starting rate from $290/night
Nestled near the Catskill Mountains, less than two hours from White Plains, is Hasbrouck House, an idyllic weekend escape that is equal parts upscale and laid-back. The boutique hotel in Stone Ridge was designed by a Brooklyn-based firm whose mission was to uphold the history of the 18th-century Dutch Colonial stone mansion while offering modern amenities. The cozy getaway features charming decor, coupled with a relaxed ambience. It’s no wonder it was named The Americas’ Most Romantic Retreat by World Boutique Hotel Awards.
Twenty-five bedrooms are spread across four buildings. The spacious rooms are adorned with luxe velvet chairs, furry decorative pillows, and ornate Persian rugs covering wood floors. Huge window seats allow for reading nooks. Bathrooms offer oversized showers or freestanding tubs, subway tile, and regal brass mirrors.
For R&R, schedule a massage; the on-site wellness center is located in a COVID-friendly room. Sit in a rocking chair with a cup of tea, and bask in the property’s privacy; sway worry-free in a nearby hammock; a wall of greenery shields you from the nearby main road. For a more active stay, wade in the classic 100-year-old pool, schedule outdoor yoga classes, or trek through the property’s 50 picturesque acres.
The farm-to-table restaurant on the premises, Butterfield, sources seasonal and quality ingredients for elegantly plated meals and offers indoor/outdoor seating. The bluestone patio is the idyllic setting for a sumptuous meal. For more casual fare, Butcher & Bar offers burgers and salads. The Cauldron Bar, an après-ski-inspired outdoor winter lounge, opens in October. If you’re craving that cozy feel before the temps drop, snag the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate provided in your room, and have a campfire out front with some s’mores.
— By Gina Valentino
The Maker
Hudson
Starting rate from $475/night; the hotel requests 2-nightstays on weekdays and 3-night stays on weekends.
Hudson has transformed over the past decade. The same laid-back country charm that drew city dwellers seeking weekend escapes also lured chefs, hoteliers, artisans, and designers, who opened farm-driven restaurants, hipster-chic boutique hotels, and independent shops that any Manhattan neighborhood would be proud to call its own (though with much higher rents).
So, when Fresh beauty brand founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, along with hospitality veteran Damien Janowicz, were deciding where to open their design-forward concept hotel, it seemed only fitting that they, too, would be charmed by the city’s creative energy. Together, they transformed three historic buildings into The Maker, an 11-room jewel box dripping with bohemian opulence.
Nearly 70% of the decor has been restored by artisans and craftspeople, from the antique fireplaces to the wrought-iron gates that separate the custom sleigh bed and claw-foot tub in the Instagram-favorite Gardener suite. Hidden gems lurk in every corner: an ornate Moroccan lamp in the dining room; an antique ship’s manifest as the guestbook; a fragrance library; cushions hand-sewn by a pillow artisan (who knew such a profession even existed?).
If you can tear yourself away from the Architect suite’s Roman soaking tub or the wall-to-wall daybed in the Terrace Loft, there’s plenty to explore. Three dining spaces include the fine-dining restaurant, housed in a glass conservatory; the more casual café; and the Gatsbyesque cocktail lounge. Even the hotel gym is exceptional, blending modern workout equipment with a vintage pommel horse and punching bag.
The old adage says you can’t take it with you, but you can at The Maker. Its shop sells decor, glassware, and more — including the most-incredible-sleep-of-your-life cloud bedding — to re-create the experience in your own home.
— By Samantha Garbarini
Urban Cowboy Lodge
Big Indian
Starting rate from $199/night; 2-night minimum
“Hey. You’re in the mountains now. This is your chance to disconnect…,” so says the message on your screen when you attempt to log in to the Wi-Fi at the Big Indian location of Lyon Porter’s ultra-cool Urban Cowboy brand (the others are in Brooklyn and Nashville). Of course, Wi-Fi is available, but really, why would you want to?
Set just a short drive from hipster haven Phoenicia, along the Esopus Creek, this wilderness retreat resides on 68 acres and serves as a hub for outdoor attractions, like fly-fishing and hiking (hikes are listed in your welcome packet, from “beginner” to “asskicker”). Yet, relaxation is strongly encouraged, too, right off the bat: When you check in, you are greeted by the sight of a gorgeous rustic bar and an associate who asks, “Bubbles or Bourbon?”
Urban Cowboy Lodge is beautiful, comfortable, and fun. The 28 rooms (in five buildings) are individually designed and filled with books, antiques, and Pendleton robes and blankets. They have private decks, heated bathroom floors, and copper or cedar claw-foot soaking tubs. You can enjoy room service or have a meal in The Lodge’s restaurant that dishes up holistic meals showcasing local ingredients. Or grab a drink at the bar and step outside onto a large, private deck, or relax on an Adirondack chair by a fire pit. For those seeking family fun, there’s a rec room with a pool table, board games, leather furniture, beanbag chairs, a private screening room — and a sign for The Alpine Inn, a nod to the lodge’s former incarnation.
Porter and partner Phil Hospod have created an upstate home for travelers, along with an exciting destination that pays homage to history and the region. In a time when homes upstate are scarce, this is not just the next best thing. It’s better.
— By Kathryn Walsh
The Dutchess
Staatsburg
Starting rate from $475/night
Learning about The Dutchess for the first time is like hearing a secret. Upon first whisper, the farm-to-table experience in Dutchess County sounds almost as enchanting as the legends of the Hudson Valley that surround it. Yet, this is no sliver of Rip Van Winkle lore. Upon stepping foot onto the property, guests can immerse themselves in a weekend defined by relaxation, wellness, and the chance to reconnect with the earth.
A microcosm within the Hudson Valley, The Dutchess invites visitors for weekend retreats filled with education, elevated fare, and escapes into nature. There are three guest residences on-site, and all are equally luxurious. The first, a reconstructed barn, is ideal for couples and small groups, with moodily beautiful rooms that ooze comfort via luscious linens and antique details. For families and larger groups, The Guesthouse dates back to 1820, while The Stonehouse has an original framework from 1797.
Of course, the true pièce de résistance at The Dutchess is the authentic farm-to-table programming it offers. Led by Chef Mark Margiotta, formerly of New York City’s acclaimed Eleven Madison Park, the destination invites guests to explore the farm, learn about its sustainable practices, and sample its bounty during meals that take plant-based dining to incredible heights.
Wellness is a focal point for The Dutchess, too, with themed weekend programming centering around to-dos like restorative yoga in the barn, foraging walks on the property, and talks about regenerative farming with Margiotta and his team. When paired with its serene location and ample grounds on which to explore, hike, and wander, The Dutchess is the ideal place to disconnect from the stresses of life and reconnect with its beauty.
— By Sabrina Sucato
Hutton Brickyards
Kingston
Starting rate from $295/night
Hutton Brickyards, a bucolic and historic 73-acre site along the Hudson River, once produced many of the bricks that built Manhattan. Now it has produced a one-of-a-kind hotel with a multitude of pleasures. Guests stay in dreamy charcoal-gray cabins, evoking the feel of a bosky summer camp designed by someone with extremely good taste. Inspired by Shaker design, the cabins feature every modern convenience.
A brick (yes, Hutton brick, a material used creatively throughout the property) entrance leads inside, where an inviting bed and spacious shower await. Cozy gray robes are at the ready, along with Malin + Goetz amenities, big fluffy towels, and lots of storage. Stylish lighting, lovely colors, view-framing windows, and natural wood promote a sense of calm. Then there are the thoughtful touches, like stemmed wine glasses and a lantern for nighttime strolls. Some cabins come with turntables and albums, chosen by a music curator.
As evening approaches, guests fly their “Thirsty” flags, summoning the cocktail cart for predinner drinks. It’s a short stroll from there to The River Pavilion, an impressive open-air restaurant that puts diners right at the river’s edge. Valley-inspired specialties, such as cedar-planked steelhead trout and wood-roasted Snowdance Farm chicken, are prepared on outdoor ovens and grills. In October, the restaurant moves indoors.
Breakfast is delivered to your cabin door, and whether enjoyed on the porch or the riverfront Adirondack chairs, it’s a perfect time to plan the day: kayaking, paddling, yoga, guided hikes, and more.
The spa, located in several bespoke cabins, features talented masseuses and facialists; plus beautifully sourced, artisanal skincare products from the Hudson Valley, including Cultivate Apothecary, Apis, and Crystal Collection.
Every activity here happens amid the natural riverfront beauty of Hutton Brickyards — where the renovated structures and sculptural decommissioned ones add interest to every view.
— By Leslie Long
Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club
Sloatsburg
Starting rate from $795+/night
Tucked away in the sleepy Rockland County village of Sloatsburg, a natural but nearby escape waits among 70,000 acres of parkland in the southern corner of the Valley. At first glance, it would be hard to locate Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club, created and designed by 1stDibs founder Michael Bruno, along bustling Route 17. And that’s exactly the point.
Behind tall, wooden fences and towering trees, discover a serene getaway perfect for couples, friends, or wedding parties. Stay at one of the four distinct, 1800s-era cottages — The Farm House, The Rock House, The Verandas, and Twin Peaks — with comfortable, covered porches and views of natural greenery and the grounds. Within the two-floor homes there are three to five fully furnished bedrooms with en-suite baths, smart-home technology, and two-car parking in a private driveway.
Each guesthouse is uniquely designed with statement pieces, paintings and eclectic artwork, eye-catching light fixtures, and luxurious living spaces. Decorative full-length mirrors and avant-garde seating sprinkled through the homes. From the first-floor porches (or the Farm House’s second-floor porch), feast your eyes on the expansive, manicured grounds of the club.
Guests are welcome to stroll its three-acre grounds, with lush trees, well-kept grass, and delectable-smelling roses and hydrangeas. Follow the stone pathways and take in its impressive rose garden, with picturesque fountains; a hidden, tree-lined hideaway with flowing water and strung Edison-bulb fairy lights; or an untouched, bucolic barn near its northern entrance. To top it off, these charming corners are beautifully lit up in the evenings.
Throughout the property, guests can enjoy amenities like an outdoor farm-to-table restaurant, The Cantina (open Wednesday–Sunday), an Olympic-size in-ground pool with a patio, a new firepit with ample seating, and access to guided hiking or yoga sessions. Its rustic, organic market offers bakery items, dried flowers, cheese, marinades, and dry goods; down the walkway, guests can also use the 7,000 sq. ft. gym (open 24/7).
— By Francesca Furey
