Hudson Valley Havens

by Anne Roderique-Jones, January 29, 2009

Emerson Resort and Spa
www.emersonresort.com
The East-meets-West theme at the supremely chic Inn at Emerson Resort and Spa is unique from the outdoorsyness of many Hudson Valley resorts. Each Asian-inspired, jewel-toned room of the 26-room of the Inn is equipped with a gas fireplace, jetted tub, and a private deck. There’s also a 24-bottle in-room wine selection. These touches attract celebrities like the Clintons, Bill Cosby, and Victoria’s Secret and Vogue Italia models. The spa at Emerson specializes in ayurvedic rituals drawing from ancient Indian healing wisdom, along with wellness classes for those seeking rest and rejuvenation. Tamara Murray, public relations director, explained that many of the guests love the property because it’s self-contained (though exploring the area’s outdoor beauty is encouraged). You never need to leave the property to visit the spa or restaurant. Also, the Inn at Emerson is adults-only (but not in that freaky-deaky, hedonistic way), so this is the ultimate retreat. If you can’t manage a sitter then you can bring the kiddies (and the pets) along to the Lodge, the more rustic property located across the road.


Scribner Hollow Lodge
www.scribnerhollow.com
To say that Scribner Hollow Lodge is unique would be an understatement. With themed rooms decked out in Southwest-adobe, hunting-lodge, classic ski-duplex, and penthouse-suite styles, the lodge seems almost kitschy, but upscale comfort might be more appropriate. What makes the lodge so loveable is the modesty that it maintains. The über-accomplished on-site restaurant—worth a trip in itself—has been made famous by food and wine magazines across the country. A bathing suit should be packed for the equally fascinating grotto, an indoor, cave-like heated swimming pool that spills over with waterfalls, Jacuzzis, and a sauna. (There’s also an outdoor swimming pool.) Wintertime is king here thanks to skiing in Hunter. The lodge has partnerships and ski packages for their guests. This would be the optimum time to book that classic ski duplex.



The Rhinecliff Hotel
www.therhinecliff.com
Just a quarter mile from the Rhinecliff Amtrak station lies some fascinating musical history. What began as a restaurant in the late 1800s evolved into a boxcar hub where musicians would come to jam. (Miles Davis is rumored to have been one of them.) The dusty dive sadly closed shop by 2003. Five years and $5 million later, James Chapman and his brother David (who often frequented the seedy joint to drink beers and ponder what it might be like to fix the place up) have restored the Rhinecliff Hotel to historic brilliance. They pay homage to the locals by hosting community events, many of which are in the bar. “The bar is the main hangout, but what’s surprising to people is that it’s a relaxed pub atmosphere, and then all of the sudden, some very serious food hits your table,” James Chapman says. The entire hotel maintains this effort. The rooms are fresh and airy with lovely views. There was a recent article about noise from the train. What did James have to say about the commotion? “The Rhinecliff was built because this town was once a transportation hub,” he says. “We embrace that.” They go as far to put earplugs with an endearing note in each room that states “We love trains.”