Just an hour’s drive from Kingston, yet far enough into the Catskill Mountains to feel like a true getaway, is Delaware County. With quietly bustling main streets tucked among sweeping pastoral landscapes, the county strikes an alluring balance of solitude and spunk. With hundreds of miles of forests that offer unparalleled access to quintessential Catskills pursuits like hiking, swimming, and fly fishing, a bustling farm-to-table restaurant and craft beverage scene, and arts and culture galore, there’s plenty to do during a summertime stay.
When it comes to finding a cozy spot to spend the night, Delaware County is rife with accommodations that add a splash of something spectacular to any vacation. From an artist-built glamping village to a pop-culture themed motel, here are five spots to stay that sparkle with that Catskill Mountain je ne sais quoi.
Farm Stay at Stony Creek Farmstead
Delaware County has deep agricultural roots, and a renewed commitment from today’s farmers and local food producers is keeping that tradition going strong. At Stony Creek Farmstead in Walton, guests can stay in a spacious platform tent while connecting with the rhythms of the Marsiglio family’s working organic farm. Say “hay” to the cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens, then cook up a bountiful meal made from farm-fresh ingredients from their farm store.
Harmony Hill Retreat Center
Surrounded by 70 wooded mountain acres in East Meredith, guests at Harmony Hill Retreat can unplug and get back to nature by staying in their own private luxury yurt, which comes with a king-sized bed under a dome skylight for dreamy stargazing. Guests can go on a guided tour of the property’s trails, take a sacred geometry journey to the center of a fieldstone labyrinth, or book a Reiki treatment with co-owner Chris Rosenthal.
The Roxbury Experience
It’s no coincidence that the larger-than-life digs at the Roxbury Motel and the Roxbury at Stratton Falls feel like they were taken directly from a Broadway stage. Located just three minutes apart in the quiet village of Roxbury, the vivacious accommodations were created by former theater professionals Gregory Henderson and Joseph Massa. The Roxbury Motel’s rooms borrow themes from TV and movies ranging from the Wizard of Oz to Indiana Jones. Stratton Falls, opened during the pandemic, has eight fantastical tower cottages and a circa-1800s mansion with seven rooms that take their themes from the property’s storied past.
The Hamden Inn
With a history that dates back to the 1840s, the newly renovated Hamden Inn in Hamden offers a heaping helping of old-school charm and classic architectural details. Its two bookable units—a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom—are perfect for small groups and longer stays. Conveniently located on the first floor is the Lounge, a restaurant and bar offering up seasonally influenced takes on classic bistro fare.
Bellfire in the Catskills
In 2014, artists Mina Teslaru and Rich Tazzara discovered a secluded 10-acre property in Meeker Hollow near Roxbury and dove head-first into transforming their little corner of the Catskills into an artists’ retreat and off-grid hideaway for reconnecting with the natural world. The glamping village at Bellfire in the Catskills features four tiny dwellings that were meticulously designed and hand-built by the artists, including a modern interpretation of a Victorian Romani wagon. In addition to miles of forest to roam, guests have access to a sauna and a large floating deck in the wildflower meadow that’s perfect for yoga or taking in the stars.
For more inspiration on where to go and what to do in Delaware County, visit Greatwesterncatskills.com.
