The pandemic accelerated an accommodations boom in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. This roundup features some of the most exciting new places to stay in the region, from renovated ski lodges to Scandinavian-inspired retreats. These properties offer distinctive experiences for all types of travelers. Bluebird Hunter Lodge boasts a redesign inspired by `70s road trips, while the Blue Fox Motel offers rustic pampering in log cabins. Habitas on Hudson is a Neoclassical mansion with a view of the Hudson River, while Howland House is a Catskills destination with handmade furniture and locally sourced antiques. Eastwind Oliverea Valley is the perfect place to unwind and practice hygge, and Camptown is a renovated motor lodge and log cabin retreat with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Bluebird Hunter Lodge | Hunter
This former ski lodge has undergone a redesign by Massachusetts design firm Elder and Ash inspired by `70s road trips, with natural textures and modern-rustic decor. The 44-room lodge has a variety of room configurations, some with bunk beds or pull-out couches, and others with pet-friendly outdoor access. The hotel’s Hunter Tavern offers classic fare and shared plates, as well as local beer tastings, biweekly trivia nights, and live music performances. With the lodge’s prime location and space, it’s an ideal base for outdoor adventure as well as a destination wedding venue. The redesign by Massachusetts design firm Elder and Ash elevates the building while keeping the original essence of the place, creating a stylishly nostalgic touch that pays homage to the natural surroundings.
Blue Fox Motel | Narrowsburg
The Blue Fox Motel in Narrowsburg is a rustic yet pampered accommodation that was opened by Jorge Neves and Meg Sullivan in 2020. Formerly the Ten-Mile River Motel, named for the waterway that rushes alongside it, the property includes an 11-room, log-cabin motel; another log building with suites; a restaurant; standalone cabins; and an in-ground pool. Every building has been renovated, while the exteriors remain unchanged, and the infrastructure has been modernized with added WiFi, fans, heating, and air conditioning, making the rooms rentable all year round. The Blue Fox restaurant, event space, and bar are all located in the same building. The motel’s spaces are versatile, offering guests an ideal spot to work remotely, seek inspiration, or relax by the pool.
Habitas-on-Hudson | Staatsburg
What might a stately home in Staatsburg have in common with villas in Saudi Arabia’s Ashar Valley or a sustainable sanctuary in Tulum, Mexico? Quite a lot, actually, as these are all examples of properties launched by the disruptive hospitality management group Habitas. Habitas-on-Hudson is a Neoclassical mansion with a glorious view of the river and rolling mountains beyond—a vista that drew Gilded Age money barons to construct multiple mansions nearby. Built around 1900, the home served as an inn, before opening as a Habitas property in December 2022. The layout of the main building, known as the Manor, features several sitting and lounging areas furnished with appealingly clustered, colorful Mid-Century furniture and vivid modern art. The Manor features six bedrooms, four of which offer an expansive river view, with an additional Lodge and Stone House, bringing the total number of bedrooms to 30. There’s a cozy intimate pub with a copper-topped bar and the Social, a ballroom-sized, farm-to-table restaurant focused on seasonal local ingredients.
Howland House | Mount Tremper
The Howland House in Mount Tremper has been a Catskills destination for New York City residents in various incarnations since it was built in the 1860s, steps away from the Esopus Creek. After a meticulous, masterful renovation over the past three years, it reopened last fall, reviving the name it held in 1920 and its original purpose as an inn. The lodging has 10 rooms which include one king-bed room, five queens, and four rooms with full-size beds. Seven rooms have private baths, some with soaking tubs; the remaining three rooms are in one wing of the inn, and share two hall baths. All the furniture pieces at the inn are either handmade (like those nightstands and hand-built walnut beds in some of the rooms), or locally sourced antiques. The rebuilt porch has Douglas fir floors, a slatted skirt, turned spindles, and wrought-iron railings custom made in Saugerties. A restored mahogany bar awaits patrons of Oliver’s, the onsite bar/tavern.
Eastwind Oliverea Valley | Windham
Eastwind Hotels, with locations in Windham and Lake Placid, opened its third hotel, Eastwind Oliverea Valley earlier this year. An elevated Scandinavian-inspired experience with a touch of Midcentury vintage style, it’s the group’s first ground-up build. The Catskills property offers 30 guest rooms, four different cabin types, and varying amenities such as private patios, vintage desks, and furnished lofts. The property features an all-day menu and dinner service at Dandelion, the on-site restaurant and bar, and a pool, complimentary bikes for nature rides, seasonal workshops, sunrise yoga sessions, and foraging walks. The sentiment of hygge, the Scandinavian concept of contentment and coziness, was at the forefront of the design.
Camptown | Leeds
Originally built in the 1930s, Camptown is a hotel retreat nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains just north of Catskill in the hamlet of Leeds. Reimagined by Ray Pirkle and Kim Bucci, owners and creators of Rivertown Lodge in Hudson, Camptown is the first hotel solely designed by the duo under their debut company, Ramshackle Studio. The property has undergone a thoughtful renovation and redesign, embracing existing original architectural details while punctuating the spaces with custom work created through partnerships with local artists and woodworkers. Situated on 22 wooded acres of land to explore, Camptown features a motor lodge consisting of 24 guest rooms and 26 log cabins (many with functioning kitchens or wood burning stoves) that are equally suited for short-term visits and longer stays. Casa Susanna, the property’s Mexican restaurant helmed by Chef Efrén Hernández, offers a seasonal menu focused on fresh produce. Additional property features include a sauna, fire pits, grilling area, and access to a multitude of outdoor recreational activities.
Reclaimed Motel | Red Hook
The former Hearthstone Motel on Route 9 in Red Hook was reopened last year—after an extensive renovation by new owners Kendra Sinclair and Jared Vengrin—as the Reclaimed Motel, a one-of-a-kind motor lodge with a funky and nostalgic vibe. The 1960s motel has been reimagined by the couple as a vintage and antiques playground—each room is decorated distinctively, featuring hand-selected items, from tiles to lighting, from doors to vinyl records, to art and mirrors. Don’t be surprised to find a record player and some classic vinyl in your room, or other retro-chic amenities. Reclaimed is also pet-friendly, so don’t forget Fido!
