Where to Stay in the Catskills and Hudson Valley in 2025

A four-story white wooden building with green roof and two porches, surrounded by lawn and trees — Many of the 33 rooms at Kenoza Hall have soaking tubs and views of the hotel’s namesake lake.

A mere two-hour drive from New York City are two tranquil, green regions that New Yorkers frequent to get away from sirens, car horns, and skyscrapers. Up until the 1980s, vacationers’ main options in the Catskills and Hudson Valley were large, lavish resorts like Grossinger’s and the Concord. (Both served as models for the hotel in Dirty Dancing.) The past decade, though, has seen boutique properties aplenty cropping up, introducing intimate accommodations with design-forward aesthetics and focus on local farmers and makers. And along with a proliferation of independent restaurants and shops, the hotels have even helped bring new life to small towns like Woodstock, Hudson, and Livingston Manor.

The Catskills and the Hudson Valley are beautiful year-round. There’s plenty of hiking to do, swimming holes in which to cool off (plus hotel pools), the 750-mile Empire State Trail to cycle, hills to ski and sled, and fall foliage to admire. No matter the season, book a night or two at one of these 11 inviting hotels.

Guest room with oak floor, green velvet bed with red curtain behind it, white walls, and flowers on bedside tables — Kenoza Hall’s 10 clapboard bungalows look like they were pulled straight from a scene in *Dirty Dancing*.

Kenoza Hall

Kenoza Lake

Kenoza Hall has 10 standalone bungalows plus 22 rooms in an early 1900s boarding house on 55 acres of property overlooking Kenoza Lake in the western Catskills. Guest accommodations have original hardwood floors, Sferra linens, and custom furniture in soft grays and pinks; some even have deep-soaking tubs and private balconies or porches. On the ground floor, guests can read or drink (or both) by the fieldstone fireplace in the Parlor Room, browse old maps and guidebooks in the Map Room, or do yoga in the Movement Studio.

The restaurant and bar have a lakeside terrace where guests and plenty of locals tuck into classics done well—oysters Rockefeller, say, or a burger or grilled salmon. Activities mirror the simple fare: canoeing and rowing on Kenoza Lake, swimming in the hotel’s pool, or relaxing in its hot tub and outdoor sauna.

Interior of the Cabin, with dark wood high ceiling, patterned textiles, glassed-in shower, copper tub, and large chandelier of antlers — Urban Cowboy’s 600-square-foot standalone cabin has a gas fireplace and copper clawfoot tub.

Urban Cowboy Lodge

Big Indian

Urban Cowboy Lodge is spread across 68 acres in Big Indian. Each of its 29 guest rooms is a bucolic hideaway with Pendleton textiles, hand-printed wallpaper, and touches like antler artwork and salvaged wood headboards. Every room in the Alpine building has a clawfoot tub and a gas fireplace, while some rooms in Walden have Japanese cedar soaking tubs. There’s no pool on site, but you can try a dip in nearby swimming holes and rivers. Urban Cowboy leans into its slightly kitsch vibes—it even has a two-lane bowling alley and cocktail bar called Ralph’s.

Large red sign spelling MOTEL on roof of pink brick rooms — With its vintage sign and pink exterior, the Starlite Motel brings a bit of Wes Anderson to the Catskills.

The Starlite Motel

Kerhonkson

Starlite Motel is a stylish base for exploring Catskill favorites like Minnewaska State Park, Mohonk Preserve, and Sam’s Point. Built in the 1960s, the motel was a roadside mainstay for decades, but in sore need of an update when fashion industry vet Alix Umen and artist Adriana Farmiga purchased it in 2018. Working alongside arts professional Gwen Hill, Umen and Farmiga paid homage to the original building by keeping the turquoise doors and bones of the motel, but painted the exterior pink for a Wes Anderson vibe. In the 16 rooms, guests now find a blend of Shaker, Scandinavian, and midcentury design, plus works by local artists and designers with close ties to the Catskills. Elsewhere on the property, a saltwater pool and spacious deck offer the perfect place to relax after a nearby hike, while the Canteen (a bar-like setup in rooms 11 and 12) comes in handy for quick breakfasts as well as local beverages and snacks throughout the day.

Little Cat Lodge

Hillsdale

The mid-1800s farmhouse that is today Little Cat Lodge sits right on the New York–Massachusetts border, where the Hudson Valley meets the Berkshires. Formerly called the Swiss Hutte, it was lovingly renovated by Noah Bernamoff and Matt Kliegman, the pair behind NYC hot spots like Grand Army Bar, Pebble Bar, and Blackseed Bagels. They tapped Hudson Valley’s Love Is Enough design studio to help the hotel stay true to its alpine-inspired heritage, and the 14 rooms (12 classic, 2 suites) are super cozy. Their beds are made from maple wood sourced from nearby Catamount Mountain; meanwhile, the wood-paneled walls and gingham- or floral-print linens might tempt you to stay in with a good book. For nearby sightseeing, walk to Catamount Mountain next door or drive to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, a cute town for strolling.

The food fits the setting: simple but done well, using local ingredients where possible. Expect beer-battered fish and chips, spicy tuna with crispy rice, and a nostalgia-inducing baked mac and cheese.

Aerial view of white three-story building with mansard roof, with circular driveway in foreground — Travel to France without leaving New York at Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck

Many of Afar’s favorite hotels in the Hudson Valley and Catskills are vintage and rustic, but the Mirbeau in Rhinebeck stands out with as a brand known for its ornate French château–style hotel. Instead of rustic wood paneling and record players, its rooms are feature engraved metal headboards and gilt-framed mirrors; some have fireplaces and Juliette balconies. Cruise around the town of Rhinebeck on one of the hotel’s bikes, or join free daily fitness classes like stretching or deep relaxation yoga.

Shandaken Inn

Shandaken

Antler-stand lamp and old-fashioned telephone on side table next to bright blue sofa in guest room — Several rooms at the Shandaken Inn include cozy sitting areas for reading a book.

Set on 12 acres, the Shandaken Inn occupies a 1920s golf clubhouse that hosted guests for almost 100 years before shuttering. Now, the property is home to 12 “modern-meets-rustic” guest rooms and 3 suites, complete with wood furniture from La Lune and Old Hickory, rugs from Stark Carpet, and textured wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries. Some feature original wood floors, while others have fireplaces, sleeper sofas, and sitting areas. Also on site: a lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, a tennis court, a heated seasonal pool, an outdoor firepit (BYO s’mores supplies), and a fitness center with Peloton bikes. The restaurant, open for dinner and brunch, serves old favorites like chicken Milanese and more inventive dishes, such as stinging nettle dumplings with garlic scapes, preserved lemon, and ricotta salata, in a morel broth.

The Maker Hotel

Hudson

The Maker comes courtesy of Fresh skincare cofounders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg along with hospitality expert Damien Janowicz. Located in the heart of Hudson, it’s spread across three historical structures—an 1800s-era carriage house, a Georgian mansion, and a Greek revival building—and celebrates the world of makers, especially local Hudson Valley craftspeople. Each of the 11 rooms is distinct, with bohemian decor inspired by the Belle Époque period, art deco style, and midcentury aesthetics—and all have Fresh beauty products in the bathroom, of course. The Architect Studio includes midcentury-modern furniture, herringbone fabric wallpaper, and an olive granite soaking tub, while the Artist Studio pairs eclectic artwork with a stained glass window, antique fireplace, and vintage painting easel.

Housed in a plant-filled conservatory, the Maker’s modern Italian restaurant serves ramp risotto and rye flour pappardelle with local heritage pork for dinner. The hotel’s café, Bartlett House, has a drool-worthy case of sweets, including cherry cornmeal scones.

Guest room with evergreen wreath on door, bed with teal duvet cover, yellow chair, teal mini-fridge, and several plants — Nick’s Nook has a kitchenette and private patio.

The Herwood Inn

Woodstock

If you’re after the amenities of a hotel but want to do a bit of cooking, book one of four suites at the Herwood Inn in the heart of Woodstock. Each suite is named for an iconic female musician—there’s the King Suite for Carole, the Franklin Flat for Aretha, Mitchell Manor for Joni, and Nick’s Nook for Stevie. The design is far from rock and roll and feels very homey—shelves filled with books, plenty of plants, a 60s-ish couch in marigold and another in deep blue. In the kitchen is a vintage-style mini-fridge, cookware, a kettle, toaster oven, coffee maker, and even a small waffle iron.

When not listening to records in the rooms, guests can borrow cruiser bikes or soak in the outdoor wooden hot tub. Downtown Woodstock, with all its boutiques and restaurants, is next door. If you forget any necessities and don’t want to pop out, peruse the hotel’s Commune + Shop, full of eco and local products.

Guest room with slanted white beam ceiling, a gray sofa, and two windows near bed — The sofa in the Bungalow King room at Scribner’s can transform into a comfy kids’ bed.

Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

Hunter

The 38 rooms at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge are all about wood: vaulted timber ceilings painted white, dark floorboards, and built-in furniture made of blond lumber, all within a black-wood-clad building. with built-in blond wood furniture and dark wooden floors that contrast nicely with the whitewashed vaulted ceilings. In the bathroom are terra-cotta tiles and rainforest showers. The Scribner’s and Hunter suites have their own fireplaces for a cozy après-ski (the hotel is less than a mile from the Hunter Mountain ski area).

For added privacy, book one of 11 yurt-shaped cabins known as the Rounds, a 10-minute walk from the Lodge. Each has a gas fireplace, private lawn that begs for a picnic and good book, Japanese soaking tub, and a seasonal outdoor shower. A king bed and a twin trundle mean the 550-square-foot space can accommodate two adults and two children.

A two-story wooden house with porches surrounded by greenery — Troutbeck’s Benton House building has three suites, one of which connects to a standard room.

Troutbeck

Amenia

Urbanites looking to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing a single creature comfort have been spending weekends at Troutbeck since its opening in 2017. Across a handful of buildings, including the 1919 Manor House and the late 18th-century Benton House and Cottage, are 37 airy rooms whose four-poster beds beckon with their crisp white linens. Those in Benton House, which opened in 2022, have grass cloth wallpaper and subtle plaid and striped patterns throughout. The bold saffron yellow or rich navy blue four-poster beds in each room were designed by Connecticut-based furniture maker Ian Ingersoll.

If you can pull yourself away from your room, sweat it out in the sauna or on the tennis courts, stretch out during yoga in the barn, or splash around in the pool.

Guest room with windows, french doors opening to outdoors, brown curtains, and two leather armchairs — The Henson’s Juliet room is named for its small balcony that looks over the mountains and garden.

The Henson

Hensonville

On arrival at the Henson, editor Katherine LaGrave had the feeling of being at home. Chalk it up to design, aesthetic, and general vibes: The building dates to 1918, and the boutique hotel opened in 2024, replete with 16 dog-friendly rooms, an herb garden, a rooftop deck overlooking Windham Mountain, a lawn with bocce, and even a creek for summer swims. Rooms are decked out with Casper mattresses, Marshall speakers, and Grown Alchemist products. The editor’s favorite space on the property was the living room, with a crackling wood-burning fireplace, cabinets full of games, and books and blankets galore. The hotel is also a destination for its restaurant, Matilda. Founded by chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra (who are behind New York City’s popular Contra and Wildair eateries), Matilda celebrates the bounty of the Catskills region with a menu based on seasons and local farmers. Think Hudson Valley trout with clams, green garlic, and potatoes, or roasted onions with rhubarb, bonito, and sourdough breadcrumbs. The best part? If you’re staying at the hotel, it’s just down a flight of stairs.

Opening soon:

The Six Bells Country Inn is slated to open June 16 on Main St. in tiny Rosendale. The historic building has a riverfront restaurant and 11 cottagecore-chic rooms—think antique-style wallpaper, canopy beds, and pine cladding.

This article was originally published in 2020 and most recently updated on May 29, 2025, with current information. Devorah Lev-Tov, Lyndsey Matthews, and Katherine LaGrave contributed to the reporting of this story.

Sophie Friedman

Sophie Friedman is a freelance travel and food writer based in New York and Marseille, France. She has worked on a dozen guidebooks for Fodor’s, covering destinations such as Egypt, Myanmar, and China. Her writing and photos have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, The Infatuation, Roadbook, and more. Her favorite ways to move around are by train and bike, and her backpack always has nuts, clementines, and something to read.

Where to Stay in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, New York, in 2025

11 snug boutique hotels for a weekend escape from the concrete jungle.