Vacation In The Catskills
I love visiting the Catskills during summer. The air cools down and there’s peace and quiet. I’m guessing you had the same experience, since there’s a reason that vacationers have been flocking to this mountain range for over a century.
If you have an ounce of wanderlust in your body, then the Catskills are for you! If natural beauty, restaurants (3.5 star average Yelp rating), and tons of attractions (Shake Shack, anyone?) appeal to you, then this region is a must visit! As a native New Yorker, I grew up hearing about the Catskills. However, until a few years ago I had never been. When I finally visited two years ago I was shocked at how much fun this region was. Since then my father and I have made it our annual family vacation destination.
JEB and his family were lucky enough to spend two weeks in the beautiful Catskills this past summer. They drove up, grabbing Subway sandwiches on the way and spending a day exploring New York City. In addition to taking in all the fun activities — horseback riding, hiking, boating, swimming and more — the family also had some great camping meals, made easy by their handy portable grill. While at their campsite, JEB and his family cooked hot dogs and burgers for dinner almost every night. In fact, six out of the fourteen nights they were there were spent enjoying grilled meals.
One of the best times to visit is during autumn, when the leaves change to spectacular shades of orange and yellow. More families make their way up north for the duration of their vacation, which means the hotels usually have plenty of availability. You can also save money by booking rooms early. Most people make reservations months in advance; however if you book early, you will usually save money on your room. Even if you don’t have a reservation, you should still inquire at hotel check-in because there is a chance they will have some unoccupied rooms that are not yet available for online booking.
Vacation In The Catskills
The Catskills have been synonymous with carefree summer vacations for over a century. New York City dwellers began to flock here in the late 19th century to escape the sweltering urban heat and soak up the fresh country air, wide-open spaces, and beautiful scenery.
During the heyday of the Catskills (1940s – 1960s), the region was New York’s premier vacation destination and counted over 500 hotels, from boarding houses and bungalow colonies to all-inclusive resorts. Families would come back to the same locale every summer, thrilled to reconnect with friends in the great outdoors.
A renaissance in tourism over the past decade has ushered in a sprinkling of rustic-chic hotels and trendy contemporary-style lodgings. Today visitors can choose from brand-new resorts and historic lodgings that have been refurbished to suit modern tastes. It’s still possible to find resorts that offer the old-time Catskills vacation experience, complete with full-board meals, recreational activities, and entertainment.
Where to stay in the Catskills depends on your vacation preferences. The Great Northern Catskills region has some of New York’s best ski resorts, hiking trails, and mountain landscapes. Within this area, the communities of Hunter, Windham, and Tannersville provide accommodations for outdoorsy escapes and ski vacations.
At the heart of the Catskill Park, the quaint bohemian village of Phoenicia puts travelers in a central location ideal for various outdoor activities. The famous town of Woodstock offers cultural attractions, cute boutiques, and great restaurants.
Nowadays, the Catskills are more than just a summer destination. You can enjoy the area in all seasons, whether fly fishing in the springtime, leaf peeping in the autumn, or skiing during the winter. For a getaway focused on fly fishing or water sports, some of the top places to stay are Roscoe, Livingston Manor, and Deposit.
Whichever location serves as your base, the Catskills region is sure to deliver a rejuvenating experience. Choose the accommodations that suit your preferences with our guide to the best resorts in the Catskills.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Winter Clove Inn & Resort, Round Top
Boasting one of the most attractive settings in the Catskills, the historic Winter Clove Inn & Resort in Round Top is a mountain oasis just waiting to be explored. The delightful family-run 300-acre property is landscaped with well-manicured lawns and attractive gardens, all just steps away from a vast area of unspoiled wilderness, including a spectacular nearby waterfalls.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy an all-inclusive meal plan (with three meals a day), heated outdoor and indoor swimming pools, and a beautiful 9-hole golf course with mountain views. Other fun activities include an on-site antique bowling alley; a games room; as well as basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts. A nice perk is the inclusion of free cross-country ski gear when the snow falls.
A popular choice of accommodation if available is the resort’s large three-bedroom suite set in the former carriage house. This nicely decorated unit comes with two bathrooms, a large living room area, and a mini-fridge.
Accommodation: Winter Clove Inn & Resort
2. Emerson Resort & Spa, Mount Tremper
At the heart of the Catskill Park, the Emerson Resort & Spa stands alongside the gurgling Esopus Creek in the shadow of Mount Tremper. The property offers a haven of relaxation and recreation, with opportunities for hiking and biking on nearby trails, fly fishing in the Esopus Creek, being pampered at the property’s award-winning spa, and taking yoga classes at the fitness center.
Guests may join guided nature walks on the resort grounds or spend some time birding. Bird-watchers can spot bald eagles or great blue herons on the property, gliding above the Esopus Creek. Complimentary binoculars are available from the front desk. The nearby Ashokan Rail Trail is another great place for birding.
The long list of amenities at the Emerson Resort & Spa includes a concierge; bicycles that guests may borrow free of charge; a hair salon; an outdoor swimming pool (open Memorial Day through Labor Day) with an area for sunbathing on lounge chairs; a casual restaurant that serves hearty American cuisine; a snack bar that offers smoothie fruit bowls and other healthy items; and a gallery of boutiques that sell clothing, home decor, toys, and local specialty-food products.
Blending contemporary minimalist style and classic decor elements, the resort’s spacious yet cozy guest rooms are outfitted with private balconies, flat-screen televisions, and mini refrigerators. Accommodations are found in two separate buildings: the modern inn and the rustic log-cabin-style lodge.
Accommodation: Emerson Resort & Spa
3. Beaverkill Valley Inn, Lew Beach
This historic inn is cradled by a magnificent valley, near the legendary site where fly fishing began in America. In this peaceful environment surrounded by meadows and mountains, you can see the stars at night and spot eagles soaring above open fields during the day. Nature lovers will relish the hotel’s 60-acre property with 40 miles of private hiking trails.
A destination for foodies, the Beaverkill Valley Inn has a noteworthy farm-to-table restaurant that uses ingredients from local farms and from the property’s organic kitchen garden. House-made baked goods, pastries, and breads round out the tempting menu. The four-course dinner menu changes daily, reflecting the seasonality of the dishes.
This 19-room boutique hotel has top-notch amenities usually only found at larger resorts. Guests may take advantage of the clubhouse, children’s play area, ice-cream parlor, tennis court, indoor basketball court, game room with billiards, and ping pong table. There’s also an indoor swimming pool in a beautiful glass-roofed space that dates to the 1960s. In the wintertime, it’s possible to go cross-country skiing on the property or skate on the on-site ice-skating rink.
There are also opportunities to bird-watch, play croquet, relax on the front porch, picnic, and go fly-fishing on a private one-mile stretch of the Beaverkill River. Guests can also take fly fishing lessons on the property on the Beaverkill River.
Accommodation: Beaverkill Valley Inn
4. Hotel Mountain Brook, Tannersville
Nestled in the Great Northern Catskills near the lively downtown of Tannersville, the 4-star Hotel Mountain Brook offers a relaxing vacation experience in an invigorating mountain setting.
The traditional Adirondack-style lodge includes a variety of room options. The best of these are the larger deluxe suites that come with private entrances, king beds, spacious living areas with traditional real fireplaces, and large bathrooms with jet tubs. They also boast roomy furnished porches or balconies. Several private cabins are also available.
The picturesque grounds feature meadows that bloom with wildflowers and benches to admire the mountain vistas. Other amenities include an outdoor terrace and fireplace for roasting s’mores, a library with books you may borrow, and a cozy fireplace-warmed den.
In addition to the property’s incredible views, a highlight of a stay at the Hotel Mountain Brook is the complimentary breakfast. This homemade gourmet meal, including continental-style options and a hot entrée, is served in the common areas or on the front porch.
The inn is located close to numerous activities such as golf and hiking and biking trails, and it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the town center, which has a good selection of shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Accommodation: Mountain Brook
5. The DeBruce, Livingston Manor
Chic contemporary style defines the decor and ambience of The DeBruce, while the idyllic natural setting ensures a tranquil retreat. In the lush Willowemoc Valley, this upscale resort occupies a renovated historic hotel that dates back to the heyday of the Catskills in the early 20th century.
With only 14 guest rooms, The DeBruce feels like a boutique hotel but has the amenities of a larger resort hotel. Guest rooms are outfitted with sumptuous decor, including down comforters and fine Italian bed linens. Some rooms afford views of the Willowemoc Valley or glimpses of the Catskill Mountains.
True to its heritage as a classic Catskills summertime resort, The DeBruce offers all-inclusive lodging that includes half-board meals (breakfast and dinner). The property, which spans hundreds of acres, has an outdoor swimming pool and common areas with views of the picturesque Willowemoc landscape, a spa, a private five-mile hiking trail, and a half-mile of private access to the Willowemoc River for fly fishing.
Gourmands will appreciate the hotel’s award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. The menu focuses on dishes prepared from seasonal ingredients grown in the region. The chef sources products from the property’s garden, as well as from nearby farms.
Accommodation: The DeBruce
6. Urban Cowboy Lodge, Big Indian
The Urban Cowboy Lodge is one of the trendy new hotels to appear during the Catskills Renaissance of recent years. Catering to young travelers and couples, the hotel features edgy and eclectic decor that stands out from the typical minimalistic or rustic-chic Catskill lodges. Accommodations are in five buildings, all with mountain views.
This stylish 3-star boutique hotel (with only 28 rooms) has an intimate feel but offers the amenities of a resort such as welcome refreshments, yoga classes, and wood-burning fireplaces in the common areas.
Spread out on 68 acres traversed by the Esopus Creek, this rural retreat includes private hiking trails. The remote setting means that there is no cell phone service. However, the hotel keeps its clientele entertained with DJ music on the deck.
Guests will appreciate the on-site restaurant, the Public House, which offers a small menu of local farm-to-table cuisine. There’s also a renowned restaurant nearby, The Peekamoose, which serves refined American cuisine.
Accommodation: Urban Cowboy Lodge
7. Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, Hunter
A Borscht Belt holdover from the 1960s, Scribner’s delivers a classic Catskills resort experience. However, the accommodations and dining options have been updated to suit todays’ guests.
Many of the bright, spacious guest rooms have private balconies that look out onto the Catskill Mountains, and some rooms have fireplaces. The recently renovated bathrooms are decked out with terra-cotta tiles and Italian-style rain showers.
The 3-star resort property features an outdoor swimming pool, a kitchen garden, and pop-up gourmet food trucks. Other highlights of a stay at Scribner’s include the special events, such as summertime bonfires, the fall food festival, guided meadow walks, and yoga classes.
The hotel’s casual on-site restaurant offers contemporary farm-to-table cuisine, with ingredients sourced from local farms in the Catskills and the nearby Hudson Valley. The sleek modern dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Hunter Mountain. There’s also outdoor seating on the cedar deck.
Scribner’s Catskill Lodge is located in the Great Northern Catskills. From the hotel, it’s a short (10-minute) drive to the Kaaterskill Falls trail and other popular Catskills hikes. The hotel is also less than a five-minute drive from Hunter Mountain Resort, convenient for ski vacations.
Accommodation: Scribner’s Catskill Lodge
8. Shandaken Inn, Shandaken
Tucked away in a quiet valley, the Shandaken Inn enjoys a breathtaking setting on 12 acres of bucolic land. The lush forested property is fringed by the Esopus Creek, a top destination for fly fishing.
The hotel’s main building was originally the clubhouse for a golf course that dates to the 1920s. Recently renovated and reopened in 2019, the Shandaken Inn exemplifies the Catskills Renaissance trend of refurbishing historic properties to suit today’s visitors.
Blending modern and rustic elements, the guest rooms are furnished with handmade lodge-style furniture, contemporary-style designer wallpaper, oak wood floors, and fine Frette bed linens. Beautifully designed bathrooms include fancy bath products and cozy bathrobes. For the most luxurious stay, choose a suite with a fireplace and sitting area.