Spring + Summer NYC Getaways
Escape the city heat and head for the hills
New York City is infamously sweltering in summer, and many full-time residents begin to escape on weekends starting in the spring. While the Hamptons, Fire Island, Montauk, Asbury Park, et al are top priorities for some, there’s plenty of charm and relief in a beach-less getaway (provided there are pools, lakes or springs for you to dip in). From the Adirondacks to Saratoga Springs, Woodstock, and all up and down the Hudson River, there are countless towns and hideaways across the state that provide welcome reprieve from the city—thanks to lush greenery, rolling hills, burbling streams and more. We’ve selected some of our favorite hotels and lodges below but exciting new properties—from Farmhouse Catskills to the Gray Barn and Maker Hotel—continue to populate the entire region.
Brentwood Hotel, Saratoga Springs
Driving onto the Brentwood Hotel‘s gravel courtyard—which itself clamors with growls of welcome—one can’t help but let out a sigh of relief. It’s a four-hour commitment from NYC, and the Taconic State Parkway doesn’t offer much to look at (in the colder months). Despite the petite nature of these lodgings—at one story, and 12 rooms—the reception desk makes a big impression with its high gloss black paint, antique furnishings, and tasteful gold embellishments. A motel it isn’t, the Brentwood seems to be declaring despite its former life as one built in the 1970s (the only thing preserved is the L-shaped structure and its name). It is, however, a labor of love from its owners Studio Tack, who took a break from designing other company’s properties to try out their own for the first time.
Graham & Co. Hotel, Catskills
Designed by four NYC creatives who have long-preferred the Catskills to the Hamptons crowd, Graham & Co. Hotel is an idyllic retreat: a rustic-yet-modern alternative to “grandma-ish spots” or expensive resorts. The former Cobblestone Motel is on a three-acre swath surrounded by mountains, sky and river. Since renovations incorporating minimalist design elements, rustic furnishings and intriguing barn-sale finds, it’s been transformed. The main block contains 13 rooms, ranging from cozy singles to deluxe doubles. Some include kitchenettes and each has an iPod-enabled Tivoli radio. There are also bunk-style rooms and plenty of space outdoors for guests to sprawl on the lawn, hang in the hammock, read in Adirondack chairs by the fire-pit or swim in the pool.
Deer Mountain Inn, Tannersville
With only six bedrooms (and two adjacent cottages), the Deer Mountain Inn yields an intimate, wooded sensation. Traditional luxury contrasts serenity, year round. Though, the on-site restaurant is definitely a social hub. Set among 168 acres, the inn’s property contains private trail which lead directly into neighboring state parks. As for additional outdoor activities, Deer Mountain Inn is in close proximity to plenty of advanced hiking trails, but a true regional stand-out happens to be the Town Tinker tubing in Phoenicia, where one trip down the river varies from relaxing to wild.
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