Courtesy of She Buys Travel: New York’s Catskills were once home to sprawling resorts where NYC families headed in summer to escape the city heat. As air travel became affordable for the middle class, the Catskills’ popularity declined as families began to vacation farther from home. Some of the resorts survived, like the Victorian-era Mohonk Mountain House and Villa Roma, but most closed, became derelict, and were demolished.
Today, the Catskill region is experiencing a renaissance, thanks in part to its “discovery” by urban COVID refugees. It’s a beautiful part of New York State with tons of fun things to do and terrific restaurants, all located within an easy drive of NYC.
Here are the best resorts in the Catskills for a great stay.
The Bradstan Boutique Hotel
I’ll begin by stating that I adore The Bradstan. I’ve been fortunate to stay here twice, once on New Year’s Eve and once for a friend’s wedding. The warm welcome you receive might initially make you think you’ve been confused with a dear friend. Nope. It’s just the way they treat their guests, at both the hotel and the property’s Homestead Restaurant, one of the best dining options in the Catskills.
The decor is rustic luxe. I’ve tried to replicate it at home, sadly without much success. The way plaid mingles with velvet with birch bark is genius. The Bradstan is located near the Bethel Woods concert venue making it a great place to overnight after a show.
Why The Bradstan is a great resort in the Catskills:
- Contemporary rustic design feels comfortably luxe
- Rooms are large with plush bedding and floor-to-ceiling windows for enjoying the view
- Excellent on-site restaurant that hosts special events throughout the year on Sundays including cabaret evenings, murder mystery nights, and comedians
- Outdoor pool, fitness center, and 2-mile nature trail with fitness stations
- Rowboats, kayaks, and paddle boats available on Sunrise Lake
- Room rates include a hearty breakfast, featuring the housemade cinnamon roll bread (loaves are available for purchase – trust me, you’ll want that.)’