Courtesy of Men’s Journal: Heading for the hills and hamlets of New York’s Catskills is a no-brainer for urban escapists in late summer and fall. Checking into any of these singular hotels is your smartest first move.
The famed Catskills have long been a playground for nature lovers and urban escapists alike—and home to some of the finest resorts and hotels hiding just 100 miles (and a world apart) from New York City. Recent years have seen much revitalization at top Catskills hotels in this verdant, small town-studded “mountain region” (technically it’s a dissected plateau) in southeastern New York—or “upstate,” depending on your vantage point. While outdoor pursuits run the gamut here, from hiking and biking along rugged trails to fly-fishing in trout-filled streams and savoring quiet moments beside cascading waterfalls, every Catskills adventure begins right when—and, importantly, where—you’re checking in.
Whether you’re time-traveling back to one of those Mrs. Maisel-era mainstays of yore—from Kutsher’s Hotel and Country Club to Grossinger’s Catskill Resort and The Concord Resort Hotel—or opting for one of the latest boutique gems in this storied area, you’re in for a treat. Here are the best Catskills hotels and resorts that are equal parts tranquility and adrenaline, and your perfect late summer or fall getaway.
The Eldred Preserve: Eldred, NY
Another bucolic Sullivan County hideaway in the southern Catskills, this property marries minimalist modern architecture with impeccably maintained grounds and a heck of a pool scene. First, some trivia. Dan Silna, who owns The Eldred Preserve with his wife, Joan, is the former co-owner of the American Basketball Association’s Spirits of St. Louis. To this day, the deal Dan and his brother, Ozzie, made with the NBA in the 1970s is still hailed as “the greatest North American sports agreement ever.”
When you’re done wandering around the walking trails for overnight guests or lazing by the pool, hot tub, or lakefront, reserve a table at the grand Homestead Restaurant. It features higher than high ceilings, chandeliers that will make your heart melt, and indoor and outdoor seating. Stay a while over a bottle of vino as you feast on gazpacho, fresh catch, aged steaks, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for the new Eldred Spa set to debut in 2024.