Inn Love

With big hotel chains, you know what to expect and there’s a certain comfort in that. But outside of urban centers, name recognition is harder to come by. In its place, however, independent inns run by locals can promise a more intimate experience, breathing some magic back into travel. When executed well, these charming accommodations offer a meaningful experience you simply cannot find at any major hotel chain. Here are four options to consider for a change of pace on your next trip to the mountains.

At the center of the town of Kinderhook, NY, is Old Dutch Inn. Holding nine guest rooms, the building is delightfully whimsical—while remaining up-to-date technologically to ensure each visitor is comfortable. The inn property’s rich history is preserved in each room’s name, a reminder of the building’s 200 years of service. The luxury inn is steps away from restaurants and local attractions, including the Samascott Orchards, where guests can pick their own fresh fruit and vegetables, the Empire State Trail for biking and walking and the seasonal farmers market. While the inn doesn’t offer food, each room provides a gift card to a local café and a coffee station in the lobby is available to each guest.

INNS, NOT OUTS (from above) Old Dutch Inn, The Feathers Tavern at The Six Bells Countryside Inn, The Outlier Inn; (featured image at top) Prospect Berkshires.

A brand-new offering in Rosendale, NY, is The Six Bells Countryside Inn. Conceived by Audrey Gelman, founder of The Wing, it tells the story of a fictional town named Barrow’s Green through its room’s names and the décor found within. As an extension of her pre-existing home goods brand, furniture and décor in the rooms are available for sale, so guests can bring a bit of Barrow’s Green magic home with them. The inn also features The Feathers Tavern, which serves country-style American food and promises murder-mystery party weekends where guests can fully immerse themselves in the Barrow’s Green story.

Prospect Berkshires isn’t an inn in the traditional sense, but their 49 homey cabins built deep in the wilderness in Egremont, MA, promise to be just as cozy. Prospect Berkshires is a full resort complete with The Cliff House restaurant, salt-water pool, multiple saunas, tennis courts and seasonal offerings such as paddleboarding and ice skating on the lake. Though the facilities are beautiful, the heavy emphasis is on the nature around it rather than what’s inside—each cabin boasts a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door to allow nature’s presence inside at all times. That’s not to say they haven’t put work into their interior, of course. Each cabin is furnished with cotton linens, hypoallergenic down blankets and wool blankets from one of the oldest wool mills in the country. Guests are encouraged to pack for warmth, even during summertime, as the only way to get from place to place is to walk outdoors.

The Outlier Inn, in Woodridge, NY, is a special destination for sure. While their focus is group retreats, they offer stays for individuals with a two-night minimum. The property features a dozen options for individual stays year-round, consisting of several full-size houses, a cottage and a bungalow. In the warmer months, they also make available several tiny houses (one of which is built entirely out of recycled materials), two geodesic domes meant for larger groups and an antique trailer refurbished for guests. The property contains several communal facilities for cooking, bathing and swimming, with a sauna and amphitheater on the premises. Despite its remote location, the inn offers high-speed internet and presentation spaces with monitors and projectors. Amenities available include yoga classes, massage therapy, a private chef by request and even dog obedience training. The property includes a full recording studio, which is available to book by appointment to musicians and non-musicians alike and a farm, which everyone is encouraged to visit. The barn shop is open 24/7 on an honor system and sells produce and yarn goods made from their on-site sheep. What could possibly be more “mountains” than this?