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The Spruceton Inn in New York’s Catskill Mountains.
Casey Scieszka

Best places to stay on a New York road trip

The best hotels, motels, and B&Bs within driving distance of New York City

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The Spruceton Inn in New York’s Catskill Mountains.
| Casey Scieszka

When the mood—nay, the need—to get away from the hectic pace of New York City strikes, there’s no shortage of charming small towns nearby to satisfy that urge. And thanks to an influx of stylish, design-forward lodgings in the towns around New York’s Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains, it’s easier than ever to find a great place to stay during an impromptu road trip or weekend getaway.

Here, we’ve compiled about a dozen excellent hotels, B&Bs, and inns that are all within driving distance of NYC—so, about three hours—that will satisfy every taste, whether you’re looking for a classic retro motel, a hip mountain lodge, or even a tiny cabin in the middle of the woods.

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Getaway cabins

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Looking for a simpler weekend trip? Try one of Getaway’s tiny homes. The Boston-based startup has planted several of its Instagram ready-cabins, made to sleep anywhere from 2-4 people, in a wooded enclave in the Catskills that feels very removed from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Each cabin comes equipped with a tiny kitchen, sleeping areas, and a functional bathroom; what they don’t come with is Wi-Fi, television, or any other techy distractions. Visitors are encouraged to put down their phones and unwind, with activities like board games or campfires (all the equipment you’d need for that is provided, too).

Maisie getaway

Outlier Inn

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The Outlier isn’t quite an inn in the traditional sense; a better way to think of it might be as a collection of one-of-a-kind places to get away from NYC’s hectic pace. One, pictured here, is a geodesic dome/yurt that’s “BYOBed”; if you’re looking for something that’s slightly less rustic, there’s a revamped 1953 trailer with sleeping accommodations, or a tiny house on wheels that sleeps two. Whatever you choose, though, you’ll have access to the Inn’s shared amenities, including an outdoor shower and a dining area on the grounds.

A dome-shaped tent sits on a wooden platform in the middle of a clearing in a forest. Courtesy the Outlier Inn

The Graham & Co.

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Yes, it’s another hip Catskills hotel, though this one comes with the added benefit of a pool. Located in the trendy town of Phoenicia (perhaps you’ve seen your friends wearing Phoenicia Diner T-shirts?), the Graham & Co. bills itself as “a modern take on the classic weekend away”—the inn itself has a retro vibe, and rooms are fairly minimalist, but what it lacks in frippery it makes up for in coziness. Amenities include free bike rentals, a badminton court, a picnic area, and a fire pit.

Spruceton Inn

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Brooklynites Casey Scieszka and Steven Weinberg opened this no-frills hotel—they call it a “bar and breakfast”—in 2014, with just nine spare but stylish rooms in the middle of the Catskills. But the rooms aren’t necessarily why you’re there: The hotel’s grounds include plenty of spaces to hang out, including a meadow (complete with a hammock), five fire pits, and a small bar that also doubles as the front desk. The West Kill, which is a stone’s throw away, is also suitable for swimming if you so choose.

R'el Dade

Hotel Dylan

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This boutique hotel takes inspiration from the iconic Woodstock music festival (which actually happened in Bethel, but just go with it) for many of its details, from the room names—The Jimi, The Band, etc.—to the photos hung on its walls. The Novogratz design duo is responsible for the interiors, which are cheerful and nod to the hippie-inspired theme. Amenities include a communal lawn with hammocks and a fire pit, and access to a gym nearby.

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Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel

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Kate Pierson, the flame-haired singer of the B-52’s, opened this retro motel near Woodstock in 2004, and it’s been a hoppin’ destination for fans of kitschy ’50s style ever since. There are nine different rooms, each of which is decked out in colorful midcentury style; Pierson worked with artist Philip Maberry (whose own Hudson Valley home appeared in the video for “Love Shack”) on the design for some of the delightfully retro suites. It doesn’t have the frills of some other upstate lodgings, but if you’re looking for a unique getaway, you won’t do any better than this.

Courtesy Kate’s Lazy Meadow

Audrey's Farmhouse

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For more of a traditional B&B experience, check out this quaint inn that’s just a short drive from Beacon. Proprietors Doug Posey and Sally Watkinson spruced up the 1740-built farmhouse after purchasing it a few years ago, giving its guest rooms (of which there are now approximately 20) a rustic-chic feel. The B&B is pet-friendly, and amenities for guests include complimentary breakfast, plenty of space to chill both in and outdoors, and high-end bath products. For hiking fiends, it’s close to the Shawangunk Mountains and Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Courtesy Audrey’s Farmhouse

Scribner's Catskill Lodge

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A once-derelict inn near Hunter, New York, was recently reborn as Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, which keeps the midcentury bones while adding a dash of 21st-century cool. Each of the hotel’s 38 rooms are cozy and chic, and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, rain showers, and in some cases, private balconies with lovely Catskill views. Scribner’s also hosts events, including yoga classes and hiking with a “mountain concierge”; it also recently opened a bar and restaurant, Prospect, that serves “playful twists on mountain cuisine.”

Nicole Frazen

Eastwind Hotel & Bar

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Inspired by Scandinavian design, Eastwind boasts cozy rooms characterized by wood paneling, stone walls, midcentury furniture, and other simple details that were hand-picked by the owners. The most enticing of the lodging options is the simple A-frame, called Lushna, Eastwind’s take on glamping. Measuring 220 square feet and propped on stilts, these cabins offer all the creature comforts like a queen bed, bathroom, a sauna—even Wi-Fi. A large picture window frames gorgeous views of Windham Mountain.

Photos via Eastwind Hotel & Bar

Mohonk Mountain House

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Mohonk Mountain House is always a popular destination for weekend warriors, but it really shines in the summer, when there are myriad outdoor activities—paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming among them—that visitors can take advantage of. (There are also day passes if you want to go horseback riding or use the spa, then head right back to NYC.) And while the lodge itself may date back to the 19th century, its accommodations are anything but dated; some rooms have the added bonus of having serenity-inspiring lake or mountain views.

Courtesy Mohonk Mountain House

Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa

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Set on 75 acres in Milton, New York, Buttermilk Falls is an especially serene retreat thanks to its grounds—bucolic, with a gorgeous view of the Hudson River—and the on-site spa, situated in a modern, glass-walled building. The inn itself comprises several different buildings, with everything from modest suites to guest cottages and houses intended for larger groups.

Stewart House

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The Stewart House has been a hotel, in some form or another, since 1883, but its current iteration is much newer. Its was a wreck after Hurricane Irene, so owner Owen Lipstein gave it a gut renovation that transformed the historic inn into a cozy, comfortable oasis. A historic renovation is expected to be complete by Memorial Day. Each of its rooms can host varying numbers of travelers, and many have lovely Hudson River views. There’s also an on-site bar and restaurant, Happy Jake’s, which has outdoor seating and the occasional live band.

The Hudson Milliner Guesthouse & Inn

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The name of this B&B, which opened in 2013, is quite literal: It was once a hat shop, which its new owners—two artists from Brooklyn, naturally—transformed into an industrial-cool, four-room inn. They kept some of the building’s 19th-century details, including mahogany-framed windows and pocket doors, while adding their own flair. Each of the guest rooms has its own vibe—the Fedora is bright and modern, the Bowler has a more vintage feel—and the inn’s amenities include free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, and more.

Rivertown Lodge

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A onetime movie theater in the hip hamlet of Hudson is now the Rivertown Lodge, a chic hotel that takes the whole locally-sourced thing very seriously. Furniture comes from a company based in Rhinebeck; artists from the area (including Melissa Auf der Maur, who runs the nearby Basilica event space) have contributed pieces; and both the bar and kitchen were built by local craftsman. The rooms are simple and chic, and there are plenty of common spaces for guests, including a coffee bar in the lobby, and a bar and restaurant serving—you guessed it—locally-sourced fare.

Collective Hudson Valley

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If you travel just a bit outside of the five boroughs, you can experience five-star accommodations in the midst of nature thanks to Collective Retreats, which recently opened a resort on an organic farm in Ghent, New York, not too far from the hip haven of Hudson. It features both luxury tents kitted out with plush linens, swank amenities, and even real, honest-to-God toilets, along with a communal lodge for guests.

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Getaway cabins

Looking for a simpler weekend trip? Try one of Getaway’s tiny homes. The Boston-based startup has planted several of its Instagram ready-cabins, made to sleep anywhere from 2-4 people, in a wooded enclave in the Catskills that feels very removed from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Each cabin comes equipped with a tiny kitchen, sleeping areas, and a functional bathroom; what they don’t come with is Wi-Fi, television, or any other techy distractions. Visitors are encouraged to put down their phones and unwind, with activities like board games or campfires (all the equipment you’d need for that is provided, too).

Maisie getaway

Outlier Inn

The Outlier isn’t quite an inn in the traditional sense; a better way to think of it might be as a collection of one-of-a-kind places to get away from NYC’s hectic pace. One, pictured here, is a geodesic dome/yurt that’s “BYOBed”; if you’re looking for something that’s slightly less rustic, there’s a revamped 1953 trailer with sleeping accommodations, or a tiny house on wheels that sleeps two. Whatever you choose, though, you’ll have access to the Inn’s shared amenities, including an outdoor shower and a dining area on the grounds.

A dome-shaped tent sits on a wooden platform in the middle of a clearing in a forest. Courtesy the Outlier Inn

The Graham & Co.

Yes, it’s another hip Catskills hotel, though this one comes with the added benefit of a pool. Located in the trendy town of Phoenicia (perhaps you’ve seen your friends wearing Phoenicia Diner T-shirts?), the Graham & Co. bills itself as “a modern take on the classic weekend away”—the inn itself has a retro vibe, and rooms are fairly minimalist, but what it lacks in frippery it makes up for in coziness. Amenities include free bike rentals, a badminton court, a picnic area, and a fire pit.

Spruceton Inn

Brooklynites Casey Scieszka and Steven Weinberg opened this no-frills hotel—they call it a “bar and breakfast”—in 2014, with just nine spare but stylish rooms in the middle of the Catskills. But the rooms aren’t necessarily why you’re there: The hotel’s grounds include plenty of spaces to hang out, including a meadow (complete with a hammock), five fire pits, and a small bar that also doubles as the front desk. The West Kill, which is a stone’s throw away, is also suitable for swimming if you so choose.

R'el Dade

Hotel Dylan

This boutique hotel takes inspiration from the iconic Woodstock music festival (which actually happened in Bethel, but just go with it) for many of its details, from the room names—The Jimi, The Band, etc.—to the photos hung on its walls. The Novogratz design duo is responsible for the interiors, which are cheerful and nod to the hippie-inspired theme. Amenities include a communal lawn with hammocks and a fire pit, and access to a gym nearby.

A post shared by Hotel Dylan (@hoteldylan) on

Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel

Kate Pierson, the flame-haired singer of the B-52’s, opened this retro motel near Woodstock in 2004, and it’s been a hoppin’ destination for fans of kitschy ’50s style ever since. There are nine different rooms, each of which is decked out in colorful midcentury style; Pierson worked with artist Philip Maberry (whose own Hudson Valley home appeared in the video for “Love Shack”) on the design for some of the delightfully retro suites. It doesn’t have the frills of some other upstate lodgings, but if you’re looking for a unique getaway, you won’t do any better than this.

Courtesy Kate’s Lazy Meadow

Audrey's Farmhouse

For more of a traditional B&B experience, check out this quaint inn that’s just a short drive from Beacon. Proprietors Doug Posey and Sally Watkinson spruced up the 1740-built farmhouse after purchasing it a few years ago, giving its guest rooms (of which there are now approximately 20) a rustic-chic feel. The B&B is pet-friendly, and amenities for guests include complimentary breakfast, plenty of space to chill both in and outdoors, and high-end bath products. For hiking fiends, it’s close to the Shawangunk Mountains and Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Courtesy Audrey’s Farmhouse

Scribner's Catskill Lodge

A once-derelict inn near Hunter, New York, was recently reborn as Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, which keeps the midcentury bones while adding a dash of 21st-century cool. Each of the hotel’s 38 rooms are cozy and chic, and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, rain showers, and in some cases, private balconies with lovely Catskill views. Scribner’s also hosts events, including yoga classes and hiking with a “mountain concierge”; it also recently opened a bar and restaurant, Prospect, that serves “playful twists on mountain cuisine.”

Nicole Frazen

Eastwind Hotel & Bar

Inspired by Scandinavian design, Eastwind boasts cozy rooms characterized by wood paneling, stone walls, midcentury furniture, and other simple details that were hand-picked by the owners. The most enticing of the lodging options is the simple A-frame, called Lushna, Eastwind’s take on glamping. Measuring 220 square feet and propped on stilts, these cabins offer all the creature comforts like a queen bed, bathroom, a sauna—even Wi-Fi. A large picture window frames gorgeous views of Windham Mountain.

Photos via Eastwind Hotel & Bar

Mohonk Mountain House

Mohonk Mountain House is always a popular destination for weekend warriors, but it really shines in the summer, when there are myriad outdoor activities—paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming among them—that visitors can take advantage of. (There are also day passes if you want to go horseback riding or use the spa, then head right back to NYC.) And while the lodge itself may date back to the 19th century, its accommodations are anything but dated; some rooms have the added bonus of having serenity-inspiring lake or mountain views.

Courtesy Mohonk Mountain House

Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa

Set on 75 acres in Milton, New York, Buttermilk Falls is an especially serene retreat thanks to its grounds—bucolic, with a gorgeous view of the Hudson River—and the on-site spa, situated in a modern, glass-walled building. The inn itself comprises several different buildings, with everything from modest suites to guest cottages and houses intended for larger groups.

Stewart House

The Stewart House has been a hotel, in some form or another, since 1883, but its current iteration is much newer. Its was a wreck after Hurricane Irene, so owner Owen Lipstein gave it a gut renovation that transformed the historic inn into a cozy, comfortable oasis. A historic renovation is expected to be complete by Memorial Day. Each of its rooms can host varying numbers of travelers, and many have lovely Hudson River views. There’s also an on-site bar and restaurant, Happy Jake’s, which has outdoor seating and the occasional live band.

The Hudson Milliner Guesthouse & Inn

The name of this B&B, which opened in 2013, is quite literal: It was once a hat shop, which its new owners—two artists from Brooklyn, naturally—transformed into an industrial-cool, four-room inn. They kept some of the building’s 19th-century details, including mahogany-framed windows and pocket doors, while adding their own flair. Each of the guest rooms has its own vibe—the Fedora is bright and modern, the Bowler has a more vintage feel—and the inn’s amenities include free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, and more.

Rivertown Lodge

A onetime movie theater in the hip hamlet of Hudson is now the Rivertown Lodge, a chic hotel that takes the whole locally-sourced thing very seriously. Furniture comes from a company based in Rhinebeck; artists from the area (including Melissa Auf der Maur, who runs the nearby Basilica event space) have contributed pieces; and both the bar and kitchen were built by local craftsman. The rooms are simple and chic, and there are plenty of common spaces for guests, including a coffee bar in the lobby, and a bar and restaurant serving—you guessed it—locally-sourced fare.

Collective Hudson Valley

If you travel just a bit outside of the five boroughs, you can experience five-star accommodations in the midst of nature thanks to Collective Retreats, which recently opened a resort on an organic farm in Ghent, New York, not too far from the hip haven of Hudson. It features both luxury tents kitted out with plush linens, swank amenities, and even real, honest-to-God toilets, along with a communal lodge for guests.