Fans of the great American folktale of Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle may recall its setting in pre-revolutionary New York, in the vast forests of the Catskills. Any traveler, especially those escaping bustling Manhattan two to three hours south, can take a few pointers from the Rip. His passions included wandering through the lush mountains and verdant valleys of the Catskill Mountains, where he found solace amongst the trees and intrigue in the rivers and streams. There’s certainly something to say, here, about the wilderness, and the enchantment that comes from the endlessly green and mountainous Catskills region, even if it’s peace doesn’t cause you to sleep through the entire American Revolution.
Any traveler resting their head in the Catskills can enjoy a deep slumber (albeit not as lengthy as Winkle’s) at one of the region’s coziest, refined, one-of-a-kind hotels. In your waking hours, today, there’s much more to do in the region. Whether you’re embracing a meditative retreat, taking a dip into the creative scene, or venturing out in the wilderness, the Catskills is unmatched for its confluence of culture and nature. From Bethel to Narrowsburg, Woodstock or Livingston Manor, the towns are playful and creative, built into the mountains, and proud of their respective quirks.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best Catskills hotels to make the most of the region’s magic.
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
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