Credit: @littlesherpatravels on Instagram
Whether you’re looking to enjoy the finer things in life or celebrate a special occasion, a luxurious winter getaway is waiting for you in New York State. From a mountaintop castle resort overlooking the Hudson Valley to a high-end suite in the city that never sleeps to a boutique mountain lodge tucked in the Catskills forests, find your perfect winter luxury experience in surprising and stunning settings in New York State.
Originally published 01/20/2023 | Updated 11/19/2024
Credit: @lakeplacidlodge on Instagram
The wilds of the Adirondacks meet refined elegance at this lakeside retreat with rooms that bear breathtaking views of Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain and ooze with rustic charm (think stone fireplaces and hand-carved wooden beds). The Main Lodge’s top-floor suite is a fairytale setting, where you can rest on a king-size feather bed surrounded by branches and feel as though you’re sleeping within a forest. Step onto your private covered balcony and take in the brisk lake air while sitting upon a swinging bed, or linger in the suite’s deep soaking tub. Treat your senses to a decadent farm-to-table dinner featuring the best of the season in the lodge’s lakeside dining room at Artisan Restaurant. You might also get VIP access to the resort’s intimate wine cellar, which boasts an impressive bottle collection. While planning a day touring the Olympic sites in Lake Placid, make sure to schedule an afternoon of pampering at Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa, with a massage for two (starting at $360 and up for 50 minutes), or pedicures that are perfect after a long day on your feet ($130).
Saratoga Arms, Saratoga Springs (Capital-Saratoga)
Located in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, this four-star, family-run property provides a grandeur setting within this city that feels like the “Hamptons of the North” (just sans beach). The circa 1870 Saratoga Arms boasts 31 elegant rooms and suites with fireplaces or whirlpools. A scrumptious breakfast is served daily—with gluten, vegan, and dairy-free selections available—and then a chef’s selection of small plates makes for a nice pairing with a glass of wine or beer by the fire. Add a little romance to your stay with their all-inclusive Date Night Special package, complete with movie tickets, truffles and sparkling wine, and a $50 dining card to some of the best restaurants in town. Make the most of your getaway with a luscious sugar or sea salt scrub and immerse yourself in the mineral waters at Roosevelt Baths & Spa and check out iconic vehicles like the 1931 Duesenberg J Rollston Victoria Convertible and 1955 Jaguar D Type at the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Evolution of Performance & Design exhibit. Hamlet & Ghost, Chianti il Ristorante, Boca Bistro, Salt & Char, and Lake Ridge Restaurant will satisfy all your fine dining needs.
Credit: @littlesherpatravels on Instagram
Nestled along the Big Indian Wilderness, this boutique mountain lodge puts a trendy yet stunning take on staying in the Catskills through their uniquely-themed guest rooms spread across five buildings. The Alpine holds suites adorned with signature clawfoot tubs, cast iron stoves providing warmth and coziness, and private decks with valley and forest views. The Chalet wows not only with wood-paneled cathedral ceilings and large picture windows in every room, but also an oversized bedroom, full kitchen, and private deck with a Japanese soaking tub for two. Dinner at the lodge’s Public House centers on a menu that’s seasonal, veg-forward, and locally sourced. Head out for dinner at Peekamoose Restaurant, housed inside a former farmhouse. Their upscale American menu features wood-grilled octopus and oven roasted Atlantic cod that are always a hit. Make an appointment for two at Emerson Spa in Mount Tremper, for a “Couples VIP Soak and Massage” ($475 per couple) paired with truffles and prosecco.
Feel like you’ve made it to the big leagues at this grand dame hotel in the heart of Cooperstown. This historic resort, which every summer plays host to the greatest living baseball legends for Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, provides modern luxury along the pristine shores of Otsego Lake. Start with some pampering at Hawkeye Spa and choose from their curated menu of skin care and massage treatments. Keep up your golf swing on a specialized simulator with access to over 200 courses at their Leatherstocking Golf Course Clubhouse. The Hawkeye Bar & Grill is the place to dine during wintertime, with lake views and some of the best burgers around. The restaurant will offer special international cuisine nights (Wednesdays and Thursdays January 8 – April 3 ), offering authentic dishes from a different country each week. A visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame is always priceless, but complete yours with a purchase of limited-edition autographed memorabilia. Cooperstown Bat Company not only manufactures professional game bats, but also engraves them for a personal touch. As for other shopping, J. Gorman Fine Jewelry can help find that certain ring or make a custom design of your own.
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Experience gorgeous sunsets over the water in wintertime at this lakefront hotel on the southeastern shores of Chautauqua Lake. Many rooms and suites have patios and lake views, but all provide deluxe bedding and plush robes for a luxurious night’s rest. The onsite Lakehouse Tap and Grille (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is furnished with a glass encased wine vault and stone accents with a full-bar service. What also makes this hot property cool is their annual Fire & Ice Celebration (February 13-15, 2025) complete with an ice bar and firepits. For a taste of the area, Chop House on Main puts a contemporary take on the classic steakhouse (try their Braised Pork Osso Bucco). For fine wine and good times, go for a tasting at Johnson Estate Winery. Be sure to get a glass (or bottle) of their estate-grown Chambourcin, which was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2022 New York Wine Classic.
Credit: @innsofaurora on Instagram
See firsthand why the five intimate and distinctive inns within this storybook village took the top spot on Travel & Leisure’s “Best Resort in New York 2022 World’s Best Awards” list. The flagship Aurora Inn, built in 1833, balances historic charm with modern luxury and is also home to an esteemed farm-to-table restaurant. Have some hands-on fun with cooking demos and special tastings at the Aurora Cooks! Demonstration Kitchen. Browse goods at the village market, sign up for wellness, cultural, and culinary classes at the activities center, or relax at the spa, which has two hydrotherapy circuits and an extensive menu of therapeutic treatments. A 45-minute drive will bring you to Taughannock Falls State Park, home to the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies. Enjoy an intimate and informative wine tasting at Heart and Hands Winery, a wine and chocolate flight at Bright Leaf Vineyard, and stunning views of the vineyards and Cayuga Lake at Quarry Ridge Winery.
Buffalo’s first and only AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel sets the standard for luxury in the heart of downtown. Elegant rooms and suites combine old world charm with contemporary sophistication that are complimented with butler service. Overnight accommodations also include a European-style continental breakfast, butler-driven Range Rover transportation within a 3-mile radius, valet parking, and a happy hour cocktail. Food and wine lovers can try Las Puertas’ $85 tasting menu and Bacchus Wine Bar’s “Wine School Wednesday” provides sommelier-led sessions on varietals and the regions with wine and small bite pairings. ($55 per guest).
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Perched atop the Shawangunk Mountains overlooking the crystal waters of Lake Mohonk, this all-inclusive Victorian castle resort looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale. This landmark resort boasts 265 elegant rooms and suites bearing furnishings inspired by the hotel’s rich history dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Relax and renew at the award-winning spa’s 16 treatment rooms and outdoor heated mineral pool, indulge in fine farm-to-table cuisine, sip on handcrafted cocktails in the Carriage House, and explore 85 miles of nature trails. With a robust events calendar plus a wide range of winter activities including outdoor ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing, you’ll find everything you need for your perfect luxury escape all under one roof.
Credit: Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Spa
A beach getaway in winter can be just as stunning as the warm summer months. Gurney’s, the only luxury hotel in the Hamptons that’s right on the beach, is the perfect spot to take in the sea and sand thanks to their 158 rooms, suites, and beachfront cottages that all deliver dramatic Atlantic Ocean views. The 30,000-square-foot Seawater Spa features the only ocean-fed seawater pool in North America, a caldarium, thermae baths, reinvigorating cold plunge pools, indoor-outdoor treatment rooms, and a variety of fitness studios. Dining includes the Italian Scarpetta Beach,and a grab-and-go OG Coffee & Juice, plus a new restaurant on the way for spring 2025. Guests can pick up some culinary techniques through a Saturday afternoon Mixology class and weekend cupcake decorating workshops. Head over to the easternmost point of the state where New York’s oldest and Montauk’s famous lighthouse stands, go seal spotting at Montauk Point State Park, and then make your way over to wine country to kick back Hamptons-style with some vino at Wolffer Estate.
The Chatwal, Manhattan (New York City)
It’s not hard to see why The Chatwal, located near Times Square and Bryant Park, has been featured continuously on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Readers Choice Awards” list. This ranking is reflected first with their butler service and complimentary use of the infinity saltwater lap pool, plunge jacuzzi, and 24-hour access fitness room within the hotel’s 3,500 square-foot-spa. Dine on New American fare at the Lambs Club, a 53-seat Art Deco clubhouse serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The property is also touted as both family-friendly, with the offering of complimentary MINU strollers, and pet-friendly, as Chatwal’s “Pet Wardrobe Supervisor” can curate a personalized pet closet. Head over to Fifth Avenue for your fill of high-end shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, Coach, Bergdorf Goodman, and UNIQLO. It’s also near the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center, so you can easily tour some of the city’s greatest sights.
Credit: @1000islandsharborhotel on Instagram
Set on the banks of the stunning St. Lawrence River, Clayton’s only AAA Four Diamond property delivers the best panoramic water views from its spacious rooms and suites. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and a fully equipped fitness center. A concierge service can easily recommend the best spots in town for trying local wines and beers or taking in the shoreline’s scenery. Sit down for upscale dining and cocktails at the hotel’s Seaway Grille, with a focus on classic American cuisine. Consider a chilly stay at the hotel during their “ICE Bar” Party on February 6-8, 2025. Indulge in rejuvenating signature facial and therapeutic massages at the River Wellness Center right in Clayton and then taste your pick of dry, semi-dry, sweet, and dessert wines at Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay.
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