All-inclusive resorts in New York State
The Chatwal Lodge in the Catskills features three state-of-the-art treehouses, offering guests a private and elevated escape immersed in nature. Credit: Joe Thomas/The Chatwal Lodge
The Borscht Belt may be gone forever, but the carefree thrills, frills and big meals associated with that legendary era live on this winter at a handful of resorts a few hours’ drive upstate.
At all-inclusive resorts ranging from lakeside castles to a lodge with newly opened state-of-the-art tree houses, guests indulge in breakfast buffets and farm-to-table dinners, loosen up at yoga sessions and wine pairing events, and relax in spas, on a horseback ride or at a family-friendly comedy show. All that and more is included in overnight rates starting from several hundred to $1,000 dollars, with special winter and weekday rates available.
Nowadays, the vacation getaway famously portrayed in classic movies like “Dirty Dancing” is not so much about escaping the big city, travel experts say. It’s “about not having to make a lot of decisions, and about being able to fully embrace a vacation instead of getting yanked back to reality every time a bill has to be paid,” said Glenn Haussman, a Long Island-based hospitality industry adviser, podcaster and host of the “No Vacancy News” online trade publication.
For guests looking to escape the daily grind with no checkout surprises, here are five all-inclusive resorts to stay, play, wine and dine at before the snow melts.
Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center
356 Villa Roma Rd., Callicoon
One of the more affordable options in the region, Villa Roma prides itself as offering “a cruise ship on land” ambience, said spokesman Adam Jacobson. Choose from 150 rooms and 200 one-and-two-bedroom suites, the latter with kitchen and living room areas. Nearby, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts celebrates the Rock ‘N’ Roll era in a museum on the site of the 1969 Woodstock music festival.
What’s included An “All-Inclusive Fun Stay” ($155-$174) covers breakfast and dinner, and extras such as lift tickets for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, and indoor bowling, pickleball, racquetball and romps in an inflatable fun park.
Room rates Midweek rates starting at $155 for adults, $75 per child
More info 800-533-6767, villaroma.com
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
600 State Route 44/55, Highland
A winter stay at The Rocking Horse Ranch includes unlimited access to the Winter Fun Park. Guests can also enjoy skiing, snow tubing and ice skating. Credit: The Rocking Horse Ranch
Still riding high since it was opened in 1958 by two New York City natives, Rocking Horse lives up to its reputation as one of the nation’s largest dude ranches with a daily horse parade. More than 100 horses can be saddled up, year-round, for rides on 500 acres of trails.
What’s included Put on the feed bag in the Longhorn Dining Room with a 40-item breakfast buffet, a lunchtime salad bar and, for dinner, choices such as applewood-smoked Kansas City barbecue. Guests looking for fresh air fun can also go skiing, snow tubing and ice skating (equipment included) in the Winter Fun Park. Magic shows, live music and comedy are on tap nightly at the Silverado Saloon.
Room rates Starting at $499 per night for up to four people.
More info 800-647-2624, rockinghorseranch.com
The Otesaga Resort Hotel
60 Lake St., Cooperstown
The historic hotel built in 1909 in the Catskill foothills, has long been known for the scenic view of Otsego Lake outside its 400 wraparound windows. It’s also conveniently located next to the famed Leatherstocking Golf Course, also built in 1909, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a short walk away in Cooperstown. Warm up on-site in the coffee bar or at the Hawkeye Bar & Grill’s hearth.
What’s included A full week of activities begin with the daily 11 a.m. resort history tour. On Monday taste craft beer from the local Brewery Ommegang, and on Tuesday sample the resort’s extensive domestic and international wine list. For a change of pace (and beverages), take the Wednesday Tea and Table Setting Class. Tee off, virtually, on an indoor golf simulator re-creating more than 200 courses, including the legendary links next door. Other daily classes: instructor-guided meditation and an introduction to drawing and absinthe liquor.
Room rates The special $229 “Cozy In Cooperstown” nightly winter rate includes a hot chocolate kit for each guest.
More info 607-547-9931, otesaga.com
The Chatwal Lodge
338 Chapin Trail, White Lake
The Chatwal Lodge in the Catskills, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is an all-inclusive resort nestled over 100 secluded acres along the Toronto Reservoir. Credit: Joe Thomas/The Chatwal Lodge
Taking the all-inclusive concept to a new level, the Hyatt property opened a trio of state-of-the-art tree houses this winter. Cradled 15 feet above ground in an oak and maple canopy, each treehouse unit offers mountain views through big windows, custom-furnished king- and queen-size bedrooms connected by an interior staircase and an exterior deck with a gas fire pit. ($2,300 per night for up to four people) For a more down-to-earth experience, opt for 11 suites and cottages on the historic estate on a former 18,000-acre wildlife preserve.
What’s Included During a recent stay, Haussman, 53, of Smithtown, enjoyed a gourmet dinner and, for breakfast, the resort's signature omelet. “The culinary concepts were on par with some of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had globally," he said. "Your stay begins with dinner, continues with three daily meals, and ends with a farewell lunch — all in the lodge or via room service. In-room refrigerators are stocked with snacks and beverages to sate midnight cravings.
For outdoor fun, guests can go forest bathing with a guide, try snowshoeing on 100 secluded acres along the Toronto Reservoir or attend a nightly fire pit s’mores toasting party. The Recreation Center features throwback activities like duckpin bowling and shuffleboard, plus a theater room, a library and nooks for curling up with your resort read.
Room rates Starting at $900 per night
More info 845-583-8300, hyatt.com
Mohonk Mountain House
1,000 Mountain Rest Rd., New Paltz
Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz offers stunning mountain views for guests. Guests can also go tubing, snowshoeing, outdoor ice skating, swim in the indoor pool and more. Credit: Mohonk Mountain House
A National Historic Landmark towering over scenic Lake Mohonk, this castle in the mountains hosts up to 600 guests in Victorian-style rooms, suites and the recently opened Grove Lodge with stone fireplaces and a cozy Great Room.
Kathy Coley, 73, of Port Washington, a retired college administrator, visited last winter with her daughter and 4-year-old grandson. “It’s like the resort in ‘Dirty Dancing,’ it’s very family-friendly,” Coley said. The menu in the mountain view main dining room “appeals to the young ones” as well as offering “local vegetables and plant-based options," Coley said.
What’s included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and, if you have room for more, afternoon tea and cookies. Work it off, socialize or just relax in the 30,000-square-foot Spa Wing. It’s equipped with 16 treatment rooms, a solarium, an outdoor heated mineral pool, an indoor heated pool, a fitness center and a yoga/motion studio. Daily activities run from naturalist-led nature and wildlife hikes to marshmallow toasting sessions around a fire pit. Fill the quiet hours with Bingo, trivia contests, family-friendly stand-up comedy and movies with popcorn provided.
Room rates Starting at $1,118 for two per night
More info 855-274-4020, mohonk.com
