Shandaken Inn, a cozy bed-and-breakfast hotel in Shandaken, New York, had a soft opening in December 2019, and Travelbinger was among the first to check in back in March to review the new Catskills property.
The 12-acre inn along Esopus Creek was transformed from a famous, 1920s golf clubhouse. It’s quite interesting to think about how the structure has survived 100 years, since it feels incredibly new. Like the crop of new Catskills properties opening the past few years, Shandaken Inn was gutted, renovated, restored and reimagined, and the owner approached the design with a classic-meets-rustic elegance.
Guests can expect dark woods and white Frette linens, textured wallpaper, ceramic Portico tiles, one-click fireplaces and rugs. All 15 rooms are cozy and intimate (rates are from $198 to $350, and fluctuate by season), and there’s a main lounge with wood-burning fireplace and a bar, outdoor pool, a fitness room with Peloton bikes, tennis court and outdoor fire pit.
Shandaken Inn is one of the more remote properties I checked into on a recent trip to Catskills. I appreciated the simplicity of Shandaken Inn, as well as the seclusion, but what really makes it stand out is the sprawling outdoor space.
Take a look at our review of Shandaken Inn in Catskills, New York.
As soon as we arrived, we knew how quiet our stay would be. Shandaken Inn is tucked away on a main road and so removed, you have to get in your car and drive miles to the nearest restaurant. I love this. For one, that’s what Catskills is all about. Finding a place to decompress, but being remote also means you’ll spend more time on property.
The bed and breakfast is on 12 acres, but it seems to stretch for miles. The hotel is also pet friendly. I brought Ruby, who loved running around the country grounds. Since we checked in in March, the outdoor pool (on the left side of the wooden fence) was closed. If you want to use the pool, make sure you book a room in the warmer months.
The main lounge (where we checked in) is cozy and spacious and artfully furnished. I loved the mismatched furniture and colorful rugs, as well as the stone wall and hardwood floor.
Adjacent to the main lounge is The Clubhouse Restaurant and bar, which has been a magnet for locals, second homeowners, and of course, guests of the hotel. It doesn’t quite feel like a hotel, so expect more bed-and-breakfast vibes. You’ll likely chat up other guests.
The Clubhouse Restaurant sits 30+ people. In the mornings, it’s flooded with sunlight (the restaurant only serves breakfast and dinner). It’s extremely cozy and feels along the lines of a luxury hotel rather than a B&B.
Guests have complimentary breakfast included in their stay (between 8 am and 10 am). The breakfast spread includes fresh breads, pastries, fruit and homemade jams, as well as fresh brewed coffee and gourmet tea. The Catskills is known for its many farms, so you can expect fresh produce and ingredients in your meals.
You can also make breakfast requests. I had sausage and a frittata, which were excellent.
In the warmer months, you can sit outside in the outdoor terrace, listen to the birds, smell that crisp mountain air.
There are 15 rooms, all uniquely designed and ranging in various sizes, from standard queen rooms to a master suite. We checked into the the 500-square-foot Shandaken King Suite, one of few rooms with a private exterior entrance (with Ruby, it’s always convenient to have a ground floor entrance to go in and out). The suite was comfortably sized, with a flat-screen TV, fireplace, sitting area with sleeper sofa and large windows for natural light.
The Shandaken King Suite has a four-post bed and a small desk area. There’s free, fast WIFI. In the middle of nowhere, it was incredibly quiet at night.
The bathroom is beautifully designed with a rain shower, windows (I’m a fan of windows in a bathroom) and Malin & Goetz toiletries.
The Shandaken King Suite is part of an extension of the main building, next to one other suite. These two suites are further removed from the other rooms. There are rocking chairs outside a small, covered patio that faces the parking lot.
I was surprised the inn had a fitness room, since it’s not common at smaller properties in the Catskills. It’s a nice treat for those who want to get in a workout, whether on the Peloton bikes or treadmills. There are also free weights. The fitness room faces the pool and tennis courts.
Like most luxury Catskills properties, there’s an outdoor fire pit for an after hours drink. With the inn being so removed, the night sky is clear for stargazing.
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Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.