Among the eclectic Gothic, Second Empire, Colonial Revival, and Modernist eye candy that dots the 1,000-acre campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, the smoky brick and sleek glass of The Heartwood at Vassar stands out.
Located at the southern edge of the campus, along College and Raymond avenues, the new 50-room boutique hotel was built with vintage-inspired style, an eye-popping original art collection, and a slew of sustainability measures. Inside, the cozy community atmosphere of the hotel and its farm-to-table restaurant, the Salt Line, feel very much a part of the small college that has been nurturing curious minds for 164 years.
Why stay at The Heartwood at Vassar?
The Heartwood might have a 160-plus-piece alumni-created art collection drawn from Vassar’s acclaimed Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, and a chic midcentury aesthetic of clean lines and saturated hues, but it still feels relaxed and homey. The abundance of natural wood pays homage to the more than 230 species of elms, maples, beeches, hemlocks, and other trees that comprise the campus arboretum, and as Vassar’s first net-zero-emissions building, The Heartwood features state-of-the-art technology for heating, cooking, and air conditioning. Oh, and its second-floor windows have etched patterns that prevent bird collisions.
The Heartwood’s restaurant and bar is open daily for dinner and breakfast; the latter is complimentary for hotel guests. The food menu highlights local products in international recipes, while the cocktail and wine lists feature beverages from around the world. Beyond its creature comforts, The Heartwood serves as a gateway both to the campus and to explorations around the mid-Hudson Valley.
What are the rooms like at The Heartwood at Vassar?
At 388 square feet, standard double queen, king, and accessible rooms are spacious and comfortable, and have full bathrooms with Debaser amenities. All have flat-screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, a mini fridge, and an Illy espresso maker. On the work desk, look for a souvenir notepad styled to look like an old-school composition book. The 726-square-foot suites, which sleep up to four, have a king bedroom, seating area with pull-out sofa, kitchenette, half bath, and full bath with a soaking tub.
I stayed in a first-floor corner standard king, and while the HVAC system was a bit noisy and the controls touchy, requiring some fiddling to reach a Goldilocks-approved, not-too-hot, not-too-cold sleeping temperature, the soundproofing against external noise was on par with a magic trick.
The Heartwood’s décor style could best be described as approachable midcentury, with ivory walls, wood tones that range from blonde to walnut, and shapely furniture and accessories in rich jewel tones and scaled-down geometric patterns. If this seems tastefully sedate, it’s all the better for showcasing the paintings, drawings, and photography, which range from elegant to avant-garde.
What is the food like at The Heartwood at Vassar?
The Salt Line restaurant and its bar provide daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, plus Saturday and Sunday brunch. They don’t offer room service here, but you can request a takeaway box for your room. The private dining room accommodates up to 14.
California-born, New York City‒trained Chef John Bush has created an elevated but never snooty menu rooted in American ingredients and borrowing from global flavors and culinary traditions. Highlights from my dinner included house-made bucatini smothered in a creamy crab-and-corn sauce, and a pan-seared branzino fillet served with gigante beans, cherry tomato confit, and salsa verde. I’m married to a Spaniard and was skeptical of the patatas bravas, but Chef Bush eschews a literal recreation of the Madrileño comfort tapa for crispy smashed potatoes, black garlic aioli, and tangy sauce.
If you need a snack fix outside of the Salt Line’s operating hours, head just a couple blocks up Raymond Avenue. There you’ll find Bagel World, and Jamaican food at Yanweh Cafe and Grill,, Italian at Savona’s Trattoria, Thai at Thai Spice.
What is the service like at The Heartwood at Vassar?
Service is uniformly warm and friendly. The team here are quick to make recommendations of things to do and see, or share their favorite corners of the Vassar campus. I had to leave extra-early in the morning, and the kitchen staff graciously put together a small breakfast I could take in the car.
What are the gym and facilities like at The Heartwood at Vassar?
Early birds and night owls alike will appreciate the small but well-equipped fitness center, which is open daily from 6am until 11pm, and has treadmills, elliptical machines, a stationary bike, and multifunction equipment, plus free weights and benches.
However, the Heartwood’s art collection is undeniably its most unique feature. Look for the first-floor installation of two nearly floor-to-ceiling wood-and-glass cabinets filled with art, artifacts, and vintage newspaper clippings, photos, and other objects from Vassar’s archives. The hotel’s two ‘snugs’,’ community spaces decorated in bright colors and whimsical artwork, are inviting spots for tapping out a novel, getting lost in a good book, or sharing coffee and conversation. Or enjoy a breath of fresh air on the sunny second-floor ‘bridge’, which has cushioned wicker furniture. The Heartwood’s three high-tech conference spaces are flexible for meetings, workshops, and lectures. The hotel also even has a dedicated pre-function cocktail space.
What’s the area like around The Heartwood at Vassar?
Vassar’s corner of the mid‒Hudson Valley is quintessentially collegiate, with picturesque architecture, sprawling green spaces, and a low-key, sociable atmosphere. The campus’s Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, which holds 22,000 items, is free to visit Tuesday through Sunday.
Adjacent Raymond Avenue has a sweet little commercial district. Stop at coffee and tea house The Crafted Kup, Nolita Boutique for trendy women’s clothing and accessories, secondhand ‘thriftique’ Heart & HOAM, and Fikka & Hygge, which sells pick-a-mix Scandinavian candies like pearl sugar‒topped gummies and salted black licorice.
You’ll need to rent a car, hail an Uber or Lyft, or take a public bus to access the city’s marquee attractions. These include the Bardavon, an 1869-built concert hall and theater, the grand home and library of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the historic Italianate mansion and nature preserve at Locust Grove. You could also cycle or stroll the Walkway Over the Hudson, a former railroad crossing repurposed into a 1.5-mile pedestrian bridge with 360-degree views of the Hudson River.
Why you should book a stay at The Heartwood at Vassar
The Heartwood is aimed squarely at the guest who loves a private, small-town feel, as well as couples and solo travelers who want to be close to the action but not right in the middle of it, and families whose kids are old enough to amuse themselves without constant external entertainment. Special packages are available for travelers with dogs in tow and for romantic celebrations, and New York State residents receive 10 percent off the best available rate at any time of year.
The best times to visit the region are late spring through late fall; mid-October is typically peak leaf-peeping season. Avoid weekends when there are special events at Vassar, like graduation or family weekend; prices are at their highest, and available rooms are quickly snapped up by students’ families.
DETAILS
Address: 165 College Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Price per night: Starting at $169 per night for standard rooms and $269 per night for suites
Closest transport: Trains from both Amtrak and the Metro-North Transit Authority’s Hudson Line stop at Poughkeepsie Station, about 3 miles from The Heartwood. The closest commercial airport, offering limited service, is New York Stewart International, a 45-minute drive from the hotel.
Book now: via Booking.com
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