You’ve likely daydreamed about running away to the Catskills for a soul-resetting, romantic trip at some point in your life. You know the fantasy—just you and your person, cozied up by a fire, sipping local wine, surrounded by trees instead of traffic. Those fantasies don’t always hold up once you arrive: the linens are scratchy; the design is more Pinterest circa 2016 than actual aesthetic; the so-called rustic charm feels more like a drafty cabin. Then you stumble upon The Woodhouse Lodge in Greenville, New York and the dream becomes reality and you are smitten from the moment you check in.
Why stay at The Woodhouse Lodge?
It’s not just that it’s charming (though it is), or that the main lobby and rooms are styled to perfection with soulful, European-meets-upstate-bohemian vibes (also true). It’s that the whole experience feels like staying in an extension of someone’s dream home, which is not far off from how the story of The Woodhouse Lodge began.
When artists-turned-hoteliers Megan Pflug and J. Penry first came across the property—the former 1962 motor lodge called Birmann’s Rainbow Lodge—they were looking for an old Hudson Valley farmhouse and a place to set their upstate business plans in motion. ‘As any vintage hunter will tell you, buy it when you see it because true gems like this don’t last long,’ Pflug says. So they did. And with every guest that wanders in, the place continues to evolve—lovingly restored, full of character and layered with stories.
The restored A-frame exterior still nods to its roots, but step inside and you’re met with an escape that feels like an upstate magazine spread. Think vintage, check-print lawn chairs, textured pillows and rugs, natural light and rooms designed with intention. It’s woodsy and modern yet warm with French influences peppered throughout but it’s still distinctly Catskills.
The grounds of the hotel are breathtaking, perfect for a fall or summer wedding. There’s a willow tree at the edge of the property that feels like it was grown for lovers to exchange vows. String lights, black spruces and that lush Catskills backdrop create the kind of setting that makes you believe in magic, or at the very least, the promise of something good.
What are the rooms like at The Woodhouse Lodge?
Every detail has been curated with care. The beds are dressed in premium Brooklinen linens and they’re soft enough to make you cancel your dinner plans and stay in. Bathrooms are stocked with deluxe products and complimentary Ursa Major face wipes, which any clean beauty enthusiast will clock instantly. You’ll also find all the essentials in every room: WiFi, a refrigerator, kettle and ice bucket and a hair dryer. No fluff and no TV, just thoughtful simplicity and empowerment to maybe read a book for once.
With a modest number of rooms, the hotel feels intimate but social as you can easily mingle with other guests around the fire pit. ‘We’re a unique size,’ Pflug said. ‘We offer a boutique summer camp experience for adults without all the noise.’ Whether you’re escaping solo, arriving with your partner or booking out the property for a wedding or reunion, it never feels crowded. It’s cozy and picturesque with the exciting promise of potentially meeting someone new.
What is the food like at The Woodhouse Lodge?
Woodhouse Pizza, the on-site restaurant located in a separate tavern across from the property, is more than a convenient amenity. It’s a culinary experience that matches the mood of the hotel: laid-back yet elevated, creative and deeply satisfying. The woodfired pies range from nostalgic to unexpected. There’s a solid classic pepperoni, but it’s the Confetti (mozzarella, ricotta, spicy giardiniera and caper salsa verde) that steals the show. Round it out with antipasti like the gigante white beans with Calabrian chiles (gluten-free) and the crisp chicory salad (with fennel, celery, radicchio, orange and olives) and you’ve got a meal as impressive as any night out in the city, except you’re fireside in the woods.
The cocktails are simple, well-crafted and smart. The Black Manhattan, made with Taconic Founders Rye, Amaro Montenegro and aromatic bitters, warms you from the inside out. If you’re feeling witchy, the Witch and Famous (with Xicaru mezcal, Carpano botanic bitter, Strega and lime) is the kind of drink that you didn’t realize you were craving.
What’s the service like at The Woodhouse Lodge?
The staff embodies the kind of small-town charm that feels effortless and genuine. They’re never overbearing, but always ready with thoughtful recommendations for nearby adventures or to help you pick up a few on-site essentials—think dry shampoo, snacks, soft drinks, and, most importantly, a glass of natural wine. Need something? Just shoot them a text, and they’ll make it happen.
And yes, there’s room service. Breakfast can be delivered straight to your door. Beer, wine and cocktails can be brought fireside. (The firepit is always burning from the start of the day until bedtime—like incense—making the air smell nostalgic and amazing every time you step outside.) It’s the kind of hospitality you didn’t know you needed until you’re wrapped in a wool blanket with a drink in one hand and a slice in the other.
What’s the area like around The Woodhouse Lodge?
If you’re in the mood for a meal offsite, head to The Tasting Lab, just under ten minutes away. You can build your own burger, dip into garlic parmesan wings that taste like they were flown in from Buffalo and choose from a massive draft list so long it requires a QR code to read. For breakfast or a sweet treat, don’t skip Gracie’s Luncheonette nearby in Leeds, NY. While the chicken biscuit with honey butter and hot sauce is solid, the real stars are the donuts. Try the Maple Bar or Passion Fruit with Cocoa Nibs, and pair one with a classic egg cream and consider your day made.
Why you should book at stay at The Woodhouse Lodge
While there are plenty of natural wonders and hiking trails to experience amid charming antique shops and farm-to-table restaurants, you may find it hard to tear yourself away from The Woodhouse Lodge, period. Pflug says they hope guests really ‘feel like they had a chance to truly unwind and reset. That they indulged in a good meal, connected with other people IRL, and maybe enjoyed a couple of glasses of nice wine in the process,’ and they’ve succeeded here.
DETAILS
Address: 3807 County Route 26, Greenville, NY
Price per night: Rates for the King/Queen Double Rooms start at $225–$250 on weekdays and $300–$375 on weekends. The Suite (sleeps six) goes for $500 during the week and $550 on weekends. There’s a two-night minimum, but you’ll wish you booked three.
Closest transport: Hudson, NY train station is a 35-minute drive from the property. While taxi service as well as Uber and Lyft are available, we’d recommend driving for ease.
Book now: via the website