There are two things you’re surrounded by during a stay at the lovely new Catskills resort Callicoon Hills. The first, not surprisingly, is hills. That may sound flippant, but it’s actually a huge draw. While you can sometimes lose track of your surroundings at woodsy retreats within driving distance of the city, the natural landscape here rises around you like a leafy embrace. The views are gorgeous. The second thing is history. The resort was founded in 1905 and that lived-in sense of the region’s past contextualizes your stay, grounding the more modern design elements in a cheerful shared history of leisurely escape.
The current team behind Callicoon Hills is only the third owner in the property’s 116-year history. The new revival, which opened earlier this year, brings the idea of a Catskills resort into the 21st century. Across 65 guestrooms, a chic 4,000-square-foot barn, an onsite coffee shop and a cozy restaurant, subtle design touches create a spirit of friendly minimalism while honoring historic details. Rough, warm woods can be found next to sleek black light fixtures. The almost whimsically peaked main building is painted a cool, contemporary grey. Sleek fire pits are surrounded by guests wrapped in vintage blankets. (Yes, there are also nightly s’mores.)
In the warmer months, an appealing amenity is the king-sized outdoor pool, one of the largest at any resorts in the region. You could spend an entire day at the swimming area which is something you very well might do as there aren’t a ton of super close attractions. A couple that are worth your time just a short drive away are Kenoza Hall, with an excellent on-site restaurant and spa, and Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery which offers both breathtakingly good ciders and views. Of course, there’s also plenty of nearby hiking and fly fishing spots and the bustling little river town of Narrowsburg is a great idea for a day trip.
For those looking to settle into a resort for the weekend surrounded by nature, however, the onsite food and beverage options are luckily good enough that you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to. Conovor Club is the resort’s main restaurant and serves well-executed American comfort food. The vibe feels elevated but not pretentious and the bar is turning out some truly excellent cocktails, including some delicious bottle-aged drinks. Two great options off the menu, which is locally sourced enough to start with a full page running down their various Catskills purveyors, are the Steak Frites (very memorable frites) and the Fried Chicken sandwich (with a surprising addition of apple!)
Another great perk of Callicoon Hills’ relatively isolated location is that it's very easy to meet new people in the common areas if you so desire, especially at the outdoor fire pits and communal tables in the center of the property. That outdoor gathering area is conveniently located between the ridge cabins, pool house and main house. If you just want to be alone? Just go for a walk in the woods, you can’t miss it.
