T+L’s Hotel Review of Cedar Lake Estate in New York’s Hudson Valley

It was someday between the nonetheless, early morning hours of seven and eight a.m., my ears attuned to the snap, crackle, pop of a campfire, that my emotional muscle reminiscence kicked in. My summer-camp years had been behind me, a distant previous that lived solely in tales that started with “bear in mind when,” however in that second, the ineffable consolation of nostalgia crept in. I used to be immediately again in a time and place when free-flowing dialog round glowing embers was a well-known mixture.

My husband and I had arrived at Cedar Lakes Property, a 500-acre woodsy retreat within the Hudson Valley, the night time earlier than. Lower than two hours from New York Metropolis, the transition from tall buildings to tall bushes occurred rapidly. As we neared the property, the highway deviated right into a path of twinkling lights, cozy cottages, and a tranquil lake that signaled play, even in winter. “Image probably the most stunning bucolic summer time camp. Now, think about it went to culinary college, received a grasp’s diploma, and the property and cottages [on the grounds] had been polished up simply sufficient to be luxurious and chic, with out shedding their nostalgic spirit,” mentioned Lisa Karvellas, who owns the property—named the best hotel in New York state in Journey + Leisure‘s 2024 World’s Greatest Awards—along with her sister, Stephanie.

Cedar Lakes Estate has summer time camp in its DNA: The property served as a youth camp within the Twenties, after which later because the Staff USA Sports activities Camp, internet hosting Olympic athletes for almost 15 years. In the present day, it’s firstly an idyllic wedding ceremony venue within the spring, summer time, and fall, counting Zosia Mamet and Josh Radnor as celebs who’ve tied the knot right here. For these with no coveted wedding ceremony invite, nevertheless, Cedar Lakes Property opens as a resort within the winter (typically, December till late April). “We realized our friends solely had the chance to expertise Cedar Lakes Property in the event that they occur to be invited to a marriage,” mentioned Lisa. “We needed to present everybody a possibility to return get pleasure from our great property, cottages, culinary program, and repair.” Fortunate me.

“We hope friends go away feeling a robust sense of consolation, residence, heat, and belonging,” she continues. “We hope they go away figuring out they will come again and be handled like household. And after they do return, we hope they really feel that completely satisfied nostalgia that comes with a treasured reminiscence.”

On our closing morning, as we started our drive residence, I couldn’t assist however begin scrolling via photographs of our weekend at Cedar Lakes Property. I’d do the identical a number of months later, on a secular commute to work, and once more when the climate turned chilly the next winter. Every time, I felt a pull to return to camp—this time the type that serves cocktails in a transparent igloo atop a mountain.

The Rooms

Cedar Lakes Property’s cluster of cabins and cottages—36 whole—has summer time camp written throughout it, however step inside and also you’ll be reminded you’re a grown-up with grown-up tastes. After a day within the chilly, I got here to understand the wood-burning hearth, spacious rest room with Italian marble, and plush mattress I melted into each night time in my Poolside Cottage. Lodging vary from the two-person Sleepy Pine Cottages to the two-story, four-bedroom Farmhouse Essential Home with floor-to-ceiling home windows peering over the misty lake. The Subject Home has lofted queen-size beds plus a separate bed room; and the Bluebird Cottage comes with a hearth soaking tub and heated stone flooring.

Actions and Facilities

I used to be many years faraway from any summer-camp stint, however that very same keen, first-day feeling set in as we checked in—although “orientation” right here was decidedly grownup, commencing with a welcome glass of prosecco and a rundown of the grounds from a staffer with the enthusiastic vitality of a camp counselor.

The remainder of our keep right here felt equal elements sentimental and complex—pie-making periods got here with arduous cider tastings; a spirited host recited dad jokes alongside chocolate and whiskey pairings; and film nights within the barn had been fueled by classic sweet and cocktails. However that is camp in spite of everything, and that meant getting outside, regardless of the chilly temps. Actions embrace snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, curling, snowmobiling, and even ice fishing (climate allowing), some for an added “layer-on” price. My husband and I joined a guided hike via the woods to discover ways to construct a campfire utilizing nothing however flint and metal. Although it was solely a 30-minute jaunt via the frost-covered leaves, it felt good to be in nature, looking for the best rock, ready with childlike surprise as we took turns placing it towards the metal, and cheering upon seeing the primary spark—pure, uncomplicated enjoyable.

Once we weren’t outdoors, days unfurled like one lengthy playdate. We explored each inch of this utopia as if we had been youngsters, enjoying old-school Nintendo video games and filling up on complimentary ‘90s-themed snacks within the Treehouse Lounge, and sitting by the communal outside firepits lengthy sufficient for the scent of smoke to linger in our hair. Over a sport of Scrabble within the Treehouse Lounge, we struck up a dialog with one couple, who instructed us this was their third yr visiting. They’d discovered Cedar Lakes Property in 2021, a refuge throughout the peak of COVID-19, and determined a winter go to would develop into an annual custom.

We knew this, identical to camp, was transient. We’d ultimately need to return residence and resume our grown-up lives. However for now, the night referred to as for summiting (OK, by golf cart) a mountain, the place a fairy-tale igloo full of make-your-own cocktails, blankets, and a platter of recent greens and dips had been to maintain us firm as we watched the solar dip beneath the mountains. As we stepped into our cozy cocoon, my husband first tinkered with the iPad to regulate the playlist, then beelined to the bar cart to peruse the number of gins, olives, and different accoutrements unnoticed for concocting his ideally suited martini. The employees had additionally ready a build-your-own sizzling chocolate package, full with a blowtorch for toasting the pillowy marshmallows—proof the Karvellas sisters have considered the whole lot.

Outside yoga periods, polar plunges within the lake, guided excursions to be taught in regards to the native wildlife, and a St. Moritz-inspired après bash with caviar bumps and DJs have all been on the itinerary prior to now, although winter actions do rotate to maintain issues recent.

Meals and Drink

Meals listed below are a particular affair, too. That is the place the property’s foremost persona as a marriage venue actually shines: Candlelit dinners within the Pavilion—rustic but romantic with an outsized hearth as its centerpiece—really feel choreographed, in that tables are served course after course at roughly the identical time. The menu leans native and modifications with the seasons—my winter go to introduced a velvety potato and leek soup with smoked trout and crème fraîche; braised beef brief rib tucked alongside mascarpone polenta and child carrots; and a darkish chocolate brownie sundae drizzled with bourbon caramel and candied pecans. The entire night felt like a celebration, even concluding with a DJ spinning tunes and inspiring friends to get off their seats and hit the dance ground.

Nonetheless, my favourite meal was the personal dinner held within the clear-domed, heated igloo on the lakeside deck beneath twinkling lights. Overlooking the snow-globe of a panorama outdoors, my husband and I tucked right into a deeply comforting five-course extravaganza: roasted rainbow beets with toasted festa and puffed quinoa; smoked ricotta ravioli with truffle cream and oyster mushrooms; pan seared salmon with crispy potatoes and a caper chimichurri; orange Campari sorbet; and a pear cranberry upside-down cake with whipped mascarpone.

Mornings are equally indulgent, with a to-die-for cinnamon bun or a basket of heat pastries and low delivered to your door, although lighter choices—eggs, yogurt with do-it-yourself granola, fresh-pressed juices—can be found on the Pavilion for a sit-down breakfast.

Location

Cedar Lakes property payments itself as “an hour and a half and a world away.” Certainly, the canvas of Shawangunk Mountains, nonetheless lakes, and serene forests is fast to make you neglect this upstate gem, within the coronary heart of New York’s Hudson Valley in Port Jervis, is simply 70 miles, or roughly 90 minutes by automobile, from the big-city noise. You possibly can drive or take the Metro-North or New Jersey Transit from NYC’s Penn Station to Port Jervis Station, a 15-minute Uber journey from the resort. These with their very own automobile will discover it simpler to discover the encircling space, which incorporates close by Excessive Level State Park, residence to stunning climbing trails, and Storm King Artwork Middle. Although, with a lot on supply on the property, you’ll have little motive (or want) to go away.

Household-friendly Facilities

Though I solely noticed {couples} throughout my winter keep at Cedar Lakes Property, there are many causes to convey the entire household alongside. Not solely are the lodging—some multibedroom with massive dwelling areas and full kitchens—ideally suited for multigenerational teams, however the actions, each indoor (drive-in motion pictures, sport nights, picnic lunches within the Pavilion) and outside (ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling) will get the entire brood bonding with none digital distractions.

And once more, whereas the property modifications up its choices every season, earlier years have introduced a Little Campers’ Nook, with area for teenagers to craft, plus themed, kid-friendly “kits,” with all of the objects wanted for a plotting a scavenger hunt, adorning cookies, constructing snowmen, and stringing friendship bracelets. Additionally on the agenda: a Snow Paint Celebration, the place little ones use eco-friendly paints to create a colourful masterpiece on the snow.

Accessibility and Sustainability

“Sustainability on the coronary heart of the whole lot we do at Cedar Lakes Property,” says Lisa. That features offering refillable water bottles for friends, with water stations all through the grounds; lowering vitality consumption by utilizing geothermal know-how in some buildings; rising seasonal produce within the backyard and sourcing the remainder from close by farms and purveyors to make sure meals are as recent and native as attainable; and composting on-site to restrict waste. Plus, by the tip of 2025, about 65 % of the property’s vitality wants might be fueled by solar energy, in response to Lisa.

Contemplating Cedar Lakes Property was initially constructed within the Twenties, it’s necessary to notice some, however not all, areas are geared up for wheelchairs. There’s a wheelchair-accessible entrance and path, plus handicap parking on-site for all friends. There are additionally 5 ADA-friendly lodging, and all public and shared areas, together with the restored barn, are wheelchair accessible.

Easy methods to Get the Most Out of Your Keep

Cedar Lakes Property is just not an all-inclusive, however all meals, together with breakfast, dinner, and afternoon snacks, are included within the fee, as are many actions, with some layer-on options for an added price; personal igloo dinners are a further price as properly. As a resort solely within the winter months, Cedar Lakes Property is just not a part of any loyalty applications. Cottages begin at $375/night time; cabins begin at $225/night time. 

Each T+L resort overview is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.