Why The Wylder Windham Hotel Should Be On Your Upstate New York Bucket List
The unique amenities of this rustic-meets-refined mountain getaway include vintage Land Rover shuttles and an outdoor barrel sauna.
The next time you feel the urge to get away, the solution is sometimes as simple as looking north. In the at-times quiet, at-times lively mountain town of Windham, you’ll find everything you need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life at the Wylder Windham.
As Maxim found out during an exclusive visit on a frigid February weekend, there’s nothing quite like a restful, rejuvenating trek upstate, and it helps if the accommodations are the perfect blend of rustic and refined luxury.
A fairly quick jaunt via train or car from New York City along the Hudson River, the lodge manages to encapsulate more than 140 years of history in a compound featuring seven different distinctive lodging options (including a farmhouse, a historic inn and a manor).
The property itself served the surrounding area since 1880 before Wylder acquired, revamped and rebooted the lodge, which celebrated its grand (re)opening last fall.
The rolling hills and the nearby Windham Mountain provide a suitably epic, at-times breathtaking setting for the well-appointed Wylder Windham, which boasts 110 handsome, cozy rooms.
The lovely area–including nearby nature walk Windham Path–was covered in a frosty coating of snow during our February visit, yet would appear absolutely breathtaking at the height of leaf-peeping season.
The nearby town of Windham boasts a mix of quaint shops, farm-to-table restaurants and a down-home feel not often found in New York City or another bustling metropolis, and the Wylder Windham retains that same charm throughout the property.
Perhaps the real appeal of the Wylder Windham is your ability to customize your trip in a rather eye-popping number of ways.
Start planning your visit now, because it would appear that late winter and early spring lodging is filling up quickly. Rates start at $350/night, with a number of room sizes available.
Accommodations are designated with apt monikers like “Cozy” and “Charming,” boasting touches like wide plank oak floors, private balconies in some cases and wonderful streamside and Windham Mountain views.
The resort offers free transportation to the nearby Windham Mountain in a vintage Land Rover Defender 110 Shuttle, while the 1.5-mile Windham Path gives nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts the option to undertake a moderate walk through rolling fields.
Yet, those who prefer a touch more relaxation are sure to love the vintage game room, which boasts everything from ping-pong to foosball to ring toss and throwback arcade games (it proved the perfect respite from a chilly winter day).
In warmer climes, the outdoor lawn boasts pickleball courts, tree swings, hammocks, a heated outdoor pool and fire pits–to name but a few amenities offering tried-and-true fun for the entire family.
Private event space is also readily at hand, and it’s hard to imagine a more appealing upstate getaway to tie the knot or celebrate a special occasion.
A barrel sauna even offers a touch of rustic outdoor relaxation, another added bonus of escaping into the wilderness north of New York City.
The property’s A-to-Z approach is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that you can start your day with a fresh cup of coffee at in the quaint cafe at Babblers, the on-site bakery and restaurant, before returning later that night for a decadent dinner.
Crisp local beers and sumptuous, timeless cocktails like an Old Fashioned are in plentiful supply at Babblers, while decadent takes on the classics (like expertly executed steak frites) dot the menu.
A hearty meal provided the ideal antidote to a windswept weekend, but one gets the impression that Babblers delivers fresh, local fare any time of year. Take note: The Bourbon Pecan Pie makes for the perfect pairing with a classic bourbon from the restaurant’s carefully curated selection.
Not far down the street from the Wylder Windham is another excellent example of the charm of the town itself, the hotel, bar and restaurant Union + Post. It’s a modern blend of rugged charm serving up rich comfort food.
At times though, it’s best to remember the Wylder Windham is a self-contained slice of historic luxury, with just about everything one might need to enjoy a weekend upstate, away from the daily grind.
Competition for your hard-earned time and money might be stiff among the latest crop of modern Catskills getaways, but the history and heritage of Wylder Windham–buoyed by stunning modern amenities–sure is hard to beat.
It could just be your new favorite upstate getaway, and that’s certainly saying plenty.