Grove Lodge

by Patti Guthrie

Calling all Bucks County winter aficionados! You now have a new place to indulge your love of every aspect of this frozen season: Grove Lodge in New Paltz, New York, nestled in the Catskill Mountains, which officially opened in September. And, although it is new, the lodge is located on the 1,200-acre Mohonk Mountain House property. That legendary resort, owned by the Smiley family, has been in continuous operation for 147 years. Grove Lodge is their first new accommodations in more than 100 years. 

Vice President and General Manager of Mohonk Mountain House, Eric Gullickson said, “Grove Lodge perfectly exemplifies the Smiley family’s commitment to conserving the unique natural environment along the Shawangunk Ridge and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. Its secluded location is surrounded by ferns within a mature oak glen, yet is only a five-minute walk from our historic mountain house, which offers families an ideal home away from home that truly reflects the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley.”

Grove Lodge was designed and constructed by award-winning architect Andrew J. Allison. “It incorporates the highest level of sustainable technologies and materials to reflect the resorts’ 

tremendous respect for the land upon which it was built,” according to Gullickson. The lodge is a two-story, 7,000-square-foot structure made of native stones, reclaimed wood, natural finishes and sustainable materials throughout. It has LED lighting and a geo-thermal heating and cooling system. It’s situated alongside a small brook, which adds to its immense charm.   

The lodge features six, 700-square-foot suites, four with two queen-size beds, two with two kings. The furnishings are comfortable but not fussy, functional and somewhat rustic, as you would expect in such a building. Each suite has a private entrance, parking for one vehicle, a natural stone gas fireplace with a comfortable seating area, hand-crafted wood furniture made by local artisans and, “A luxurious bathroom complete with a soaking tub and separate shower.” In addition, every suite has a desk, a coffee maker that’s restocked daily and includes stoneware mugs, a refrigerator, an ice maker, high speed wireless Internet and a flat screen TV with cable, robes and slippers, Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses with Frette linens, umbrellas, a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board, an alarm clock, a telephone with voice mail, an in-room safe, a private balcony or stone patio with rustic rocking chairs and their signature bathroom amenities from Gilchrist & Soames.

Guests can book a single suite or rent the whole building for a family gathering or group retreat. The rates include all meals and most resort activities. Reserving the entire lodge entitles guests to use the spacious Great Room with its cathedral ceilings, exposed wood beams, wall of windows, natural hardwood floors, 15-foot-tall stone fireplace, 55-inch flat screen television, comfortable seating throughout and private stone patio. The center of this sprawling space features a live-edge table crafted by local artisan Robert Dellay. The walls showcase the artwork of the very active Hudson Valley artist community.

According to their brochure, “In order to introduce guests to the rich heritage and culinary traditions of the Hudson Valley, Grove Lodge welcomes visitors with a variety of locally sourced amenities including chocolates from Hudson Valley Chocolates, a selection of locally brewed beers and spirits from Catskill Distilling Company and Tuthilltown Spirits and a selection of wines from Benmarl/Fjord Vineyards, Brotherhood, Clinton Vineyards, Millbrook and Whitecliff Vineyards.”

Winter activities abound, as you can imagine. Among the more popular is ice skating on Mohonk Mountain House’s award-winning rink, located in the Pavilion, with skates provided to guests at no charge. Another popular activity is cross country skiing. Enthusiasts can travel over 30 miles of groomed trails, “With sweeping views of the Catskills.” Again, skis are provided to guests at no charge. Snowshoeing devotees can explore areas that cannot be reached on skis. If you happen to be a golfer as well, you can use snowshoes to play “disc golf”. They also offer snow tubing, saying, “It’s fun for the whole family. Take snow tubes out to the golf course for a thrilling ride,” adding, “Shuttles run from the mountain house to the tubing hill when the weather is perfect fur tubing.”

When it’s snowing, there are many indoor activities for guests, for instance board games, billiards, air hockey or just relaxing in front of a cozy fire, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. Their award-winning spa also offers a heated indoor pool, plus a solarium and a comprehensive fitness center. In addition, during the winter season, the resort is bedecked throughout with lights, wreathes, garlands and gingerbread houses.

There are special activities scheduled throughout the winter, along with Winter Theme Programs on various weekends such as Couples’ Romantic Get-Away, Jazz on the Mountain, Winter Yoga and Holiday Family Fun. For this last one, plus a few of the others, children stay and eat for free. 

While staying at Grove Lodge, you’re entitled to three meals a day, plus afternoon tea and cookies, all served in the main dining room of the mountain house. Most non-alcoholic beverages also are included. Breakfast and lunch are offered as buffets, while dinner is a traditional three-course, sit-down meal. The food, much of it locally sourced, is prepared by their, “Expert culinary team led by Executive Chef James Palmeri.” The Carriage Lounge is an alternate venue for meals, described as, “A cozy place to relax and enjoy light fare such as sandwiches, salads and soups accompanied by beer, wine and hand-crafted cocktails.”

Along with Grove Lodge, Mohonk Mountain House has 259 guest rooms and suites, plus 5 cottages. Located 90 miles north of New York City, it’s a National Historic Landmark resort and a member of Historic Hotels of America.

It was founded in 1869 by Albert Smiley and has provided guests with, “Recreation and renewal of body, mind and spirit in a beautiful natural setting” ever since. The present Victorian castle resort sitting atop the mountain grew out of a 10-room inn called Stokes Tavern that Smiley initially purchased, along with 280 surrounding acres. In the ensuing 147 years, it has expanded into the grand resort it is today, able to accommodate 600 guests. 

The current president is Albert K. Smiley and the Vice President and Director of Properties, Tom Smiley. In 2005, they opened their 30,000-square-foot spa wing that has been recognized as “One of the Top Three Hotel Spas” in Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. It’s heated and cooled by a geothermal system and features a green roof, along with both indoor and outdoor heated pools, 16 treatment rooms, a yoga/motion studio and the aforementioned solarium and fitness center. 

Over the years, this resort has garnered numerous awards and honors such as being included on Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List and being named the Number One resort spa in the U.S. in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Also, Travel + Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best Awards highlighted Mohonk Mountain House as a Top 100 Hotel in the World, Best U.S. Resort and Best for Family Travel.

In addition, the many activities they provide for children and teens, along with their “Kids’ Club”, has been praised by Travel & Leisure as one of the Best Hotel Kids’ Programs nationally. And, USA Today recognized them as one of the Ten Best Family Resorts. 

If you’re thinking about a winter vacation, why not plan a visit to this outstanding Hudson Valley winter resort? The glacially carved Lake Mohonk freezes over. The trees are covered in a gentle blanket of snow, while the woods take on a serene silence. You can spend your days exploring these spectacular natural acres, then warm up with complimentary afternoon tea and cookies in front of a fire.  Doesn’t that sound like a magical winter wonderland?

For more information about this new winter vacation destination for your whole family, visit their website at www.mohonk.com where you can see photos of Grove Lodge, as well as a comprehensive description of all of their programs, events and activities. If you want additional information, call the Mohonk Mountain House at 855-274-4020.

Patti Guthrie is a freelance writer and antiques dealer from Chalfont, PA.