115 miles from NYC, find the Catskills’ newest, most rejuvenating escape: Hemlock Neversink.
Since its opening in late 2023, Hemlock Neversink has quickly become one of the best wellness getaways in the Catskills. On arrival, guests check in at the lobby, where the first order of business is a quick rundown of the grounds and the calendar. During a trip, you can stay as busy (or not) as you like: a dedicated Experience Guide can help guide your time, planning activities like hikes, yoga, meditation, creative workshops, culinary classes and more.
Speaking of culinary, outstanding meals are served at on-site restaurant Bittersweet Restaurant three times a day. Guests should opt in for Hemlock’s all-inclusive package; the hotel’s location is pretty far off the beaten path, and the nearest restaurants would rob you of precious time at the spa. Instead, opt in for the meal package and enjoy a plant-forward menu (mostly vegetarian, with some meat options) that changes daily. (Of note: you can find snacks almost anytime in the dining room, as well.)
Despite an active programming calendar, most guests spend their days at the Hemlock Neversink Spa. The expansive building includes 12 treatment rooms, a meadow-view gym, heated indoor pool and hot tub, sauna, steam room, sun deck and relaxation room. Steps from there, the nearby Movement Building hosts yoga and other restorative practices inside a sunny, wood-clad space. Finally, beyond all its buildings, Hemlock Neversink’s 230 acre campus features outdoor-focused wellness opportunities including a sunbathing/stargazing deck, tennis courts, and private trails that range from leisurely strolls to moderate hikes.
Below, find more details about Hemlock Neversink – plus recommendations for nearby attractions, including a scenic drive up, and a shopping/gallery day in Livingston Manor.
What to Do at Hemlock Neversink: Nature-Focused Spa Treatments + Activities
The Movement Building at Hemlock Neversink is host to yoga classes and other centering activities. Photo: Lawrence Braun
Hemlock Neversink’s spa is the center of the stay, with a full menu of treatments: see that list here. Pre- or post- treatment, visitors can indulge in a variety of wellness amenities including sauna, steam room, and hot tub. It also includes access to the pool, located inside a toasty heated room with chaise loungers below a wall of windows – providing a comfy sunbathing spot, year-round.
With its many amenities and programming, it’s easy to stay on grounds at Hemlock Neversink for an entire trip. Fitness classes and yoga, group hikes with local guides, an open art studio, and even goat hiking keeps guests as busy as they want to be. Check the activities calendar to get the scoop on upcoming workshops; currently on offer are nature-focused classes like natural dyeing, star gazing, and terrarium workshops.
Beyond its indoor spaces, spend at least one morning (or afternoon) exploring Hemlock Neversink’s private trail system for a choose-your-own-adventure style hike. Maps are provided on check-in, trails are well marked, and range from leisurely stroll to longer, more challenging hikes.
In warm months, the outdoor spaces are where you’ll find guests enjoying Hemlock Neversink’s many sunny porches, patios, and sitting benches. In shoulder seasons, spend days outside examining the budding trees or colorful foliage, and evenings by the bonfire. In winter, the trails are perfect for snowshoeing – to be followed by a snack and cocktail by the fireplace. Year-round, goat hiking is offered, where guests embark on a short trail with a herd of goats; this joyful experience is not to be missed!
Best of the Region: Nearby Hiking Trails, Cute Towns and Scenic Routes
See massive names in modern art like James Turrell and Sol LeWitt at Catskill Art Space in Livingston Manor, NY. Photo: Zach Hyman
More adventurous travelers may get excited about the trails outside hotel boundaries. Less than 15 minutes away, Red Hill Fire Tower provides stunning 360° views of the Catskill Mountains from its namesake fire tower. (It is one of six in the region.) If you’re checking out AllTrails, you’ll find two options: we prefer the Denning Road entrance, especially in winter, when the alternate trailhead from Coons Road may become icy.
Can’t wait to get Upstate? If you’d like to spend some time outside the city before check-in, look into the route from NYC that goes through Gardiner, NY. On the way, you’ll pass Upstate attractions Woodbury Common, Storm King Art Center, and Minnewaska State Preserve. The final leg of this route follows along the peaceful shoreline of the Rondout Reservoir – a perfect mood setter for the beginning a relaxing spa retreat.
Alternately, to extend your trip at the end, head to the charming town of Livingston Manor, about 30 minutes away. While there, make your first destination Catskill Art Space: a world-class art gallery with work by Sol LeWitt and James Turrell. After, pop into boutique shops like Manor Goods, Spruce Home Goods, Seasons, Homestedt, Life Repurposed, Old Souls, Drooz and Nest. Lunch and dinner spots abound here, too; check the expanded guide to Livingston Manor guide for our favorites.