Take forest bathing to the next level: cedar hot tubs are located off nine of the suites at the The Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian, NY. Photo: Ben Fitchett
Spring has officially sprung, and we’re so ready to refresh and renew after a long, dark winter. To help our readers plan a much-deserved recharge, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite wellness and spa getaways in Upstate New York.
From inclusive resorts with full service day spas and treatments, to a la carte treatment facilities, these are the best relaxation destinations in the Catskills and beyond.
The Hemlock Spa at Kenoza Hall in Kenoza Lake, NY
Photo: Upland Creative
Newcomer on the hospitality and spa scene, Kenoza Hall has everything you’d want in a relax-and-recharge getaway, with 32 beautiful rooms – plus an onsite spa, bar and restaurant — so you can check in and unwind, without ever having to leave the property.
Refresh and restore with Hemlock Spa’s unique brand of “earthy luxury,” featuring Kneipp-inspired body treatments and massages, an ode to the area’s early Swiss and German settlers. Treatments, rooted in naturopathy and hydrotherapy, extend beyond the walls of the Hemlock Spa, and into the 55 acres of land which include walking paths, artfully designed gardens, an outdoor barrel sauna, hot tub, and pool.
Glo Spa in Woodstock, NY
Photo: Juliet Lofaro
There’s no shortage of great places in stay in Woodstock, so pick your favorite hotel, cabin, or treehouse, and plan to devote an afternoon to self-care at Glo Spa Woodstock.
Try one of their oxygen facials to get your glow back after a long, cold, windy winter… or get a massage with a CBD upgrade for peak relaxation. Check the Escape Brooklyn Guide to Woodstock to help plan a trip.
Piaule Catskill Hotel in Catskill, NY
Photo: Sean Davidson
At new “landscape hotel” Piaule Catskill, 24 stand-alone single and double cabins offer a unique forest immersion retreat. Designers and architects designed this stunning hotel specifically to slow down, and take in the landscape.
A 115-mile trip just to see Piaule’s spa would be worth the journey on its own; however, spa access is limited to overnight guests only. While staying, begin your mornings or end your days in a healing circuit of sauna, steam room, and plunge pool.
Additional relaxing experiences include massage (beginning at $250), yoga classes ($40) or sound baths ($50). Browse their experiences page for more information. Overnight rates begin at $399.
Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian, New York
Photo: Escape Brooklyn
Take your bathing routine to new heights at the Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian, NY. This 28-room boutique hotel has all the ingredients you need for a perfect weekend – indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, fire pits and fireplaces, an Estonian sauna, award-winning bar and restaurant – plus, its location in the Catskill Mountains‘ Big Indian Wilderness is absolutely magical.
Nestled on 68 acres in the heart of the Catskills, the Urban Cowboy is just ten minutes up the road to Giant Ledge, and fifteen to Slide Mountain, two of the best hikes in the Catskill Mountains.
After a day on the trail, nothing feels better than a long soak in a Cowboy tub, followed by a big, well-earned meal at the Public House, the Cowboy’s bar and restaurant. If you still have energy, grab a nightcap and find the nearest roaring fire and recap the day with your fellow Cowboy guests. The motto here: arrive as strangers, leave as friends.
Check out the Escape Brooklyn Feature on the Urban Cowboy Lodge to get inspired.
The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, PA
Photo: Andrea Killam Photography c/o The Lodge at Woodloch
Okay, so it’s technically not in New York, but this Poconos getaway is also within the three hour radius of NYC and it’s pretty darn relaxing. With treatments running from the traditional, such as the Deep Tissue Massage, to the truly luxe like the Caviar Facial, you’re sure to find a cure for what ails you at The Lodge at Woodloch. Their Aqua Garden includes soaking pools with hydromassage waterfalls, indoor pool, and outdoor year-round whirlpool. The spa also offers float therapy and sleep treatments.
The Lodge is a full service adults-only resort. Overnight packages include meals, with several delicious dining options to choose from. Rates for overnights begin at $500 per night. Massage spa treatments start at $170; day packages are available.
Zephyr Float in Kingston, NY
Photo: c/o Zephyr Float
If you’re unfamiliar with the practice of floating, Zephyr Float is a great place to get started. Light and sound are blocked as you are suspended in body-temperature, hyper-buoyant water, while the complete absence of sensory distractions offers total relaxation and unexpected insights from your tech-freed brain.
Floats start at $75 for an hour; massages start at $115. Packages and specials are available.
Once your mental and physical reset is complete, don’t worry about having to go to far. Kingston is full of great places to stay, eat and shop. Check out the Escape Brooklyn guide to Kingston, NY to get inspired.
Hasbrouck House in Stone Ridge, NY
Photo: Harrison Lubin
The dreamy Hasbrouck House has a number of wellness options for guests booking a stay at this stone mansion turned luxury escape. Wake up in the most ridiculously comfortable beds, grab a healthy breakfast (or an indulgent one, we won’t judge) at its onsite restaurant Butterfield, then make use of its private walking trail and lakeside seating area for quiet meditation. For the outdoorsy-inclined, complimentary hiking passes to nearby Mohonk Preserve are provided to all Hasbrouck House guests at check-in.
The hotel grounds offer a few options for respite: its spa offers a menu of massages, complete with upgrades, beginning at $165. Gratis for all in-house guests is use of its landmark pool (seasonal), and complimentary sauna sessions in a barrel sauna, just steps from the pool.
Yogis will enjoy complimentary in-person yoga instruction during their stay from Whole Sky Yoga, easy walking distance from Hasbrouck House. Guests can book a private or group outdoor yoga session, too.
Mohonk Mountain House & Spa in New Paltz, NY
Photo: Escape Brooklyn
The Mohonk Mountain House has been go-to getaway for nature-starved New Yorkers since 1869. Overnight stays include access to the 60-foot indoor heated pool and extensive grounds, featuring hikes for a variety of abilities. Our favorite is the iconic Sky Top Tower hike, which trails Mohonk’s lake and climbs toward a mountaintop tower. The options for other outdoor activities are extensive, ranging from horseback riding and water sports, to snowshoe hikes and disc golf.
To unwind from all that activity, pick a treatment or several from Mohonk’s smorgasbord of options covering everything from massages to skin treatments to energy therapy. The purchase of a treatment includes access to all spa amenities, including solarium and verandas, eucalyptus steam room, dry rock sauna and heated mineral pool.
Accommodations include meals and start at $765/night for double occupancy. Day access to the Spa is included with the purchase of treatment. Day passes for grounds and amenities also available. Check out our past feature on Mohonk Mountain House for inspiration.