This content originally appeared on our Weekend Inspiration newsletter, mailed on 11/22/24. Want to get news like this, straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Escape Club, where upgraded paid membership also gets you exclusive discounts on Upstate getaways you won’t find anywhere else.
Howdy all,
Happy Friday to our Downstaters, and happy snow day to our Upstaters! In our home base of Livingston Manor (Catskills) atop Shandelee Mountain, we got about a foot of snow. After a long, warm autumn it appears winter is making her big debut.
This week, we’re all about the seasonal transition. After a big trip out west with loads of sunshine and hiking, I’m fully charged on outdoor time and ready for some snow, my fireplace, and generally settling into winter. Maybe you are too?
Below, we’re sharing a few ideas for the upcoming season – whether you’re looking for a weekend spot with a fireplace for a couples getaway, a holiday party spot for up to 30 guests, or a place to hunker down for the season – heck, maybe even forever. (This week’s real estate listing is a real beauty!)
Find all of that below, plus some upcoming holiday markets to add to your calendar! Enjoy the snow, fellow Upstaters.
Stay warm out there,
Erin + the EB Team
Call the Catskills Home This Winter: Nine Seasonal Stays for Rent
Four of the eight cottages at Perch Cottages in Boiceville, NY are available for winter-long rentals. Photo: Shelter Upstate.
Have you ever dreamt of spending winter Upstate? We’ve got nine options! ICYMI, on Tuesday’s Instagram we shared Perch Cottage’s winter rental rates, and Wednesday Escape Club sent out a list of nine total seasonal spots.
After a day exploring the Northern Catskills, head inside to warm up in front of your personal fireplace. Photo: Peter Crosby.
Prices range from $2,500-$7,000 a month, and each home has different winter-friendly amenities: think hot tubs, saunas, fireplaces, easy ski access and more. (One spot even has a weekly cleaning service for our weekend warriors!) Check out the entire list here.
New in Real Estate: Den House in Rhinebeck, NY
This freshly built, beautiful home in Rhinebeck, NY comes from the minds of Den Outdoors. Photos by Steph Mossey.
Newly constructed and designed by the minds at Den Outdoors, this modern Scandinavian home merges sleek style with countryside living less than two hours north of NYC.
With an open-concept floorplan, Den House is functional and minimalistic. Anchored by a wood burning stove, the living space offers room for intimate cocktail hours and large gatherings alike. A pair of sliding glass doors open onto the back deck, for ease of movement between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Each bedroom features access points to the deck as well.
Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, surrounded by four private acres, and ten minutes to the heart of Rhinebeck. For more details, check out the full listing. Listed by Jon Berry at Upstate Down.
Glasco BLCK Creek in Highland, NY
Peak fall at Glasco’s BLCK Creek is set on a 37-acre private lake near New Paltz. Photo: Escape Brooklyn
Depending on how closely you follow Escape, you may have noticed how much we’ve been posting about this place recently. After a magical shoot in late October – in which our shoot overlapped with photographer Thomas Agoglia’s shoot – a small group of photographers plus one co-working crew all enjoyed the last licks of autumn in the Hudson Valley at BLCK Creek.
90 miles from NYC, BLCK Creek is the crown gem of Glasco’s luxury vacation rental portfolio, based in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. The stunning 164-acre estate has a private 37-acre lake and is the largest of all, capable of sleeping 29 guests within its 4 houses and 11 bedrooms.
Guests converge in the main home, AKA Black Bear Manor, with multiple large gathering spaces including a main living room with a grand stone fireplace, a dining room with seating up to 20, a kitchen pub with seating for 10, and a second lofted living room with a pool table, 75” TV and lounge area overlooking the lake. Its fully-stocked kitchen boasts multiple fridges and freezers, 3 dishwashers, 6-burner stove and everything else a chef’s whim desires. (Of note: private chefs are available for hire!)
Other amenities throughout the property include soaking tubs, incredible lake views, sun decks and docks, 7-person hot tub, hiking trails and watercraft to explore the lake. Its three cottages range in size from one to four bedrooms, all with private bathrooms and kitchenettes or full kitchens.
As we head into the holidays, keep BLCK Creek at the top of mind for a luxurious, festive retreat or family gathering you won’t have to leave, from check-in to check-out. As of today, both Christmas and New Year’s Eve are available!
Escape Club Members save 10% on bookings November and December; get the code in November’s discounts and promos newsletter. (Holiday blackout dates do apply.)
Old Quarry House in Catskill, NY
125 miles from NYC, Old Quarry House in Catskill is a light-filled, three-bedroom short-term rental that can house up to six people. Photo: Escape Brooklyn.
Last reminder to book, or bookmark for later, the lovely Old Quarry House in Catskill, NY. This unique retreat in the woods comes with a private swimming hole, dual outdoor fire pits and one cozy indoor fireplace. Throughout the home, oversize windows and large glass doors create an absolutely sun-drenched getaway — perfect for chilly seasons when brisk weather keeps you indoors.
During warm months, guests can enjoy the home’s private swimming hole on Kaaterskill Creek: pack a bag and head down to the water, enjoying meals at the designated picnic area with table, grill and bonfire — or to the swimming area, with flat rocks that seem to float above the surrounding water.
In winter, hunker down and cook meals at home: the chef’s kitchen is fully stocked with all the essentials, with a 12’ island space for meal prep, and a dining table for eight. After dinner, retire next to the fireplace and make use of the 75” short-throw projector, or opt for a solo retreat in the large soaking tub.
As of today, Old Quarry House is available for rent two weekends in December, and also through Christmas. January and February are completely open for short-term or extended stays.
Head to Old Quarry House (Airbnb) for more rates and availability. We also launched an EB mini-guide to the house last week that includes some highlights from the area – art, food, hiking and more – to add to your itinerary.
That’s all for this week – catch you soon, and have a great weekend!
