New Opening Alert: The Chatwal Lodge

Opening in April 2021, The Chatwal Lodge is a country retreat in upstate New York that you definitely want on your radar.

The Chatwal Lodge and the acres of land it sits upon (photo credit: Alice Marshall Public Relations)

The Chatwal Lodge and the acres of land it sits upon (photo credit: Alice Marshall Public Relations)

In looking forward to 2021, one thing we love to hear about is new hotel openings around the world, and we have a fabulous one to tell you about only 90 miles north of New York City. The Chatwal Lodge—created by the same owners of the historic five-star hotel, The Chatwal, in Manhattan—opens April 2021 and is a wonderful escape upstate for those looking to reconnect with nature or just enjoy some peace and quiet.

The hotel itself has been designed to be a luxury country retreat, described as a “magical destination where luxury meets nature.” There is certainly plenty of nature to go around, as The Chatwal Lodge is located within The Chapin Estate, a 2,500-acre gated residential community. By itself, the lodge sits on 30 acres of environmentally-protected land. Along with fabulous views of the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir Lake, you will also have access to hiking trails dotted with chestnuts trees and hidden water streams. You can expect wildlife such as white-tailed deer and nesting bald eagles, who enjoy the clean mountain air just as much as you will. 

Accommodations: Classic & Adventurous

The lodge will offer ten suites, each distinct in appeal but with a common thread of ethos. The natural beauty of your surroundings will be represented in each of the suites through details like private patios overlooking the lake, vaulted ceilings, arched windows, reclaimed wood walls, log-treaded stairs, hand-carved headboards, and faux fur and wooden upholstery. A few of the accommodations will also feature details such as larger lakeside decks for more time outdoors by the water, outdoor showers, deep soaking tubs, kitchens, and living and dining areas suitable for gatherings with friends or family.

For the more adventurous, there are a couple of out-of-the-ordinary accommodations you will want to know about. One of the coolest accommodations is a 1,000-square-foot treehouse situated 25 feet above the ground. The treehouse features a sitting area with elegant interiors made from pine and cedar, a romantic fireplace, and an outdoor deck with unbelievable views of your surroundings.

Fans of glamping will be happy to know there is also a glam tent up to 850 square feet with an open floor plan and a feeling of luxury while being smack dab in the middle of nature. The tent features a king bed, an en-suite bath, and wraparound verandas. You will be captivated by the sunrise out here, or the beauty of the stars while you lounge on your porch, or perhaps you’ll enjoy a cuddle up by an outdoor firepit on a crisp autumn evening.

Dining to Reflect Your Surroundings

As you might expect in a gorgeous region like this one, the dining experience is all farm-to-table fresh. The restaurant is located in the main building, along with a lobby lounge, wine cellar, bar, a breakfast terrace, and a private dining room. Depending on the season, you may want to opt for al fresco dining by an artful water feature that creates a wonderful sense of tranquility.

Your meals will be crafted by a talented local chef, who will create organic, locally-sourced daily specials that represent a vision of localism through a culinary lens. What better way is there to learn a place than to indulge in its cuisine, after all? In addition to partnering with neighboring bakers, cheesemakers, artisans, and meat and poultry farmers, the fresh fish you’ll savor will be sourced from the on-property trout stream. The fresh herbs and veggies come from the onsite kitchen garden. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! Special experiences such as afternoon tea along with craft cocktails and all-day dining can be enjoyed beside a massive fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with heaters so that you can take in the lake view year-round!

If you love a good glass of vino, you’ll want to head down to the cozy wine cellar, which features a fireplace and a selection of the world’s finest wines. You can reserve the cellar separately or combine it with an adjacent private dining room to accommodate up to 24 guests.

Extras & Amenities

In keeping with the five-star quality you’d expect coming from The Chatwal, the lodge will feature a plethora of fabulous amenities, including a house vehicle; 24-hour valet, concierge, and butler service; luxury mattresses; plush duvets and pillows; bespoke linens; cashmere and alpaca throws (so cozy!); organic bath products; terry robes; lots of closet space for the heavy packers; 24-hour in-suite dining; private bars; flat-screen smart televisions; docking stations; complimentary Wi-Fi; and a choice of complimentary newspapers every morning.

Book lovers won’t be able to tear themselves away from the cozy library with its soaring wooden shelves displaying antiquarian and contemporary books on the Catskills and other topics of interest in history, culture, art, and design. Budding literati will find a dedicated section for children’s classics. We can already imagine sitting down with the little ones in front of the fire and reading them a classic tale. Pure magic. If you’re not in the mood for story time, perhaps you’d like to play chess, Scrabble, or backgammon, perfect to enjoy with a drink by the fireplace.

Activities at The Chatwal Lodge

It’s hard to narrow down what the best part about your stay will be, but the activities on offer in such a gorgeous natural space are definitely going to be one of them. Taking advantage of the beautiful landscape it sits within, The Chatwal Lodge will offer outdoor options such as flyfishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, lawn croquet, and recreational badminton. Should you wish to stay indoors, you can expect a selection of Ayurvedic wellness treatments, yoga, meditation, private wine tastings, cooking classes, and even music lessons. The concierge team on-hand can also reserve priority access to concerts and exhibitions at the Bethel Center of Performing Arts and behind-the-scenes tours of the local racing tracks.

Perfect for couples, families, or even larger groups, The Chatwal Lodge is one of the most exciting new openings in 2021, and it is so easily accessed from just about anywhere in the US, with just a flight to New York and then a quick hour-and-a-half drive. Sign us up!

If you’d like to get away to The Chatwal Lodge (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.