This Hotel In New York Offers A Scenic, Outdoorsy Getaway In The Catskill Mountains

Eastwind Windham is the perfect getaway from New York City. The hotel in the Catskill Mountains has cozy cabins, a relaxing lounge, and plenty of space to spread out. It also has gorgeous views of the nearby ski slopes.

Eastwind Hotels was established by three friends in 2018. They buy old buildings, in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York, and then renovate them, fill them with flea-market finds, and create a Scandinavian vibe. The results are luxurious mountain escapes only a few hours from the city. The Windham location was their first property. Its Bunk House, the main building, was originally constructed in the 1920s. The Mountain House and the Lushna cabins and suites are new additions. The hotel is less than two miles from Windham Mountain Club, a resort whose slopes have been luring skiers to the Catskills since the '60s.

Eastwind Windham is in the Northern Catskills. The small town of Windham, which was established in 1798, is known as the "Gem of the Catskills" for its historic Main Street buildings, stunning scenery, and abundance of outdoor activities. Windham is about a three-hour drive, depending on traffic, from New York City. But the closest airport is in Albany, New York's capital. Its Albany International Airport (ALB), which receives nonstop flights from cities all over the U.S., is less than 65 miles north of Windham. On a clear day, be sure to stop at the Five State Lookout along Route 23.

Eastwind Windham is also on Route 23, so you can't miss the hotel as you drive into Windham. Its Bunk House, a large, navy-colored building, sits on a hillside. This is where you'll check in. It's also where you'll find 11 rooms, a new restaurant called Dandies, a room to store bikes and ski equipment, and a closet stocked with Hunter rain boots to borrow. The rooms are writer's studios, which come with vintage typewriters. Dandies serves coffee, craft cocktails, local beer, and barbecue. While outside, you'll find fire pits, hammocks, and even a wood-barrel sauna.

That's just the beginning. Farther up the hill, the newly renovated Mountain House has 11 more rooms that range from Forest King Rooms to Mountain Studio Suites. The former look out at the trees, while the latter have uninterrupted mountain views. Each room features big windows to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

The freestanding Lushna cabins and suites are hidden even higher on the grounds. The suites can fit up to four people. They include queen beds, pull-out couches, bathrooms, and big decks. The smaller cabins, which are each 220 square feet, can only fit two people. They have more of a tent vibe with their A-frames and full-wall windows. They do have private bathrooms, though you have to step outside to use it. All the Lushna units come with private fire pits. S'mores kits are available, too, of course.

You don't have to go very far to start enjoying the Catskills. Eastwind Windham is just a mile from the center of town. Windham's Main Street is lined with après-ski bars and restaurants. Jägerberg Beer Hall & Alpine Tavern serves hearty German food and beer and wine flights. Millrock Restaurant offers traditional Italian meals. Plus the Taphouse Grille has Asian-fusion dishes. Windham Mountain Club, whose ski season starts at the beginning of December, sits to the south. It's on Cave Mountain, which has a steep hike to the summit when the slopes are bare.

There are many other hikes in the area, as well. Kaaterskill Falls is just 15 miles away. The two-tiered waterfall is one of the best-known spots in the Catskills. But be careful, as its stunning waterfall hike is one of the most dangerous trails in New York. Kaaterskill Falls is close to the Devil's Path. The nearly 22-mile, point-to-point trail is difficult and steep. Here's what you'll need to know to navigate the most dangerous hike in the Catskills.

But don't worry. Not everything in the Catskills is considered dangerous. The Overlook Mountain Trail is only 4.6 miles, out-and-back. You will see the ruins of a late-19th century hotel and a fire tower along this trail. There's also a panoramic view from the top, which offers unmatched views of New York's Hudson Valley. The scenery certainly is breathtaking.