A two and a half hour drive from New York City, Camptown is a 50 room hotel located at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, just over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Originally built in the 1930s, it’s home to 26 log cabins and 24 hotel rooms each reimagined by Ramshackle Studio; the property, owned by development firm Mountain Shore Properties, having undergone a considerate renovation and redesign, embracing existing original architectural details, whilst punctuating the spaces with custom work created through partnerships with local artists and woodworkers.
Set within 22 wooded acres of land, the retreat is also home to a restaurant, swim club, the former — Casa Susanna — celebrating the flavours of Jalisco, and the latter open to hotel guests and Swim Club members from Summer 2023. A vivacious place to swim and socialise, the pool area will feature a covered pavilion with a fireplace, waterbed cabanas and loungers, and an outdoor bar with extended deck.
The 50 individual accommodations are sprawled across a renovated motor lodge, and have been designed by Ray Pirkle and Kim Bucci, owners and creators of the Rivertown Lodge in nearby Hudson, under their debut company Ramshackle Studio. Varying from the smaller ‘Nook Rooms’ to the sizeable ‘Kings,” interiors were inspired by the charm of the property and the nature that surrounds it.
Expect a mix of modern and vintage furniture; think wooden spindle bed frames with flanking nightstands and Shaker-style nook beds with built-in shelves and drawers, alongside found lamps, artwork and wares. All are complemented by a colour palette of bold earth tones ranging from dark green and brown to yellow and red. Each cabin is unique in terms of design, some also feature a wood-burning stove, living area and/or fully equipped kitchenette, making them an attractive option for both short visits and longer-term stays.
Casa Susanna, helmed by Efrén Hernández, offers a menu focused on fresh produce, the year-round Mexican restaurant celebrating the chef’s family heritage and flavours of Jalisco. Housed in a dark brown lodge illuminated by a neon green ‘Susanna’ sign, the tavern-style restaurant and bar is a welcoming spot with a large horseshoe-shaped bar, sculptural French oak bar stools from the 1960s, seagrass wallpaper, and a Shaker sewing table-inspired cherry back bar custom designed by Ramshackle.
Combining history, style and oodles of comforting Americana, Camptown Hotel in the Catskills is one of many enticing accommodation options that continue to crop up in Upstate New York.
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Camptown Hotel Catskills Photography, Upland Creative /Lawrence Braun.
