christina8

We will be driving by the Catskills area on a road trip in July. We're thinking of staying a night in the Catskills but since we have never been there before we weren't sure what part to see. We love beautiful scenery, taking walks & hikes, good food, quaint towns, shops etc. Probably anywhere in there is beautiful, right? Any recommendations? Just point us in the right direction! Thanks for your help.

nysp

Although a little south of the "catskills" the Mohonk Mountain House is only a short distance off the NYS Thruway and the grounds and scenery are just spectacular. www.Mohonk.com

Trisha

I'm staying at the Windham Arms off of Rt. 23 in the Catskills this summer. I can't comment on how good it is but, it appears to be pretty nice from the website and brochure. I considered the Mohonk but, It's pricey. The Windham Arms is $115.00 a night. Check it out at www.windhamarmshotel.com

Paul

I am staying at Friar Tuck Spa Resort the end of June and into July. I have never been, but am doing some timeshare swapping to stay here. I know that they offer various room style settings and rental arrangements. It is right in the city of Catskill, NY. Here's the web address in case you are interested.
http://www.friartuck.com/
Happy Trails,
Paul

lvitaly

I am thinking of staying At Friar Tuck. Does anyone have any info. on this resort or area??

Paul

I WOULD NOT stay at the Friar Tuck. I stayed there last summer and it is a pretty weird place, let me tell you. Luckily, we stayed in the timeshare section of the property, and that was better than the hotel part.

The best way to describe this place would be: Think 1950's, 500-Room Convention Hotel that hasn't ever been remodeled. There were long basement corridors that gave me the creeps to walk through to get to the pools. The indoor pools and whirlpools and sauna were gross. The three outdoor pools are all right next to each other - all sort of a standard size pools. There was nothing special about the pools either. I would venture to say that most people would find this place to be not of their liking. (Re: Tacky!)

The one thing I did like about the area, was that the hotel was sort of in the middle of nowhere. Neat farms and pasture lands, and cute little "old-timey" family motels were abundant. These older motels were actually pretty cute too.

I also would not advise staying in the downtown area of Catskill. It is a pretty run-down town and there are so many other nicer little cities right next door... Woodstock comes to mind as a nice little town. Saugerties was nice too. If you click on my name you can look for my trip report on the area. I was pretty particular and thorough - it should help you.

Do enjoy the mountains! There is plenty to do, great hikes if you are in to that, and the whole area is very interesting. Although, I must admit, I have no strong desire to return anytime soon. Nothing wrong with that... just sort of the "been there done that" syndrome.

Paul

PS - I just looked for my Catskill trip report and it is #118 of my replies.

Travelkitty

If you are looking for pretty scenery and outdoor activites, as compared to spa facilities, you might try Apple Pond Farm in Callicoon Center. They have a website so you can just do a search. There is nothing to do in the town in terms of shopping or nightlife, but it is a beautiful location good for a nice restful stay and not touristy.

Neil

Our family has been to Mohonk many, many times--it is one of our all-time favorite places. The scenery and grounds are beautiful, and there are miles of wonderful hiking and rock scrambling trails (not to mention a lovely lake and many other activities). The prices may seem steep, but they include three meals a day, afternoon tea, and all activities except golf and horseback riding. The town of New Paltz, which is about 10-15 minutes away, is a college town with its own funky charm.

Merilee_Tucker

I know of two places I can recommend. One is a charming b&b named La Duchesse Anne in Mt. Tremper, NY (845)688-5260. Victorian decor, a wraparound porch and continental breakfast included. There's a bar and restaurant on the premises which serves country style French cuisine. Take the NY Thruway north to exit 19 to Route 28 west (about 15 miles) to Route 212 and make the first right. It will be on your left. Also in this area is the Emerson Inn and Spa Hotel. Very nice. Phoenicia is a quaint little town also in the area. You will also be only about 15 miles or so from Woodstock. Mt. Tremper is also home to the world's largest kaleidoscope. Very psychedelic and there's a store attached that sells the most amazing kaledioscopes I have ever seen.

MileKing

The Mohonk Mountan House is something else. I've only been there once, about 6 or 7 years ago. Yes, it is pricey, but it is an absolutely wonderful place.

lvitaly

Thanks for all the input and especially Paul for your "inside view" of the whole place. I am trading our timeshare and it was in the R.C.I. book.We are from Calif. and my husband was looking for "the mountains' and came up with the idea!After i posted my question i read reviews on Trip Advisor and was shocked at the horrific conditions people wrote about!I was holding it through R.C.I. and quickly gave up my reservation!Back to the drawing board!

Paul

Ivitaly,

If you like the mountains, a nice trade might be into Sunterra's Bent Creek in Gatlinburg. It is about 20-minutes away from Gatlinburg's 'downtown' (which is good), is on a beautiful Gary Player golf course (and I'm not a golfer), a fairly new property with nice appointments, and sits on the edge of the Smokey Mountains. It's a Gold Crown resort with fireplaces and w/dryers in every unit. I own two weeks through Sunterra, and I go there most every year for one week and trade out the other.

When we left the Catskill area we both agreed that we much prefer the Smokeys. Although, the rolling hills of the Hudson River Valley are much different and beautiful in their own way. We do like TN, and the Knoxville airport is a terrific nearby airport if one chooses to fly. Also, Ashville, NC is only a one-hour drive and makes for a lovely day trip.

Let me know if you'd like to trade a week!

lvitaly

Hmmmm- a trade? I will have to think about that. How is that done, through R.C.I ? I am fairly new to this whole timeshare thing. The one i am trading is for Las Vegas. I also have one in P.V Mexico which i will finally use in April.Ours in Vegas was Leisure Resorts but they went bankrupt and are now Summerbay Resort. They will eventually have an internal trade for i believe Gatlinburg. Not this year though. So i wil possibly be able to do that also in the future. I drove through Tennessee and onto N. Carolina last year and was impressed. I know the Smokey Mtn. are nice. How is it around the end of Sept. and what size unit can you trade? I will run it by my husband as his latest idea is Main, Mass. or Vermont. To many choices!!!

Paul

Ivitaly,
Why not contact me at my email...
[email protected]

LeeBHaze

I'm going to assume that you mean you will be driving through the Catskill MOUNTAINS..... thus i make this suggestion, the village of of Woodstock [in Ulster county] is a great happin' little town, lots of places to bunk and eat and site see... home of where the 'WOODSTOCK 1969 CONCERT' was to to take place..... but... the concert actually took place in BETHEL, an hour south west of woodstock...... in sullivan county.... also a visually beautiful county..... but located in the foothills of the Catskills..... personally, if I were you , I'd head to the White Mountains of New Hampshire...and then drive into Maine!! enjoy your trip!