My husband and I are looking to get away this fall to somewhere not too far. The Catskill region has come up but we need suggestions as where to stay. A hotel is preferable to a B&B. We are looking to get away and relax anonymously. We don't want to socialize or be held to any schedule.

We live in central NJ, near Princeton/Trenton. We are both from NE PA and I was in Philly for awhile. This means the we have DONE PA and NJ, and have friends and family that we don't want to be spending time with THIS trip.

Relaxing in the fall mountains is appealing to us right now but this is a short trip so we don't want to spend too much time traveling to somewhere. That is why the Catskills came up. However, my husband is afraid that most of the places will be in as bad shape as places in the Poconos are.

I appreciate any advice, places to go or places to avoid.

Thanks.
BS

This appeared recently in New York Magazine re the Emerson:

http://newyorkmetro.com/travel/travelcolumn/19684/

Also, I know you said you've "done" PA, but the Fauchere reopened in Milford under new ownership and is getting good word of mouth.

The "Catskill region" covers a pretty big area! Are you thinking of the area called the Catskills that has some pretty old resort hotels or more of what people usuually now call the Hudson Valley (both sides of the Hudson, from about Newburgh/Poughkeepsie and on north?)
Not too many decent hotels in the area. The chain hotels are mostly in areas that are not the most appealing, in my opinion (Newburgh, Kingston, Poughkeepsie)They are along the line of Holiday Inns, not more upscale chains.
The inns and B&Bs tend to be in nicer locations and are nicer themselves

With the leaves changing color within a month, you might find many of the nicer hotels, like the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, booked up.

If you're a fan of the B-52's, Kate Pierson has a kitschy motel near Woodstock:

http://www.lazymeadow.com/hthome.htm

My family and I recently rented a "designer chalet" from Barqua Real Estate while attending a family wedding in the Catskills/Woodstock. Buyer Beware! Most of the representations regarding the home were false. There are many negative postings on the web about this agency, but I did not do my homework first to check them out! The home was a complete dump. It was an abandoned, dilapidated home not fit for human occupancy. Feel free to email me with any specific questions. There were many other lovely homes in the area- just do your homework!

Emerson (mentioned above) is fantastic! Quite luxe for that area.