Bluebird Hunter Lodge

Style

Well plaid

Setting

Hugged by Hunter Mountain

Bluebird Hunter Lodge – an Upstate outpost by Lark Hotels – puts bird-sung summer hikes and snowy slopes right on your doorstep, and wraps it all in a cozy, mountainside package. Settled in New York’s coveted Catskills, a two hour jaunt from the city’s hubbub but seemingly states away, this all-seasons basecamp is recasting traditional cabin decor with cloud-like king-size beds, artisan-crafted furnishings and Seventies-inspired details. If you weren’t already feeling cocooned by this all-American inn, stargazing and s’mores await by crackling fire-pits, and seasonal fare has fans flying to the Tavern.

Facilities

Rooms

44, including 14 suites.

Checkout

11am. Earliest check-in is at 3pm.

More Details

Rates include a light breakfast spread of bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and tea.

Also

Unfortunately, Bluebird Hunter Lodge isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

Free Internet Access

Pet Friendly

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Games room, and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV, dry bar or mini-fridge, and Ursa Major bath products. The Deluxe and Chalet Suites also have fully equipped kitchens.

Our Favourite Rooms

Peak-dotted panoramas add a certain ambience to the already chalet-cast interiors, so we’d suggest opting for one of the Mountain View Loft suites for those sought-after scenes.

Packing Tips

Seasoned skiers can bring all their gear, but if you’d rather save the extra souvenir space, everything’s available to rent. In the summer, as long as you’ve got a map of the trails, you’ll be good to go.

Children

Little Smiths are welcome, though there aren’t any specific facilities onsite for them.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

We’d suggest bagging a spot around the fireplace for crackling and cozy evenings.

Dress Code

As you are – boarding boots and all.

Hotel Restaurant

Hunter Tavern keeps things casual, with upmarket American dishes that change with the seasons (barbecue pulled-pork sandwiches, bursting-out-the-bun burgers, and marinara meatballs with melted cheese are a few cross-season standouts). If your comfort cravings still aren’t satisfied, there’s a roaring fireplace set with s’mores kits for marshmallow-induced joy, and you’re welcome to join in on bi-weekly trivia nights and live-music groovin’ at weekends.

Hotel Bar

There’s no formal bar, but classic cocktails take a Catskills’ twist in the restaurant and local guest breweries set up shop once a month for boozy beer tastings.

Last Orders

Hunter Tavern opens for dinner from 5pm to 9pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Planes

Albany’s airport is just over an hour’s drive away, and the hotel’s closest; domestic routes will fly direct, but if you’re arriving from Europe you’ll have to catch a connecting flight from one of the East Coast’s bigger airports. If you’d rather take a road trip, touch down in JFK and take Route 87 for around two hours before veering off for 30 minutes to reach Hunter.

Trains

Amtrak has direct trains from the city’s Penn Station to Hudson station, which is then a 40-minute drive from the hotel.

Automobiles

If you’re planning on sticking to the slopes, you shouldn’t need a car; but for those hoping to explore more of the Catskills, we’d suggest picking up a rental at the airport (and there’s free parking onsite).

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Bluebird Hunter Lodge puts you right at the base of Hunter Mountain, which seduces outdoorsy types with its wealth of powdered pistes and rugged trails. Expect skiing and snowboarding, or diversify into snow tubing and snowshoeing on Bearpen Mountain – then toast your efforts at one of the area’s many breweries.

After the melt, the Catskills serve up 500 miles of trails. We’d suggest starting with the Huckleberry Trail, that takes you through Gooseberry Creek and over to fabled Rip Van Winkle; or try the Becker Hollow Trail. Mountain biking over Windham Mountain and zip-lining through the canopies will give the thrill-seekers a different perspective, and those willing to ascend to the Kaaterskills Falls will be greeted with scene-stealing views of the Hudson River. For town jaunts, Hunter is within walking distance, and Tannersville and Lexington are both short drives away.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .