[The view from room 10 at the Spruceton Inn]
It’s exceedingly difficult for me to be able to relax; I pretty much ease into a massage or spa experience toward the very end, and for this, I blame it on being an on-edge, high strung New Yorker, who always need to be aware of her surroundings, rendering the disability to let go and disconnect. Take me out of the city, however, precisely two and a half hours north, and I can’t help but succumb to a much more zen state of mind. With sparse internet connectivity and cell phone service, Google Maps falls to the wayside and observations and instinct kick in as my navigation device, finding along the way a reverence for idyllic nature, serene country roads, and a general sense of leisure and adventure. The few trips that I’ve made to the Catskills have been tremendously enjoyable from a cultural standpoint, along with allowing for a much needed pause to reset and refresh for the coming days and weeks.
[Enjoying a snowy morning surrounded by the comforts of the Spruceton Inn]
This January, I found respite at the Spruceton Inn, a lovely place nestled in a little valley 4+ miles down a winding road (Spruceton Road, to be exact) in the blink-and-you-could-miss-it town of West Kill, NY. Originally built in the 1960s and passed through several owners before becoming the Spruceton Inn, it has since been revamped by innkeeper Casey Scieszka to include clean, minimalist decor, with touches of its history here and there; the original sinks and tubs have been left in place that lend a retro cool aesthetic to the largely modern space.
Billed as a “bed and bar,” the first of the 10 rooms has been converted into the front desk and bar, encouraging patrons to stop by for a night cap or Pop Tarts and premium coffee in the morning. A creek runs through the back of the property, and several trail heads lie a bit further down the road. Fire pits are generously spread throughout the property to encourage some barbecuing or marshmallow roasting, which, if the farm animals that you passed on the road on the way in didn’t cements the fact that you’ve most certainly left the city behind at this point, cooking fireside most certainly will.
[ Scenery from an early morning trail hike through the woods.]
Fashion Pulse Hubby and I spent a lot of time in room 1, drinking coffee and chatting with Casey and other guests of the inn, reveling in the welcoming, intimate nature of the establishment and wishing we would have booked an extra day there so that we could have taken one more walk on the trail as it snowed, or spent a few extra hours reading from the comfort of the room, gazing out of the window and up the hill at the snow capped densely populated trees. If you need a quick reprieve from the daily grind, head to a place where you’ll find good company, delicious coffee, and QUIET, peace and quiet! Oh yeah, and if you’ve just got to use your phone, there’s free wifi too!
Full Disclosure: Fashion Pulse Daily was granted a press discount during the stay at the Spruceton Inn.
