Mohonk Mountain House

The walking and hiking trails are in great shape and make for a relaxing way to explore. If you’re in good shape, try The Labyrinth route up to Skytop. The Crevice at the end is quite a thrill. Mohonk Mountain House is beautiful and full of charm, with different lounges and little nooks on every floor to discover. The large dining room looks like something from olden days.

We visited in November and hiked to the top of the mountain, taking in the views along the way. We didn’t get to enjoy all the amenities that day, and I really didn’t want to leave. The staff made us feel special as soon as we arrived. The inside has old world charm, with beautiful carved wooden staircases, while outside there are stone arches and balconies with rocking chairs and amazing views. It cost money to visit for the day, but I was a guest and don’t know the fee. Mohonk Mountain House is a spectacular 1st class hotel. I can’t wait to go back and spend the night.

We’ve stayed at Mohonk three times in less than a year, and I can see why families come back for generations. Our first visit was for my wife’s birthday last summer. We liked it so much that we brought family along for my mother’s 70th birthday and reunion, then returned with my wife’s family this spring. My mom has already booked another trip for September, and we’re ready to come back, too. It’s expensive, but the meals, included activities, beautiful grounds, and relaxing experience make it feel worth it. It doesn’t feel transactional: there aren’t constant upsells, surprise fees, gratuity calculations, or nickel-and-diming. The food has been outstanding on all three trips, and everyone we met was warm, professional, and focused on guests. The property feels historic and personal, rather than overly corporate. Maybe that has something to do with it still being family-owned by the Smiley family after more than 150 years. It also works well for couples, grandparents, and families with young kids, which is a hard balance to get right. No wonder people return decade after decade.

The place is enormous, with over 300 rooms, and I strongly recommend trying it. My wife and I had a wonderful weekend there on Feb 6 and 7, the two coldest days. Snow conditions were great for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating, all on the property and included. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were included as well, with an incredible variety. My wife happened to read about it in the NY Times.