Collective Retreats Governors Island

We stayed Sunday to Monday, and it seemed quieter and cheaper than busier days, based on the reviews. I think going off peak makes for a very different experience. On Governor's Island, you can text the concierge, and they’ll quickly bring a golf cart for your bags and a ride to the grounds. It’s a decent walk, so that’s useful if you have heavy luggage. There are hammocks, yard games, a bar, and a restaurant onsite, plus nice, clean bathrooms. The food was good, though there’s only so much you can expect on an island. Staff were friendly all around. My only gripe was getting lots of mosquito bites at night, while my wife didn’t get bitten at all. It was a fun glamping trip, and the views are hard to beat, a uniquely NYC experience.

We hardly spent time indoors because the outdoor views, quiet feel, and evening firepits with free marshmallows were so lovely and romantic. The grounds close around 9 p.m., so you can’t wander later, though it did make the place feel safer and more exclusive. I’d fallen for the place after seeing it on Sex and the City, and it made a perfect 15th anniversary getaway. It was our first visit, but not our last. The room was cozy, clean, and kept up well, with plenty of towels, fresh bedding, and comfy robes. We noticed a little mildew, probably from the humidity near the water. The bathroom partitions have tiny gaps, so someone could technically see between the bathroom and bedroom, but it didn’t bother us much. Views of the Statue of Liberty were breathtaking day and night, especially seeing it lit by the sunrise. Dinner was delicious, though pricey, which makes sense given the few nearby options, especially on weekdays. Breakfast was simple, filling, and included. The downside was nighttime noise from helicopters and boats. Earplugs helped a bit, but light sleepers should keep it in mind. The staff were kind and courteous from the moment we arrived, greeting and escorting us from the ferry to the hotel. Highly recommend.

The views and setting are beautiful, and we enjoyed the place during the day. But for $600, the glamping room was a letdown. I booked a king waterfront view, and it was in poor shape, with a lot of mold in the shower. The tent also wasn’t what I’d expect at that price. Service was the worst part. The front desk staff seemed bored, and our restaurant waiter was rude. When the main course came, he didn’t clear my plate, so we moved the dishes ourselves to the next table, even though the restaurant was half empty. It was the first time I’d ever tipped less than 15% at a restaurant. That night, a huge Latin American concert kept the room vibrating with bass until midnight, so the island wasn’t quiet at all. There are earplugs in the room, and apparently concerts on Governor's Island are common. Overall, it wasn’t worth the money or what the website claims.

We enjoyed our stay for the fantastic view of Manhattan, but the tents and grounds need much better care. The rugs were dirty, and the spare blankets had grass and soil all over them. The bathroom tents were the biggest problem: most zippers didn’t work, leaving toilets and showers exposed to people walking past. In some tents you could be seen using the toilet or even be naked in the shower, since the doors wouldn’t close. Only one or two could be zipped, or almost zipped, which isn’t acceptable. This felt more like camping than glamping. Maybe the smorres would bring us back, but probably not.