Best Hotels in Upstate New York for a Fall Getaway
Updated: Oct 10
Where to Stay in the Catskills and Hudson Valley for Every Travel Style
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My great-grandparents were among the first Black families to purchase property in Jewett, NY, a small town in the heart of Greene County in the Northern Catskills. I remember traveling upstate New York as a child during the summer with my family, and while we don't visit the house often anymore, I still love going upstate, especially during the fall. Seeing the leaves turn across the mountains and hiking in the cool autumn breeze always feels like the perfect, peaceful getaway from New York City.
Upstate has exploded with beautiful hotels over the last decade, from tiny cabins in the woods to luxury hotels scattered across the region, and my top picks are concentrated in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. This list mixes hotels I've stayed at with several on my wishlist. Alongside each hotel overview, I've included quick facts like drive time from New York City and travel style, plus extra details to consider when booking each property and fall itinerary ideas for each location. Whether you're looking for an outdoorsy vibe or a luxury escape, this list has you covered with some of the best hotels in upstate New York.
For the Outdoorsy Traveler
If your perfect fall weekend involves a fire pit and a trail, start here. These stays put you right in the woods, close to some of the best hikes and waterfalls in the Catskills, without sacrificing comfort.
Postcard Cabins
Postcard Cabins
Drive from New York City: About 2 to 2.5 hours
Location: Eastern Catskills & Western Catskills
Best for: Unplugging on a budget
If your ideal fall weekend includes quiet time in nature, a fire pit, and zero notifications, this is your best option. Postcard Cabins are tiny cabins tucked into the woods with a big picture window, a comfortable queen bed, and a kitchenette. Cell service can be spotty, which is all the more reason to put your phone in the lockbox and completely unplug.
Good to Know: Postcard Cabins is now part of Marriott Bonvoy's Outdoor Collection, so you can earn and use points here.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Explore the on-site nature trail or hike Kaaterskill Falls.
AutoCamp Catskills
Drive from New York City: About 2 to 2.5 hours
Location: Saugerties, NY
Best for: Glamping with all of the amenities
AutoCamp Catskills is the ultimate glamping-style resort, and it's perfect if you like the idea of camping but still want access to amenities. You can choose from Airstream suites, cabins, or canvas tents, and each option comes with its own fire pit and picnic table. The barn-style Clubhouse is the heart of the property and honestly my favorite thing about staying here. It has a general store, coworking space, a bar that serves happy hour daily, a cart full of board games, a jumbo-sized tic-tac-toe board, and outdoor space with a communal fire pit.
Good to Know: The canvas tents don't have private bathrooms; guests use the Clubhouse facilities, so book an Airstream or cabin if a private bathroom is important to you.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Grab breakfast at Olsen & Company, browse the stores along Main Street, take the short walking trail to the Saugerties Lighthouse, and then explore Opus 40, the 6.5-acre earthwork sculpture and museum created by Harvey Fite.
Eastwind Oliverea Valley
Drive from New York City: About 2.5 hours
Location: Big Indian, NY
Best for: Hiking, wellness, and farm-to-table dining
Eastwind Oliverea Valley is a great option if you love hiking, as it's near the Big Indian Wilderness and some of the best Catskills trails, including Giant Ledge, which offers some of the best views. The property has 27 rooms and cabins, including their signature A-frame Lusna cabins, plus a sauna, communal fire pit, and an on-site restaurant called Dandelion, which leans into local, foraged, and farm-to-table food.
Good to Know: This location is more remote than some others on this list, so plan your meals and activities accordingly.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Hike Giant Ledge in the morning, relax in the sauna when you return, and enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at Dandelion.
For the Design Lover
These properties are for you if the hotel itself is the getaway. Each property was built with a clear design aesthetic that is worthy of an Architectural Digest feature.
Piaule Catskill
Drive from New York City: About 2.5 hours
Location: Catskill, NY
Best for: A wellness retreat
As a sustainability professional, Piaule is the property I'm most looking forward to. Piaule is a landscape hotel, meaning it has an eco-conscious design that blends into the natural environment and aims to minimize environmental impact. The thoughtfully designed cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows and heated floors, offering unobstructed views of the Catskill Mountains, and the on-site wellness amenities would make me never want to leave. The Japanese-inspired spa features a dry sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and swimming pool. You can even book wellness experiences from massages, yoga, and reiki to a guided hike.
Good to Know: The property is a short drive to Downtown Catskill, a historic Hudson Valley town with a thriving art scene and shops, and close to Kaaterskill Falls if you want to hike.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Start with a tour of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, the home and studio of the painter who founded the Hudson River School. Then walk Main Street for coffee and local shops, and then stroll down to Catskill Point, where the creek meets the Hudson.
Wylder Hotel Windham, an SLH Hotel
Drive from New York City: About 3 hours
Location: Windham, NY
Best for: Group getaways
Wylder Hotel Windham started as the Thompson House, a family-run resort that welcomed guests for more than a century, and has been reimagined as a boutique hotel with a lot of personality. The design team kept the Victorian bones, with oak floors and claw-foot tubs, and filled the rooms with antiques and custom furniture.
It's a family-friendly hotel that sits on 20 acres along the Batavia Kill River, with plenty to do without leaving the property: wood-fired barrel saunas, pickleball, a game room, e-bikes, and seasonal programming like foraging walks and candle making. This makes it a great choice if you're traveling with friends or family and want a range of activities.
Good to Know: Wylder is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which partners with Hilton, so you can book with your Hilton Honors points. It's also pet-friendly.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Walk the 1.5-mile Windham path for scenic views of the Great Northern Catskills, have breakfast at Fellow Mountain Cafe, ride the scenic skylift at Hunter Mountain, stop at a farm stand for cider donuts, and end the day in the sauna or the on-site game room.
For a Luxury Stay
Whether you're celebrating something or just want to treat yourself, these options fit the bill and are worth the splurge. Each one delivers the full luxury experience, from spas to restaurants worth the trip on their own.
Inness
Drive from New York City: About 2 hours
Location: Accord, NY
Best for: A nature retreat
This is one of the closest properties to the city, and it's packed with things to do: a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, saltwater pools, a spa and bathhouse, farm shop, and a restaurant that uses produce from the property's organic garden. It sits on 225 acres, with 28 cabins and a 12-room farmhouse that blends Scandinavian and rustic American design. In 2025, the property earned a Michelin Key, an award given only to properties that exemplify excellence in design, architecture, service, and personality. A stay here is on the pricier side, but it seems totally worth it to me.
Good to Know: Inness is close to Minnewaska State Park, the Mohonk Preserve, and plenty of orchards and cideries, so it's easy to mix relaxing on the property with exploring.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Take a walk or hike in Minnewaska State Park, or go apple picking at a local orchard.
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection
Drive from New York City: About 1.5 hours
Location: Gardiner, NY
Best for: The ultimate splurge
Wildflower Farms is one of the most luxurious places to stay upstate. The property sits on 140 acres of former farmland with views of the Shawangunk Ridge, and has 65 freestanding cabins, cottages, and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and fireplaces.
The Great Porch has a central fire pit, which is the perfect spot to enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails at night. The restaurant serves fresh produce from the six-acre organic farm, and the on-site spa uses local botanicals in its treatments.
Good to Know: Shawangunk Ridge and Minnewaska State Park are nearby for hiking, and Gardiner and New Paltz are full of orchards and wineries.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Take a farm walk in the morning, hike Minnewaska State Park or the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, and enjoy a spa treatment before dinner at Clay, their signature farm-to-table restaurant.
Mohonk Mountain House
Drive from New York City: 1.5 to 2 hours
Location: New Paltz, NY
Best for: An all-inclusive experience
Mohonk Mountain House is the grande dame of upstate hotels. This Victorian castle opened in 1869 and sits on the edge of Lake Mohonk on the Shawangunk Ridge, and is a National Historical Landmark. The price may look astronomical at first, but it's all-inclusive, so your rate includes three meals a day and most activities. That means hiking, boating, yoga, and afternoon tea are all at your disposal without worrying about additional charges to the room. Many rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and balconies overlooking the lake or mountains, and the spa includes a heated outdoor pool.
Good to Know: Fall is Mohonk's busiest season, so book well in advance. Don't miss the hike up to the Sky Top Tower for one of the best foliage views in the Hudson Valley.
Fall Itinerary Idea: Do a sunrise hike to the Sky Top Tower, relax in the spa in the afternoon, and enjoy dinner in the dining room overlooking the lake.
When to Go for Fall Foliage
Peak foliage in the Catskills usually comes around early to mid-October, while the Hudson Valley tends to peak a little later, from mid to late October. Foliage turns faster at higher elevations, so if you're planning a late October trip, lean toward Hudson Valley properties. Always check the I Love NY fall foliage report before locking in your dates.
Final Thoughts
Heading upstate New York is honestly one of the best things to do during the fall. It is the perfect weekend getaway from New York City, and it offers a reset with fresh air, changing leaves, and the peace that comes from spending time in nature. Each of these hotels is a great base for a fall getaway.
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