Eastwind - Hotel & Bar

Eastwind - Hotel & Bar, a Michelin Key One-Keys property in the Catskills & Hudson Valley, offers a distinctive and highly-regarded retreat blending Scandinavian design with a cozy, upscale mountain camp aesthetic.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Eastwind - Hotel & Bar is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "perfect getaway from the city." It's celebrated for its charming atmosphere, beautiful design, and spectacular service and amenities. The property consistently garners praise for its ability to provide a relaxing and comfortable escape.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Eastwind for several standout features:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's Scandinavian modernist style, incorporating vintage furniture and Frette linens, creates a high-design summer-camp vibe that feels both luxurious and refreshingly unique.
• Location & Nature Immersion: Its setting in Windham, close to natural attractions like Catskill State Park and Windham Mountain, allows for a strong connection to the outdoors.
• Amenities: Popular amenities include outdoor fire pits (often with complimentary s'mores kits), a sauna, and the unique "Lushna" glamping cabins. Free bicycles are also available for guests. The presence of EV charging stations is another appreciated feature.
• Service & Hospitality: The staff are consistently highlighted for being friendly, helpful, engaging, and going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay.

3. Room Quality

Eastwind offers a variety of accommodation types, including standard hotel rooms, suites, studios, and the distinctive "Lushna" eco-cabins (A-frames and suites). The rooms generally feature thoughtful design with Scandinavian influences, hardwood floors, and comfortable furnishings.

• Hotel Rooms & Suites: These often come with king beds, private entrances, en-suite bathrooms with rainfall showers and free toiletries, air conditioning, heating, and free Wi-Fi. Some suites boast loft-style layouts and expansive views.
• Lushna Cabins: These A-frame or pod-like cabins offer an upscale glamping experience, providing a sense of immersion in nature. The smaller A-frames feature a queen bed, a triangular window with mountain views, and a private standalone bathroom a few steps away. Lushna Suites are larger (up to 400 sq ft) and include en-suite bathrooms. While cozy and unique, the smaller Lushna A-frames can feel limited in space, especially for taller guests.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Eastwind contributes to its communal and relaxed atmosphere.

• Breakfast: A continental breakfast, featuring fresh pastries and fruits, is available for an additional fee (approximately $30 per person) and is often delivered as a delightful basket to the room.
• On-site Dining: The Windham location features "High Spirits," a small bar serving seasonal cocktails. More recently, Windham has added Dandies, a casual eatery in a modern glass house, offering comfort food and custom brews. The Eastwind Oliverea Valley location (a sister property) has a full-service restaurant, Dandelion, known for its international comfort food with local, foraged ingredients and a curated drink list.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Eastwind is consistently highlighted as a major strength. Guests describe the staff as communicative, thoughtful, and genuinely warm. Reviewers frequently mention staff going "above and beyond" to enhance the stay, such as delivering mulled wine to rooms or setting up s'mores kits by the fire. The communication system, often relying on text messages, is noted as efficient for guest inquiries and requests. The hotel is also dog-friendly in designated rooms, and staff are accommodating towards furry guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Eastwind - Hotel & Bar is situated in Windham, New York, within the picturesque Catskills region, approximately a two-hour drive from New York City. It serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the area, with Windham Mountain Resort and Windham Country Club nearby. The hotel provides easy access to outdoor activities, including hiking trails (such as Kaaterskill Falls and McKenley Hollow Trail), mountain biking, and winter sports at Hunter Mountain. Free self-parking is available on-site. However, guests should be aware that cell service can be unreliable in the area, though free Wi-Fi is provided.

7. Value & Pricing

Eastwind is considered a boutique luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. Nightly rates for rooms in Windham typically start around $229, with Lushna cabins and suites being higher. Guests generally feel the experience is worth the cost due to the unique design, amenities, and high level of service. However, it's important to factor in additional costs such as the continental breakfast ($30 per person), a resort fee of approximately $21.60 per night, and a pet fee ($50 per pet, per night) if applicable. There may also be a 3.5% surcharge for credit card payments.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Room Functionality: A few guests have suggested adding practical elements like full-length mirrors, bathroom shelves, and more hooks in rooms.
• Lushna Cabin Space: The smaller Lushna A-frame cabins, while charming, can feel somewhat cramped for taller individuals.
• Cell Service: Limited cell service in the Catskills region around the hotel can be an inconvenience, though Wi-Fi is available.
• Walkway Lighting: One reviewer mentioned that the walkways to EV chargers could be better lit.
• Breakfast Cost: The continental breakfast is an additional charge, which some guests might expect to be included at this price point.

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