Eastwind Hotel - Oliverea Valley

Eastwind Hotel - Oliverea Valley: A Michelin Key Selected Escape in the Catskills

Eastwind Hotel - Oliverea Valley, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a serene and design-forward boutique hotel experience nestled within the Catskill Mountains. Guests consistently praise its tranquil "off-the-grid" ambiance, Scandinavian-inspired design, and attentive service, making it a highly recommended escape for those seeking relaxation and a connection with nature.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Eastwind Hotel - Oliverea Valley is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "perfect," "wonderful," and a "dreamy wilderness escape." It's seen as an ideal destination for those seeking a tranquil, off-the-grid retreat without sacrificing creature comforts, often likened to a chic summer camp for grown-ups. Review platforms show high ratings for cleanliness, staff and service, and room comfort.

2. Key Highlights

Guests particularly love the hotel's distinctive Scandinavian design, which permeates throughout the property and its 30 accommodations. The serene location, framed by mountains and alongside the Esopus Creek, is a significant draw, offering a truly immersive natural experience. Amenities such as a wood-framed sauna, a year-round heated swimming pool, outdoor fire pits with complimentary s'mores kits, hammocks, and lender bikes and snowshoes are frequently highlighted and contribute to the hotel's relaxing atmosphere. The property is also notably dog-friendly, with staff going out of their way to accommodate pets.

3. Room Quality

Eastwind Oliverea Valley offers a variety of Scandinavian-inspired accommodations, including lodge rooms, Lushna cabins, and Lushna suites. These rooms are characterized by exposed wood, large windows, and designer-curated Mid-Century vintage furnishings, creating a comfortable and stylish environment. Many rooms feature private entrances, vintage desks, and window nooks, with some offering private lounge chairs and views of the valley. Lushna cabins, described as a "Scandinavian notion of camping without sacrificing comforts," provide a unique glamping-style experience with queen beds and private bathrooms a few steps away. Lushna Suites offer more luxury, with mountain views, a lounge area, writer's nook, and en-suite bathrooms. Guests appreciate the attention to detail, noting that the rooms feel like they belong in a design magazine, with personally sourced items like vintage furniture and second-hand books. While comfortable, some rooms, particularly Lushna Suites, have steep, attic-like stairs to the sleeping area. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a minibar, coffee machine, tea-making kit, Pendleton robes, and vegan Zenology bath products. Notably, some rooms, including Lushna rooms, do not have TVs, which contributes to the "off-grid" experience.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site restaurant and bar, Dandelion, receives excellent feedback for its refined food and beverage program. It offers an ever-changing menu of international comfort food with a "hunter-gatherer" ethos, emphasizing seasonal, locally sourced, and foraged ingredients. Dishes like house-made ricotta cavatelli with wild mushrooms, gochujang-caramelized short ribs, and Finnish-inspired lohikeitto (fish chowder) are highlighted as delicious. Dandelion is open for dinner, and reservations are recommended.

Breakfast at Eastwind is a notable highlight, with guests able to order breakfast baskets delivered to their door. These baskets typically include freshly brewed coffee, orange juice, milk, warm baked pastries, jam, hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt with berries and house-made granola, and fresh fruit, often described as a luxurious start to the day.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Eastwind Hotel - Oliverea Valley are consistently praised as communicative, thoughtful, and warm. Guests often mention the welcoming nature of the staff, including the visible and accessible owners who have personally delivered food and addressed guest needs. The staff's willingness to go above and beyond, particularly in accommodating pets, is also frequently noted. Text message communication is utilized for check-in instructions and for guests to order food, supplies, or ask questions, especially useful given the limited cell service in the area.

6. Location & Accessibility

Eastwind Oliverea Valley is situated in a secluded valley within the Catskill Mountains, on the edge of the Big Indian Wilderness, approximately two and a half hours northwest of Manhattan by car. The property is nestled in a lush mountainside with sunrise and sunset views, with the Esopus Creek running alongside it. It offers direct access to the McKenley Hollow Trailhead and is a manageable drive to popular towns like Phoenicia (12 miles), Woodstock (26 miles), and Hudson (48 miles). Nearby attractions include Belleayre Mountain, Catskill State Park, and Giant Ledge.

A significant point regarding accessibility is the common loss of cell service on or before reaching the hotel grounds, though free Wi-Fi is available. This contributes to the hotel's "off-grid" appeal for many. Self-parking is free on site.

7. Value & Pricing

Room rates at Eastwind Oliverea Valley generally start around $279-$306 per night, but can vary based on room choice and time of year. While some reviews don't explicitly discuss value, the overall positive sentiment and description of the "immersive experience" suggest that guests find the cost worthwhile for the unique offerings, design, and serene escape it provides. Breakfast baskets are available for purchase for approximately $30 and feed two people. The property is cashless, with everything added to the final bill, and there is a 3.5% charge for credit card payments.

8. Common Complaints

While guest feedback is largely positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Lack of Cell Service: While embraced by many as part of the "off-grid" experience, guests are advised to enable Wi-Fi calling and download maps beforehand.
• Stair Steepness: The boxy stairs leading to the lofted sleeping spaces in some Lushna Suites can be quite steep.
• Limited Housekeeping: One review mentioned difficulty in getting minimal housekeeping services from a single staff member.
• No TVs in Some Rooms: For guests accustomed to in-room entertainment, the absence of televisions in some accommodations, like the Lushna rooms, might be a point of consideration.
• Minimum Check-in Age: The minimum age for check-in is 25.

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