The Leeway

The Leeway, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the Catskills & Hudson Valley, offers a boutique motel experience that seamlessly blends modern comfort with rustic charm. Guests consistently praise its serene creekside location and thoughtfully designed accommodations, making it a highly-rated destination for those seeking a tranquil escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Leeway is overwhelmingly positive, with an "Exceptional" rating. Review platforms show scores like 9.5 on Booking.com and 10 out of 10 on Expedia, reflecting high guest satisfaction. Guests frequently describe their stays as "amazing," "beautiful," and "peaceful," highlighting a sense of warmth and coziness.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Leeway for its picturesque creekside setting and its unique blend of nature and sophisticated design. Key highlights include:

• Design & Ambiance: The property, a renovated 1950s motel, offers rustic-chic interiors that feel like custom-made cabins. The aesthetic combines mid-century and modern design elements with artisan-made touches.
• Location & Outdoor Amenities: The Leeway is set on six acres along the Esopus Creek, providing guests with private river frontage and breathtaking mountain views. Outdoor features such as fire pits, camping-style grills for DIY barbecues, hammocks, and Adirondack chairs encourage relaxation and social gatherings by the water.
• Sense of Peace: The quiet surroundings contribute to a deeply peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal getaway to disconnect.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Leeway are described as cool, custom-made cabins, often featuring eat-in kitchens, bespoke wood furnishings, designer carpeting, and leather butterfly chairs. Adding to their warmth are elements like ethically handcrafted rugs and colorful throw blankets. Standard amenities include Marshall speakers, Brooklinen bedding, and sleek portable coolers and lanterns. Many rooms also offer enticing extras such as gas fireplaces, front porches, or private terraces with river views. Guests find the suites spacious, impeccably designed, and very comfortable, with good Wi-Fi and modern amenities. Room options range from Standard Rooms to Two Bedroom Suites, with some featuring balconies or dens.

4. Dining Experience

The Leeway does not feature a traditional on-site restaurant or bar. However, the rooms are well-equipped with eat-in kitchens, allowing guests to prepare their own meals. For dining out, The Leeway's location in Mount Tremper provides convenient access to a variety of local culinary options within a short drive. Nearby recommendations include The Pines for sophisticated comfort food, the famous Phoenicia Diner for a modern take on classics, and Bread Alone for baked goods and provisions. Local grocers like Local Goods can even curate pick-up baskets for guests.

5. Service & Staff

Despite not having a traditional front desk, guests consistently commend the "excellent and warm hotel communication via text." The property utilizes self-check-in instructions and provides a local guide via email on the morning of arrival. Guests appreciate the highly responsive and helpful staff, with one reviewer noting the "owner personal contact was excellent and treated us extremely well."

6. Location & Accessibility

The Leeway is ideally situated in Mount Tremper, New York, along Route 28, offering easy accessibility and serving as a perfect home base for exploring the Catskills. It's approximately a 2.5-hour drive from New York City and is also accessible via Amtrak to Rhinecliff or Trailway buses to Mount Tremper. The property is within convenient proximity to popular towns like Phoenicia (5 minutes), Woodstock (10 minutes), and Kingston (30 minutes), offering numerous dining, shopping, and cultural attractions.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the location is a dream, with immediate access to Esopus Creek for fly-fishing, swimming, and wading. Numerous hiking trails, swimming holes, and ski resorts (Hunter Mountain, Belleayre Mountain) are within a 5- to 45-minute drive. While cell phone service can be limited in the surrounding area, the property offers a strong Wi-Fi connection. EV charging stations are also available on-site.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific long-term pricing trends are not available, guest feedback suggests that The Leeway offers great value. Typical nightly prices for various room types range from approximately $209 for a Standard Room to $269 for a Loft Duplex with Deck. Rates around $216-$228 have also been observed.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Thin Walls: Some guests have mentioned that the walls between rooms can be thin, leading to potential noise transfer.
• Bathroom Size: A few reviewers have found the bathroom showers to be a bit tight, with limited space for toiletries. Similarly, some toilets were described as being in tight spaces.
• Duplex Room Description: In some duplex suites, the beds are upstairs and bathrooms downstairs with narrow spiral staircases. Some guests felt this layout and the lack of explicit photos of these rooms were not clearly communicated during the booking process.
• Wedding Venue Proposal: A recent proposal by the owners to expand the use of the motel into a wedding destination has raised concerns among some local residents regarding potential noise and traffic disruption to the quiet residential area.

Sources

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