mohonk mountain house

there are so many wonderful things to see & do here that it would be too easy to go on. nuts & bolts: if you like being on the water, there's the lake (though I must admit I find it a little too chilly to swim in); if you like to get physical, jumping around on & climbing the enormous boulders that rim the lake is just too much fun!; fine dining: I like the sunday brunch, but there's no bad time to eat here; horses: a very accommodating stable & plenty of trails to wander for hours; hiking: take the path up to the tower & take in the views for miles in all directions; like gardens: wait to you see the flowers here; and, if none of that quite does it for you, take a ride on the Otis lift, grab a seat in one of the parlours, & a book, and some quiet time. there is a feeling here of stepping back into the Gilded Age that I find so inspiring: it's like time travel without all of the messing theoretical contradictions. I grew up miles from here, and visit now whenever my path takes me back to new York-- one of my favorite destinations in the world.

OK, so I ski here all the time (in the winter silly). They groom the trails very well. There are 50km of trails for all abilities classic style or skate style. Beautiful ridge line views of the catskills and shawangunks, secluded valleys, cliff top vistas, winding forest settings, cruisers, fast downs testing your plow technique or your lungs depending on direction, just a bit of everything. Hotel guests get preference and can rent equipment from the ski shop on property. You can rent snowshoes and I believe fat bikes now. The later is very dependent on the trail surface being hard frozen and you being a beast. Non hotel guests are best renting from Rock and Snow in New Paltz. Park at the gatehouse (for $10 with a Mohoink Preserve pass) ski up the inroad trail to the "hotel side" on the south or the "golf course" side on the north. We preservists also get to park for free and ski into the property from West Trapps on the southwest or Spring Farm on the northwest. I highly encourage anyone thinking about a XC ski trip to consider Mohonk. The hotel is fist class all the way (just look at their rates). I encourage you to check out the hotel especially since they don't groom for blokes like me and I promise to give you a friendly wave when I skate by, or provide directions and guidance if you ask me to stop. In all seriousness, come to think of it that was serious enough.

Just a magical place to share with friends and relatives. Especially nice in summer when you can visit the gardens although the fall is also a nice time with the changing of the leaves. Seems like there is always something going on even in the winter. Nothing to dislike.

What a beautiful place!!! Just a short 1 1/2 hours drive from where I live. Came here on Labor Day weekend with a few family members to do some hiking and was amazed of the breath taking views. There's easy and more difficult trails for the more adventures ones. You will not be disappointed.. I loved it so much that we went back 3 weeks later with more people ... This is my new favorite place for hiking ... Can't wait to go back again

We hiked the "lemon squeeze" and attempted to eat but we were practically laughed at for not having made a reservation for lunch. I have eaten brunch here before though and it is exquisite!

Celebrating our 33rd. wedding anniversary, my darling bride and I drove to New Paltz and spent the day hiking what can best be described as the majestic beauty that is the Mohonk Mountain Resort. They have 80+ miles of trails as well as a lake, golf course, horseback riding, tennis, indoor swimming and a phenomenal restaurant.We hiked 4.34 miles through some of the most beautiful vistas east of the Mississippi then followed it with a delicious buffet slanted towards Asia both east and west with offerings from China, Vietnam, India as well as good old American fare. They offer a well stocked dessert table for those who can eat a hearty buffet plate and still have room for sweets afterwards. Walk four miles first then treat yourself to that dessert table.The lunch we had is a bit pricey, $160 for two, but that meal entitles you to access to the 80+ miles of scenic trails, which offers numerous breathtaking views in the Shawangunk Mountains.Between the hearty meal and the phenomenal vistas during the fall color changes, the cost of our day was worth the money spent. We have stayed on several overnights and long weekends here during different parts of the year in very well appointed rooms in a structure that is as close to a modern day castle as can be.If you plan on spending a night or two, check in advance for scheduled local theater and lectures at the resort. We spent a long weekend here during the Perseid meteor showers last year and got to attend a lecture and field trip by a noted astronomer. This occasion, however, was more reflective and personal and having beautiful vistas and a beautiful flower garden to share with a loved one made Mohonk Mountain Resort a great choice for us.

I have been to a Spa Day with Dinner at Mohonk House. It was great. But I am not one to sit and relax much, so I enjoy hiking the grounds. The views are awesome, especially in the Fall !!

Visiting as a Day Guest and attending the Sunday Brunch wasn't enough time to spend on this heavenly piece of property.The warm welcoming amenities: fireplaces throughout the main areas, porch rockers, sitting benches on all the trails, beautiful gardens, crystal clear lake, hiking paths and many additional activities are not to be missed BUT need to be coordinated when you book a day/stay on the property. The staff is attentive and welcoming from the entry gate on through the dining areas. It is a bit pricey but visitors have so many choices ranging from a spa visit to a strenuous hike youngster to senior. The brunch has so many choices one couldn't possibly try all that's offered so go hungry and expect "buffet quality food" good but not gourmet. All in all my husband and I (both seniors) will go again AND will stay a night or two.

I won't beat around the bush--- this place is expensive. The price is about $300 per person per night. It includes breakfast lunch and dinner , BUT you are then taxed on it and a gratuity is added. So, whatever $ it is per person-- it is really more ... by a significant amount.Ok-- past that. This place is magnificent. The first time I went and was walking up past the lake is when I felt like my soul was being cleansed. The Spa is one of the best I have been to .....ever. The food is exquisite, and the dining room has a spectacular view. Have a drink in the bar before dinner, it has a wonderfully warm feeling.There is so much history here. Take time to read the pictures, read who has stayed as guests. Go sit in the library.Don't miss the gift shop and the soda/ candy shop. Don't miss the pool. Don't miss the afternoon tea.At the very least, make a day trip for a spa appointment , and savor every minute of the place.It recently won 2 awards -- World's best Places to Stay - Conde Nast and Best Hotels in the World - Travel and Leisure. I can see why ;-)

This place is very expensive. However, they keep the hotel and grounds just beautiful so to some, it's well worth it. We like to go for lunch and a spa day. You can tour the grounds, have a decent lunch, tour the hotel and enjoy a spa treatment and not have to pay the $350+ a night hotel stay. If you like the "Gunks" you'll love this hotel.

Went on a nice day for a day hike.Pricey to use the grounds and nothing else.Parking lot was two miles from the area we planned to hike and shuttle did not start til 10:15 am.But Labyrinth was great.Just enough of a challenge with great views at the end.Food at picnic house was a long wait.

It was an overcast day and the scenery was spectacular. Can only imagine what it is like on a clear day. We opted for the day pass, but are going to save up and splurge to stay at the hotel. You start off parking in the day use parking area next to the gate house. You can either take the shuttle or hike up to the picnic lodge. From there it is a short walk up to the hotel. From the hotel there are so many well maintained trails to explore. The sky top tower is currently closed for renovations. But the hike up and area around the tower offer great views. The shuttle bus driver told us they usually stopped the shuttle at 5, but it was a busy day and he would probably be running until 5:30. He pointed out the trailhead back to the parking area since we told him it was unlikely we would be back by 5:30. At 7:00 when we finally made our way back to the picnic lodge he was still running. He made us feel very welcome. I was totally enamored with the grounds and can't wait to go back for a couple of days and explore more thoroughly.

Just returned from our 3rd visit this year, and the place is still great..our 1st visit this year was during the Norovirus Breakout and unfortunately I got it..Can't blame Mohonk, sometimes this happens, and many times it is the visitors who carry it in..Went back again in the spring with friends, had a great time, though a very slow time of year(which has its pros and cons) ..Just came back form a 3 day visit with our children , had 2 rooms, and summertime has so much going on.I need to disagree with a poster a few threads below.The food is very good, considering how many people they are feeding at each meal.It was said the main dining hall is loud, food only marginal..A very easy way to avoid that is to sit in the seperate dining room, where sportscoats are required(though not always followed), and few, if any young children...Not a buffet, so food is much different ..Hiking was great, though can't believe they haven't finished renovating the Tower yet..Took a horseback ride, took advantage of all canoes,paddle boats, row boats, paddle surfing..one day we had massages..played shuffleboard,croquet, etc...Sat on the sunset porch and enjoyed a few cocktails at sunset..Given ALL that you can do,and food and all taxes and gratuities included, the price is not terrible.Every single employee we encountered was friendly and polite. I read some complaints about rooms, but they are perfectly fine, not your run of the mill hotel, look at the craftsmenship in each room..The tiled bathrooms are perfectly done, not some mediocre tile job ..We have visited Mohonk many times, and each visit brings a new experience.And each season gives you new opportunities.We usually visit and enjoy the spa, but have visited a few times and never stepped foot into the spa..looking foward to our next visit!!

We love to go to Mohonk but its so overpriced. This review is for the grounds not the hotel.If you want to just go hiking on the grounds a day pass is $20 per person. If you have a mohonk preserve pass its $10 a person. You have to park about 3 miles from the house itself. There is a shuttle that takes you to the main area if you don't want to walk there. I love hiking and you're really not missing much but NOT hiking this part of the park. The shuttle comes about every 15 minutes and stops at 5PM. I highly recommend the gardens and hiking the labyrinth to the lemon squeeze. You will definitely need decent shoes and there is a lot of rock scrambling so its not for everyone. For those not into as much of an adventure you can also take the path to the top to see the tower. If you pay for a day pass you are not allowed in the hotel. They don't allow dogs, except for service dogs.

Hardest part here is the overall rating. The area, the views, the walks, the wildlife are a five. The stay at the hotel a three so I compromised on four. First the hotel. Room was nice and clean but un-spectacular. Downstairs is crowded and noisy. The dining room is big and crowded with people, many of whom are not staying there. Food was indifferent, service OK tho they are busy so how much can they do. I figured this for a nice romantic getaway and we did indeed make love and I enjoyed it thoroughly as always but once you leave the room the mood disappears. I would not complain about the price. After all you know that in advance. Once outside the building it's great. Nice gardens, a swimming area, great views. Nice just sitting there. Great trails and, once away from the noise of the building, deer in abundance. I mean families of them standing by the side of the path munching on greenery and they do not immediately run away. Two alternatives if you don't want to stay at the hotel. First, you can pay a $20 a person day fee. I wouldn't tho. If you are a hiker you can walk. Head out of New Paltz on 299, turn right on 44/55 and stop at the visitors center and get a map. Then walk out the Under Cliffs Road then onto Laurel Ridge Road and soon you're there. You just walk about like you are a guest. But the walk there might be the highlight. Great nature walk. Want to see deer, they'll practically give you an autograph. Bring water and food. Bathrooms at the visitor center at at Mohonk House.