Hey New Yorkers: Your Perfect Catskills Weekend Retreat Awaits

The Dinogo Perspective

In January 2023, the Eastwind hotel collection, based in New York, unveiled Eastwind Oliverea Valley near the scenic Big Indian Wilderness in the Catskills. This third property from Bjorn Boyer, Julija Stoliarova, and Dan Cipriani enriches the brand’s lineup of Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist cabins and rooms, joining the ranks of Eastwind Windham (2018) and Eastwind Lake Placid (2022). Unique among the trio, Eastwind Oliverea Valley was constructed from the ground up, nestled among three towering 3,000-foot peaks, with the charming Esopus Creek flowing nearby. It offers a grown-up camping experience—imagine breakfast baskets delivered right to your door, complimentary s’mores kits, and warm, rustic decor.

Who Is This For?

Ideal for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path escape in upstate New York without compromising on comfort. Given its atmosphere, amenities, and setting, it’s particularly suited for families with young kids and New Yorkers wanting a weekend retreat in nature.

The Setting

The hotel is located about two and a half hours from Manhattan via the Taconic State Parkway, approximately 80 miles south of Albany, and conveniently close to several popular Upstate towns: Phoenicia (12 miles), Woodstock (26 miles), and Hudson (48 miles). Other nearby attractions include Belleayre Mountain, Shandaken Historical Museum, Woodland Valley State Park, Giant Ledge, and the Ashokan Rail Trail.

The Accommodations

The hotel offers a total of 30 rooms with various configurations. Guests can choose a king room that accommodates two people with one bed and one bathroom; a suite that connects two king rooms with two bathrooms; or a king loft that features a spacious upper-level area accessible by a ladder.

At Oliverea Valley, Eastwind’s standalone A-frame Lushna cabins come in four different styles: the simplest has a queen bed and a bathroom, while others include a queen bed, a bathroom, and a deck. Lushna suites offer a lofted queen bed, an outdoor deck, a lounge area, and a writer’s nook. Additionally, there’s the new Double Lushna option, which consists of two separate cabins with queen beds linked by a private deck.

Each cabin is uniquely designed, showcasing varied furnishings and decor, while maintaining the brand’s hallmark Scandinavian minimalism. The interiors prominently feature blond wood furniture, complemented by midcentury-modern elements like macramé wall hangings and Eames-inspired chairs. The presence of old books, framed vintage animal prints, and Turkish rugs creates an ambiance reminiscent of a well-appointed country retreat.

The Culinary Experience

For anyone who has dined or lived in Brooklyn over the past twenty years, chef Dan Cipriani’s name is likely well-known. He has been the creative force behind Urban Rustic, Sea Wolf, and Gemelli, all located in New York City’s trendiest borough. (Cipriani also previously ran the now-closed Lodge in Williamsburg and the Playland Motel in the Rockaways.) Dandelion, the restaurant at Eastwind Oliverea Valley, marks Cipriani’s debut as a full-service restaurant operator outside of New York City.

The menu at Dandelion features a concise yet thoughtfully crafted selection, served in a stylish building that also serves as the hotel’s reception and lounge. The offerings focus on comfort food with a foraged, farm-to-table flair: consider house-made ricotta cavatelli intertwined with wild mushrooms, succulent short ribs glazed with gochujang and accompanied by blistered shishito peppers, and a richly flavored, herb-centric lohikeitto—a modern twist on traditional Finnish chowder made with steelhead trout.

The wine list mirrors the menu’s compactness, with a greater selection of whites compared to reds, showcasing prominent regions such as Italy, California, France, Australia, Argentina, Austria, and South Africa. Apart from two options sourced from Boston and San Diego (including an alcohol-free choice), the beer menu focuses on local breweries within a short drive, including Catskill Brewery, Woodstock Brewing (Phoenicia), Another Moon Brewing (Livingston), and Return Brewing (Hudson). A full bar is available, offering classic cocktails that are enjoyable. Reservations are highly recommended: during my visit, the restaurant was consistently full each night with a blend of hotel guests and visitors from nearby towns. (I even encountered an acquaintance from the city who was staying at a nearby Airbnb.)

While Dandelion serves only dinner, guests at Eastwind Oliverea can request a snack board featuring locally sourced meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and an assortment of pickled items to be delivered throughout the day. Breakfast baskets—ordered via text the night before and available from 8 to 10:30 a.m.—include fresh fruit, boiled eggs, Greek yogurt topped with berries and house-made granola, along with freshly baked mini chocolate croissants, butter croissants, and rolls.

Staff and Service

The service is communicative, considerate, and warm. During my visit, owners Boyer and Cipriani were present and approachable, making personal visits to our cabin on different occasions to deliver food and address an issue with our door. The property is also dog-friendly, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure my large and occasionally anxious Borzoi was comfortable—rearranging furniture in the restaurant, providing him with water, and checking in to ensure he was doing well.

Note: You will likely lose cell service upon approaching the hotel grounds, or even before that. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, and upon check-in, you will receive a text message with instructions for accessing your room. You can also use this method to order food, request supplies, or ask any questions.

Accessibility

Many of the property’s walkways are composed of gravel or mulch, and several rooms feature stairs or lofts with steep staircases. Hotel staff are on hand to assist with transporting items to and from your accommodations, and deliveries can be made directly to your door. At night, pathways are illuminated by string lights from the main lodge, while other lighting remains minimal.

Going the Extra Mile

Bicycles are available for guest use on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s a trailhead leading to Balsam and Eagle mountains just off the property. You can easily spend time relaxing by the communal firepit, and the complimentary s’mores kits enhance the feeling of a stylish summer camp experience. Two saunas—one dry and one infrared—are located a short walk from the main lobby and can be accessed with a code; an in-ground pool is set to open later this year. During the warmer months, Eastwind Oliverea Valley offers activities such as a complimentary 30-minute foraging walk followed by a cocktail tasting.