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INNESS Country Resort

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5 mins ago

Living in a city of skyscrapers has its moments, but more often than not, winter is the time of year when New Yorkers flee to coastlines that promise sunnier days. If the cold weather messes with your serotonin levels, and you often find yourself reminiscing about your last tropical trip, plummeting further into the winter blues is unnecessary.

What if, instead of running from the first sign of snow, you embraced it? And no, this isn’t another ski trip; a quick two-hour drive will land you at the INNESS country resort to enjoy the comforts of slow living—because winter can be beautiful, too.

Background

INNESS started as an aspiration between husband and wife. The story goes: One long summer night, design powerhouse Taavo Somer and his spouse were cleaning up the remnants after what started as a small get-together with friends and progressively grew into a full-fledged party. The couple imagined a world where they could still host but without the worry of clean-up. Six years later, the lovers late-night musings became a 220-acre country resort.

Somer’s success didn’t come to fruition on a whim; his background in architectural design and past successes in hospitality (Freemans), combined with his knowledge of the Hudson Valley region, gave the entrepreneur a competitive edge. These resources imbue the space with a chic refinement, but those first wishes from that summer night of sharing home, nature, and community make INNESS an ideal space for your winter recharge.

Location

Location is key to INNESS’ appeal. The resort has an extensive network of grounds, and sits between the Catskill and Shawagunk mountains in Accord, New York. While only a twenty-minute drive from the next town over, the property has a private quality that makes you feel like the mountains are yours alone.

Maybe the maze of winding roads on the way there or the less populated winter months that bring this sense of serenity. It could also be the natural wildlife (and yes, wildlife exists in the winter months). The deer and birds along the fields are easier to spot without the cover of foliage. The nine-hole golf course isn’t seasonal, either, but if you’re feeling apprehensive about playing because of the cold, the rolling hills can alternatively become an extension of your hike with a warm cup of coffee in hand.

Accommodation

Love for the land isn’t diminished once you’ve made it inside. The twelve-bedroom farmhouse and 28 free-standing cabins all have sprawling windows that let natural light in and provide a constant view. Design group Post Company plays off the resort’s appreciation for nature by using the design principles of Dutch settlers. Whether you choose to stay in the privacy of your own cabin or prefer the more communal feel of a Farmhouse room, you will see a rustic simplicity mirrored throughout every space. The theme is uncomplicated, and who doesn’t need a little more ease in their day-to-day?

INNESS is a quiet reminder of what your soul needs, rather than overindulging in your wants. This isn’t to say the amenities that are included aren’t high quality; rather, they’re chosen with intention, from the crisp white Frette linens, robes, and slippers to locally sourced snacks and natural wines. If you opt for a cabin, you’ll have your own deck for lazy mornings, and a Fellow Clara French Press and Intelligentsia Coffee, while you set your intention for the day ahead. Softer mood lighting enhances the overall ambiance, letting the natural light filter through. Despite being your respite from the rest of the world, complimentary Wi-Fi and Staycast television allow for the occasional check-in.

While not every room offers a wood-burning stove, you will have no trouble finding a roaring fire to cozy up to. The Farmhouse living room, restaurant, and screened-in porch all have blazing fires. Outside, at check-in, bonfires line the top of the hill, which overlooks the property’s acreage. The Farmhouse setup mimics a family home: coffee table books for browsing in the library, billiards in the game room, milk in the fridge to help yourself to, and rocking chairs on the porch.

Food & Beverages

Community and ease make their way into The Restaurant at INNESS. You can call to make a reservation from your room and arrange for the complimentary Jeep shuttle to pick you up and bring you back to the couch. However, you may find yourself lingering for a while because the dining rooms are charming in their own right, with antique Belgian church chairs, sofas, and a Mediterranean menu that features handmade pasta and bread. The Snowdance Farm Chicken is a crowd favorite for dinner, and the seasonal cocktails have a fun winter spin, with names like Sweater Weather, Hot Buttered Rum (with winter baking spices), and Slumbering Bees. There’s always room for dessert, right? Trust us when we say you must try the salted sticky toffee pudding.

You can also call the restaurant directly from your room and have your meals delivered. Once your food has arrived, you can eat in the comfort of your own space, use the Farmhouse grand dining room to share a meal with friends, and help yourself to a drink from the honor bar (no watered-down drinks here). Additionally, there is warm apple cider in the check-in building that you can help yourself to throughout the day in the winter months.

Wellness & Leisure

The rooms are cozy, the dining room is grand, the acreage is expansive — but you may still wonder what to do in this rural hamlet during the colder months. The answer is: a lot. The website has an event calendar offering activities like yoga, workout classes, the occasional soiree like The Disco Chalet, oil painting courses, chess happy hour, and cooking courses with communal meals. There is also a 7,000-square-foot Spa with a retail area for your favorite products during your massage, a relaxation nook, a dojo, and a complimentary bathhouse for overnight guests.

For those willing to brave the cold, the King Collins Golf 9-hole golf course is open during the winter and constructed for all levels. There are also two handcourts for tennis. You can let your inner child out with some friendly competition using the obstacle course dotted across the outside fields, or at least enjoy watching other grown adults crawl through wire-y obstacles.