Oak & Violet - Hilltop Cabin

A Vibrant Cabin in the Catskills with Nods to Dorothy Draper

Optimistic and energetic, this cabin retreat in New York's idyllic Hudson Valley was renovated with joy by its owner and her family and friends. Tucked away in the Catskills, the dwelling rests on a hillside overlooking wooded terrain. With glass sliding doors in both the living room and dining room, you'll be treated to expansive views of the peaceful landscape.

Peppy, eclectic interiors with high ceilings are a bit English country house and a bit Palm Beach. We love the sun-filled dining room with its banana leaf wallpaper, Spanish tiles and pomegranate pink rug. The home also has a wood burning stove.

Outdoors, you might take a dip in the safety-fenced, salt-water heated pool, open in the summer months, do some yoga on the sizable 2,000 square foot deck overlooking the forest, or decompress in the new outdoor sauna. There is also a full-size tennis court with a basketball hoop and a large BBQ grill. Step off the deck, and you'll be in a wonderland for hiking, fishing and exploring (15.5 acres to be exact).

Just two hours away from New York City, you could be sinking into an Adirondack chair around the fire-pit with friends, a forest of pines purifying your every cell. Or taking your own artist's retreat in Hudson Valley, historically a magnet for writers, painters and craftspeople.

This two-bedroom vacation rental in Hudson Valley features one full bathroom and a loft sleeping space with one full-size bed. There is a well-appointed kitchen, but please note there is no dishwasher. 

Additional features

Please note that the pool is open annually spring to early fall (May 22 to October 7th, 2024) and is fenced for safety. Owners supply 50 gallons of gas weekly for running the pool heater, and daily usage is monitored with guests charged for overages. The pool heater use is restricted to the hours of 8am to 6pm daily for energy conservation purposes. All guests must sign a pool waiver. Please take care to turn on the pool heater only when swimming and turn off the pool heater when the pool is not in use.

Around

Located only two hours from New York City and 20 minutes to Woodstock, the cabin is located on a quiet road, on a private driveway, within the budding town of Kerhonkson (also known as Kerhampton).

Nature enthusiasts should consider the 4.6 mile Overlook Mountain trail, one of best spots in the Catskills, or the Big Deep, a semi-secret swimming hole near the home, both near the home.

A bit farther out, there is Minnewaska State Park, a 22,275-acre preserve located on the Shawangunk Ridge, beloved for its picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and swimming. Other great day and nature trips are Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and Esopus Creek.

Devoted art lovers from New York City have surely made the pilgrimage to Storm King Art Center, an open-air museum located in Mountainville with a fantastic collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures. Also worth a visit is Opus 40, a large environmental sculpture in Saugerties, on over 6.5 acres of bluestone quarry.

To get a taste of the local art and farm community, visit the Woodstock flea market (every Saturday and Sunday) or the Woodstock Farm Festival (Wednesdays only).

Woodstock and Hudson Valley are also attracting exceptional culinary and hospitality talent these days. A few of the owner's favorites are Shindig, Cucina and Phoenicia Diner. 

Location

Kerhonkson, New York. Nearest airport: LaGuardia Airport (101 miles) or JFK International (113 miles) 

Best time to visit

July through October for the best weather and outdoor activities. Fall foliage spotters like to come in September or October, and hiking is also great in the spring.