The Makings Of Greatness
Upstate New York’s Surprise Of The Year
By Bailey Beckett
Hudson Valley is a picturesque destination for New Yorkers, filled with cozy restaurants, charming antique shops, and friendly locals. Add in a top-notch hotel that can rival the most luxurious Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, or Peninsula. It’s the find of the year: The Maker, an 11-room property sweeping over three historical buildings that redefine curation and ambiance. Expertly choreographed with an exquisite eye toward aesthetics, the hotel’s design blends such influences as 19th-century industrial, La Belle Époque, and Art Deco effortlessly. It’s a feast for your senses.
“During my travels, I always felt there was an opportunity to expand the hospitality experience,” said co-proprietor Lev Glazman, who previously founded the global beauty brand Fresh with his partner Alina Roytberg. “We knew we could execute The Maker concept in Hudson Valley because the area was so rich with artisans, history, and design, and it was the perfect location. Moving away from standardized design, The Maker fuses different periods, and builds a home where this eclectic design can exist harmoniously.”
A CURATED SANCTUARY
Glazman and Roytberg partnered with hospitality expert Damien Janowicz in developing The Maker, which they describe as “a curated sanctuary with bohemian sensibilities.” Working with a global group of artisans, artists, craftsmen, and builders, they preserved many elements of the 14,000-square-foot property, including ornate fireplaces in guest rooms, wood floorings, decorative stained glass, foyer mosaic tiles, and hand-painted ceilings to create an otherworldly experience—one that bends time from past to present.
Sixth generation furniture restorer Gary Keegan rebuilt original fireplace mantles, antiques, and furniture. Simultaneously, artist Michael Allen painted an ethereal mural inspired by the Hudson Valley landscape on burlap in The Maker Restaurant. The Maker even enlisted Lighting designer Steven McKay to create custom light fixtures throughout the property. But seventy percent of the hotel is vintage, including one-of-a-kind antique pieces, restored relics, extensive art from Glazman’s personal collection, and new pieces built from various salvaged elements. The result is surprising: a global ethos shaped by decades of travel.
RETAIL THERAPY
Six of the eleven guest rooms can best be described as “signature suites,” expertly curated to reflect varying time periods. Guests can buy many of the custom pieces found in the hotel, including custom beds designed by Glazman and architect Kipp Edick that reflect a modern interpretation of antique French Louis XV style beds, Italian linen robes by Society Limonata, lightly scented boiled cashmere throws by private0204; light fixtures created by Glazman in collaboration with Early Electric; and Fresh beauty products. The Maker Shop also offers exclusive personal items for sales, including the limited-edition The Maker Hudson Eau de Parfum. This gender-neutral, woody, spicy fragrance captures the vibrant essence of the Hudson Valley.
WINE & DINE
Adding to the experience are three dining options, including The Maker Café, inspired by cafes in Paris and Vienna; The Maker Lounge, an intimate hideaway, cocktail bar and patio in the converted Carriage House with soaring ceilings and a Belgian 1878 Neoclassical fireplace with an ornately carved fireplace mantle, and the floor-to-ceiling mirror is restored from the 18th century; and The Maker Restaurant, housed in a glass-ceiling conservatory enveloped in layers of greenery and textural details. Executive chef Michael works with local farms and purveyors to offer seasonal contemporary American fare.
In short, The Maker has the makings of an extraordinary hotel, easily one of America’s best boutique experiences. Open Thursday through Monday; for more information on The Maker,
visit: themaker.com
