Experience a Catskills

Looking to slow down and destress a little? Attend to your mindfulness, maybe connect more with nature? What you probably need is a “calm-cation.” It’s a slower-paced break that considers both your personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet. A calm-cation is all about connecting with nature and slowing down. And a perfect choice for one is a stay at Eastwind Hotel + Bar in the Catskills hamlet of Windham, NY.

Connect with nature in the Catskills
Eastwind Hotels – there are three of them - are a Catskills-born boutique hospitality brand known for its upscale glamping concept with an emphasis on connecting with nature. And with the relaunch of its flagship property, Eastwind Hotel + Bar in Windham, guests have an additional option for accommodations beyond the brand’s signature glamping design. Eastwind Windham recently unveiled its new Mountain House and its inviting casual restaurant, Dandies. Both additions expand the property’s experience, yet both also retain Eastwind’s defining objective of connecting with nature.

Scandi-chic design
Located on a hillside overlooking Windham Mountain, the Mountain House features 12 sleekly-styled rooms in Eastwind’s signature Scandi-chic design emphasizing simplicity, functionality, natural materials, and, naturally, a strong connection to nature. The Mountain King room features slate-tiled floors, a liberal use of natural wood (even on the ceilings), and an oversized picture window with sitting nook with a view that invites the outdoors inside.

We loved soaking in views of Windham Mountain’s ski trails and the neighboring peaks while relaxing in our mountain King with mugs of complimentary pour-over coffee. The other Mountain House room styles – Forest King, Mountain Studio Suites, and Pine Suite - are just as successful in creating the desired serene and functional effect.

Eastwind Windham now offers a total of 32 guestrooms. In addition to the 12 Mountain House rooms, Eastwind’s hillside is dotted with Scandinavian-designed cabins – Lushna “minimalist” Cabins and Lushna Suites – both offering the resort’s idea of camping without sacrificing comforts. There are also a few Bunkhouse rooms designed with the same Scandinavian-inspired interiors. 

Amenities –
with complimentary S’mores
Amenities include private decks and fire pits (complimentary S’mores kits provided) for many of these accommodations, two Scandinavian-style saunas immersed in nature, and hammocks to while away the hours. Also complimentary are snowshoes in winter, bikes for warmer months, EV charging stations, and Hunter Rain Boots for keeping feet dry no matter the weather. In addition to guestrooms, the Bunkhouse has a cozy lounge with a fireplace and a welcoming bar serving hand-shaken cocktails, beer, wine and simple fare. Dog lovers will love Eastwind, as it is dog-friendly and expansive giving your furry friend plenty of space to explore. Eastwind Hotel + Bar earned a One Key distinction in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide.

Dandies – a fun dining concept Also recently introduced is Eastwind’s newest food concept – Dandies. With a little upscale approach to barbeque classics and innovative comfort food, Dandies is a great place to gather, enjoy good food, cold beer, craft cocktails, and your favorite coffee beverage. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and sweeping views of the Catskills in the modern glasshouse restaurant, outdoors in the seasonal biergarten, or the elevated picnic spots. Dandies’ glasshouse has an open, modern, Scandinavian feel, with vintage brick flooring, carousel fireplace, and retro whimsical light fixtures.

The menu offers plates, including Bone-in Short Ribs, Smoked half Chicken, Cedar-Grilled Steelhead Trout, and Crispy Trumpet Mushrooms. Hearty sandwiches include Masa-Dusted Shrimp, BBQ Chicken, Grilled Burger, and Short Rib. Plates come a choice of two sides including Root Vegetables, Charred Delicata Squash, Polenta, and Mac & Cheese. The breakfast menu includes breakfast sandwiches and a few specialties such as Short Rib Hash and Sweet or Savory Norwegian Pancakes. A full coffee and espresso station offers a variety of hot drinks. Check the website for all operating hours.

One option for breakfast is to have a Breakfast Basket delivered to your room/cabin. This way you can stay ensconced in your room or on your private deck and enjoy the mountain and forest views while enjoying your basket of coffee or tea, fruit juice, hard boiled eggs, yogurt & granola, and pastries & fruit.

Other ways to connect with nature include a wide selection of hikes in the area, including Eastwind’s own well marked/lit nature trail right on the property. Eastwind’s website includes an interactive map of these hikes as well as other Catskills activities and things to explore. We took some time to view Kaaterskill Falls in nearby Palenville. And of course there is plenty of great skiing at Windham Mountain.

More Eastwind properties Located a little further into the Catskills is Eastwind’s second Catskills property, Eastwind Oliverea Valley. This newly-built 26 room hotel includes Eastwind’s signature Lushna Cabins & Suites and a hillside building with their elegant, Scandinavian-designed King Rooms. Accommodations offer either sunrise or sunset views. Amenities include many of the same offerings as Eastwind Windham, such as complimentary snowshoes, bikes, Hunter Rain Boots, dry saunas, communal fire pit (complimentary s’mores, of course), and cozy hammock area. An inviting year-round heated pool and infrared cabin are also available.

Tucked away on the property and surrounded by nature, the Glasshouse is a versatile space made almost entirely of glass. It’s an ideal setting for private dinners, wellness retreats, creative workshops, and fitness classes.  

In the main pavilion is Dandelion, a restaurant and bar, serving a4n ever-changing menu of international comfort food and well-made cocktails. Dandelion focuses on seasonally appropriate foods with a “forage to fork” ethos, accompanied by adventurous spirit-infused drinks. ‘ 

Eastwind’s third property located in the Adirondacks in Lake Placid occupies a completely renovated historic motor lodge. Located in the heart of historic Lake Placid and walking distance to town, Eastwind Lake Placid offers a bar & lounge, vintage library, sauna and private dining room. Accommodations include a variety of King or Queen rooms with Mid-century vintage styling as well as Eastwind’s signature Lushna Petite and Suite cabins, for that camping feeling without sacrificing the necessary comforts. Amenities are very similar to Eastwind’s other properties.  

For more information on Eastwind Windham and the properties in Oliverea Valley and Lake Placid
visit www.eastwindhotels.com