Troutbeck

The bucolic Troutbeck is a family-friendly home base for exploring the Hudson Valley.

• The renovated Benton House suites, each with private outdoor space
• The coziness of the Manor House library, perfect for reading a book by the fire
• The relaxed nature of the property and staff

​Stretched along​ the​ ​borders of ​Connecticut and Massachusetts​, the scenic Hudson Valley has been home to humanists and artists for centuries, including Troutbeck’s one-time owner, the poet-naturalist Myron Benton. A peer of Emerson and Thoreau, Benton was born and raised in Amenia and lived on this estate in the late 19th century. Today, his former manor house-turned-hotel offers a countryside escape that is easily reached from New York by a two-hour train or car ride for travelers looking to trade the urban bustle for some rural relaxation.

The 37 guest rooms and suites are spread between the Manor House (built in 1919), Benton House (formerly the Century House, with 13 newly renovated guest rooms and suites by Champalimaud Design, each with private outdoor space), Benton Cottage and Garden House. All feature modern and simple décor, including Frette linens, Malin + Goetz products and heated floors in the bathrooms. Guests can also hunker down in the hotel’s intimate public spaces, including a library, sun room where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch and various nooks for reading or playing board games in front of a crackling fire. The hotel’s restaurant draws visitors and locals alike for its farm-to-table fare, which is directly sourced from small farms in the neighboring valley. On Monday nights the chef holds a Pasta Night, serving delicious creations with a wine-pairing.

The 250-acre property lends itself to simple relaxation and outdoor activities that cater to both families and couples. There are two tennis courts, a small outdoor pool (open in the summertime) and four trout pools accessible only to guests. Near the tennis courts are “The Barns,” which offer a range of wellness services and amenities—treatment rooms, changing rooms and saunas, as well as a gym and a 1,250-square-foot space basking in natural light for yoga and Pilates studio classes. The surrounding area has multiple biking and hiking trails, ​and the property can arrange guided fishing excursions, river rafting trips, horseback riding and skiing in the winter. Troutbeck also offers access to the nearby towns of Millbrook and Salisbury, but other notable sites—including the open-air museum and sculpture park at Storm King Art Center—are located more than an hour away, so a car is recommended for further exploration.

Couples and families looking for a cozy, value-oriented home base in the Hudson Valley that is easily accessible from New York.

Those who need ​a full spa​ and ​wellness element. Travelers who prefer an adults-only environment should ​consider​ Glenmere Mansion, since Troutbeck accepts ​children​ of all ages.