GREAT ESCAPES

Rock on at Hotel Dylan

By Berkeley Brooks

 

If you are looking for a retreat with a distinctive beat, look no further than Hotel Dylan in Woodstock. The guest rooms are named after rock ‘n’ roll icons and come equipped with Crosley record players. There are even underwater speakers in the saltwater pool, which help amp up your strokes.

 

The Dylan, a newly renovated boutique hotel, is a diamond in the rustic Catskills. Rye’s Paul and Jacqueline Covello, and their partners, have created a chic getaway.

 

The 700,000-acre Catskill Park draws hikers and nature lovers in spring, summer, and fall, and skiers in winter. The local swimming hole, Big Deep, is surrounded by glorious trees and hiking trails that allow for an expansive view of the Saw Kill, a tributary of the Hudson River. American artist Thomas Cole expressed the landscape best: “Must I tell you that neither the Alps nor the Apennines, nor even Aetna itself, have dimmed, in my eyes, the beauty of the Catskills.”

 

The town of Woodstock needs no overture; it’s been a haven for artists and musicians for decades. The ambiance is laid back and cool, and the galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants are places you’ll want to linger.

 

Arguably, the best restaurant in town is the Santa Fe at the hotel, where you’ll enjoy some of the best margaritas anywhere, along with piquant Mexican cuisine.

 

Hotel Dylan is a perfect place to unwind, gather around fire pits, and listen to classic vinyl in one of the most scenic parts of the country.