Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Summer Flowers Bloom in the Hudson Valley

The summer flowers are in full bloom here at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spaand the gardens and grounds are alive with color!

A quick walk around our property revealed these gorgeous examples- take a look at the photos and see how many you can name!


hudson valley resort summer flowers

hudson valley resort summer flowershudson valley resort summer flowers

hudson valley resort summer flowers

hudson valley resort summer flowersButterfly on hudson valley resort summer flowers

hudson valley resort summer flowers

hudson valley resort summer flowersButterfly on hudson valley resort summer flowers

There's never been a better time to visit the Hudson Valley than right now!  With Summer in full bloom, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is offering sizzling summer savings this weekend- just $79* per room (per night, July 27-29).  
Come explore the Hudson Valley, and enjoy our resort amenities!  We're just 90 miles from NYC and feature a full service European Health Spa, 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, fitness centers, tennis and basketball courts, Crystal Clear swimming pools, arcade center, and so much more!

Opportunities like this don't come along often, so call our reservations department at 845-626-8888 today! 


Monday, July 23, 2012

Sizzling Summer Savings this weekend only: Just $79 per night!

Recently named a Top 10 US Travel Destination by Lonely Planet, there’s never been a better time to visit the Hudson Valley- by taking advantage of this sizzling summer special, you can beat the city heat this weekend for only $79* per night! 

Perfectly situated in the heart of the Shawangunk Mountains and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect weekend escape.

Explore the beautiful Hudson Valley while staying in style and enjoying our resort amenities!

With a challenging 18-hole par 71 Championship golf course and a full service health spa on site, enjoy our indoor or outdoor pools, fitness centers, tennis and basketball courts, an arcade center, and more!

However you choose to spend your time, you can beat the city heat and get away to the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa while enjoying the best deal around!


Awosting Falls at Minnewaska
Located just 90 miles from New York City and adjacent to Minnewaska State Park, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect escape from summer in the city.

Deals this good don’t come along often, so act now! 

Call our reservations department today at 888-948-3766 and be sure to mention “Sizzling Summer Savings” to receive this special rate!

Download and Read complete details about this Sizzling Summer Savings special here!

*This is a limited time offer, subject to availability.  Does not apply to existing reservations.  Rate is per room, per night for July 27th, 28th, and 29th.  Meals are not included. NYS taxes and resort fees apply.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Upstate Conference Center and Meeting Facilities for Group Retreats

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Shawangunk Mountains and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the Conference Center at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for group events of every kind.

Hudson Valley Conference Center
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Performance workshops and cultural events. Religious and fraternal retreats.  Golf outings or awards banquets:  With over   41,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, performance venues and banquet halls, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the easy choice for hosting groups of all sizes.

If your group is looking for a selection of formal meeting rooms, or if you prefer more casual arrangements, we can accommodate your needs!

Choose from the Executive Conference Center, the historic Manhattan theater, or add an air of elegance to your event with the impressive Grand Ballroom.

Whether your group is big or small, here for business or pleasure, we're certain to have just the facilities you're looking for!

Of course, we all know that sometimes more business gets done on the golf course than the meeting room.  The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa has you covered.  

Hudson Valley Golf CourseAs challenging as it is beautiful, the golf course at Hudson Valley Resort features rolling hills, peaceful ponds, long lush fairways and perfectly manicured greens.

When it's time to slow down and relax, take a trip to The Spa!  Whether you want to ease your mind and body with massage, or enjoy the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, you're sure to walk out refreshed.

Also featuring a fitness center, indoor & outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts, and so much more, conferencing at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the fun way to keep your group focused and engaged.

Whether your group is big or small, here for business or pleasure, we're certain to have just the facilities you're looking for.

Popular Group Retreats


Religious and Fraternal Retreats

Formerly known as “The Granit Hotel”, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa has been meeting the special needs of religious and fraternal organizations for more than 50 years!

Religious Retreats
With professional event planners on site, we will work with you to custom tailor our services and offer the tools you need to deliver your message and inspire your congregation.  


We know how important it is to cater to your group’s cultural tastes and dietary preferences, so ethnic cuisine and kosher affairs are available!   


Seniors Groups

Just minutes from the region’s best shopping and historical attractions, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect destination for today’s mature travelers.

Seniors Group OutingsPlanned daytime activities can include shuffleboard, mini-golf, horseshoe pitching, bocce, bingo for prizes, games, musical quizzes, sing-a-longs, dance classes, and more!

Senior groups also enjoy free use of our resort amenities, receive golf discounts, and will find comfortable, accessible and well appointed rooms at very reasonable rates.  


Concert Events and Performance Workshops

Concert Organizer VenueThe Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is a popular venue with concert organizers and performance directors- from grand concerts to intimate workshops, our versatile rehearsal and recital spaces encourage music, theater and dance groups to share their ideas while honing their craft.

The stage is set for your featured concerts in the historic Manhattan Theater.  Grammy award winners Pattie LaBelle, Faith Evans, and Chaka Khan have all delivered powerful performances in this venue, and so can you!

Golf Group Getaways

Surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa offers a fun and challenging 18 hole par 71 Championship golf course which draws golf groups from all over the northeast.  

Golf Group OutingFeaturing rolling hills, flowing creeks, beautiful ponds, and long, lush fairways, the golf course will put every part of your game to the test.  

After the 18th hole, you’ll enjoy delicious outdoor BBQ lunches, relax at the bar, or socialize with your friends in one of our well appointed hospitality rooms! 





The Manhattan Theater

Manhattan Theater Conference SpaceThe historic Manhattan Theater is just the place to showcase your presentations or keynote speakers, conduct training seminars, and feature concerts by your talented performers!

With classroom-style seating for 300 people, superior natural acoustics, professional stage lighting and modern sound system available, there’s no better way to engage your audience. 

The Executive Conference Center

Hudson Valley Conference Center
Our Executive Conference Center is the perfect setting for receptions, interactive presentations, private ceremonies, team-building exercises, encounter sessions, and more.

Featuring high-speed internet and wide selection of audio and visual equipment available, our flexible meeting and conference rooms can comfortably accommodate anywhere from 15 – 1050 people!

The Grand Ballroom

Hudson Valley Ballroom Prefer to dance and dine beneath the charming glow of crystal chandeliers? Add a touch of elegance to your affair in the Grand Ballroom!  

Featuring more than 11,000 square feet of versatile and comfortable space, we can banquet up to 1,200 and easily customize the seating and floor arrangements to suit your needs!

The Garden Terrace Tent

Hudson Valley Wedding VenueHighlighting the gorgeous natural setting of our Shawangunk Mountain property, it’s no surprise that the Garden Terrace Tent is a popular option for formal outdoor ceremonies and wedding receptions.

This graceful 6,000 square foot pavilion featuring 30’ high vaulted fabric ceilings and warm natural lighting is surely an event setting to remember!



Accommodations and Resort Amenities:



Hudson Valley Conference Center Room
Comfortable, clean, and spacious, the room choices at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa are all well appointed and designed with your group in mind.

It is our goal to exceed your expectations, so each of our 270 guest rooms and suites have been fully refurbished to offer both comfortable surroundings and modern conveniences.


Room amenities include internet access, marble bathrooms, coffee makers, hair dryers, iron & ironing boards, and more.

In order to customize your group’s experience at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa, tower rooms, balcony rooms, and golf course and Mountain View rooms may be available upon request.

With so many rooming options available, we’re certain that we’ll be able to satisfy your group’s particular preferences.

Refrigerators and roll-away beds are available, and because we’re a pet friendly hotel we’ll be happy to accommodate your four-footed friend for a nominal fee!  

Suite Options

Of course, your group’s organizers and VIPs can expect nothing but the best when staying in one of our well-appointed luxury suites! 

Hudson Valley Conference Center RoomWhether you choose the king suite with attached living room, bar and balcony, the intimate and romantic Jacuzzi suite, or the warm and welcoming fireplace suite, it’s sure to be the perfect place for your group’s directors to relax, refresh, and regroup!

Our suites are always in high demand, so be sure to speak with your event planner to discuss your options!


The Spa at Hudson Valley Resort

When it’s time to unwind, come pay a visit our beautiful full-service European Health Spa!

Conference Center SpaOffering a full menu of massage and body treatments, the Spa at Hudson Valley Resort also features clean and modern Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam rooms!   

Free guest use of the Spa facilities is included in all group packages, and there’s no better way for your group to revitalize, and rejuvenate! 

New to the spa experience?  Our friendly and courteous staff is on hand help you make the most of your visit!

Golf at the Hudson Valley Resort

Winding through the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains, the golf course at Hudson Valley Resort is a beautiful 18-hole par 71, 6350-yard championship course which is enjoyable for all levels of play. 

Golf Resort Group OutingSurrounded by gorgeous Catskill Views, the course features rolling hills, flowing creeks, ponds, lush fairways and challenging greens to put your game to the test.

Whether your group plays golf as the highlight of your getaway, or as a fun team-building exercise, groups of all sizes are sure to enjoy their time on the green!  



Your group is sure to love the endless opportunities for leisure, activity and entertainment at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa!

Hudson Valley Conference Center AmenitiesFeaturing crystal clear indoor and outdoor pools, glass enclosed fitness centers, tennis and basketball courts, an arcade center, children’s playground, gift shops and more, we also offer seasonal outdoor recreational activities such as horeshoes pitching and bocce, cross country skiing and sledding!

Any time of year, you’ll find the perfect way to keep your group conference both fun and engaging!   


Experience the Conference Center at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa

Hudson Valley Conference Center Mountain View
Located just 90 miles from New York City, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is gracefully set among 400 pristine acres and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views.  

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Shawangunk Mountains and adjacent to Minnewaska State Park, your group will love experiencing the natural setting nearly as much as they will enjoy our conference center and resort amenities!

So take a look at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa for your next group event, retreat, or conference!  You’ll be sure to agree that our resort accommodations and versatile conferencing options are the perfect choice for your next group retreat or conference!  

To learn more about group retreats and conferencing opportunities at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa, or to begin planning your next event, call group sales at 888.948.3766 today!






Friday, July 6, 2012

Spa and Fitness Center Membership For Health and Wellness


We all know that Physical fitness is an important factor in living a long and happy life, but keeping fit in the modern world can sometimes be a challenge.  For thousands living in the Hudson Valley, juggling our careers and our families leaves little time to think about our own fitness, and less time to actually do something about it.

The recent economic downturn has made it harder than ever to focus on our health and wellness.  With so many of us struggling from day to day just to make ends meet, it can be difficult to justify investing our time or money in fitness.    

The truth is, you can’t afford not to invest in your own well being – the US Center for Disease Control cites lack of physical exercise as the leading cause of chronic disease in America, and the high cost of healthcare can be as debilitating to a family as dealing with the illness itself.


Studies show that devoting just 30 minutes a day to regular fitness training can significantly improve your health and lower your risk of chronic disease. You owe it to yourself, and to your family, to find the time to work towards a healthier, happier life.

The Spa at Hudson Valley Resort is making it easier than ever for you to choose fitness.

With our new extended hours and Summer Spa Memberships available at exceptional prices, you’ll be amazed at just how simple and inexpensive keeping fit can be!

Our glass enclosed fitness center features Cybex weight training equipment, free weights, treadmills, recumbent & stationary bicycles, elliptical & step machines and more to help you tailor your workout and keep things fun!

Of course, Membership to the Spa at Hudson Valley Resort includes much more than just the use of our fitness center!  You’ll love relaxing after your workout in our beautiful, well appointed Spa!

Enjoy the Jacuzzi, Sauna and Steam Rooms, or take an invigorating swim in the pool- who knew choosing fitness could be so enjoyable?

Why not check it out?  With Day Passes also available at very reasonable rates, there’s no reason not to stop on by and find out why so many people in the Hudson Valley are choosing to invest in their health at the Spa at Hudson Valley Resort!   

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

History of the Shawangunk Berry Pickers


The Northern Shawangunk Ridge was once home to a lively seasonal community of Berry Pickers who made their living foraging the wild blueberries which thrive along the wind-swept heights of what is now Minnewaska State Park and Sam’s Point Preserve.

Beginning in the early 1700’s, rugged men and women from the area would make the long, hard journey through untamed wilds to reach these precious fruits.  A road to the ridge wouldn’t be completed until 1850, and bears and mountain lions were common.

Makeshift tarpaper squatter shacks began to appear by 1862, and many pickers would return with their families each July and stay through the season.  A good picker could forage 35 quarts of blueberries every day, which would then be sold to the local general store and shipped to Catskill resorts and to the prosperous people of New York City.

It was the completion of Smiley Road in 1901 which really opened the door for the blueberry picking camps.  By 1920, many ramshackle shanties dotted the road which supported thriving communities for one month each year, but which were ghost-towns for the others.

The berry-picking communities were lively places inhabited by good, simple folk living close to the land.  After filling their baskets from sun up to sun down, the berry pickers would gather together and tell stories, play games, dance, drink and sing.  Some rowdy camps gained a reputation for being less “family friendly” than others.

The Berry Pickers were an industrious people who knew that blueberries bushes produce the most fruit the year following a wildfire.  When the season’s last berry had been picked, it was common for the Berry Pickers to set fire to the Shawangunk ridge.  The folks who started the blaze would often return to the local saloon and await the call for firefighters- the same berry pickers who started the fires were often the people paid to help put them out!

Following World War 2, the changing world economy meant the end of an era for the Shawangunk berry pickers.  The rise of commercial blueberry farming made blueberries an inexpensive and widely available commodity, and the reduced demand for blueberries harvested in the wild made it difficult for the Berry Pickers to return.

By the close of the 1950’s, the last of the Berry Pickers had packed up their belongings, and the shanty towns have remained silent ever since.

Many artifacts of this unique part of the American Heritage still remain, and several of the Berry Picker’s shanties still stand in testimony of this forgotten era.  A walk through Sam’s Point Preserve along Old Smiley Road reveals many examples; The Nature Conservancy now operates a nature preserve here which encompasses some of the most popular berry picking sites.

Each year, the nearby town of Ellenville celebrates this rich part of our history with the Shawangunk Mountain Wild Blueberry Festival featuring performances by local musicians, handcrafted gifts, cultural events, entertainment, and of course- blueberries!  

Ideally situated just minutes from Sam’s Point Preserve and the Shawangunk Mountain Blueberry Festival, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is the perfect place to stay when exploring the historic Shawangunk Ridge.  Adjacent to Minnewaska State park and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill Views, our beautiful par 71 championship golf course and full-service European health spa creates the perfect balance of Charm and Comfort.

Featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an arcade center, tennis, basketball and so much more, you'll enjoy resort accommodations while exploring all the area has to offer!

Do you have a story to share about Blueberry picking in the Shawangunks?  Comment below, and tell us about it!

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