It’s hard to envision a Tuscan villa this majestic, well, anywhere besides Tuscany. Yet, an hour outside of New York City, in the lower Hudson Valley town of Chester, sits Glenmere Mansion—a Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel that looks like it was plucked out of the Italian countryside.
With marble-columned porticoes, grand staircases, and miles of verdant, rolling hills as far as the eye can see, it’s easy to see why Glenmere has become one of the area’s premiere wedding venues. And that’s largely due to its 150 acres of well-manicured gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand, America’s first female landscape architect.
When they are not hosting lavish events at the estate, you can spend a night or more in one of their 18 stately guest rooms and suites, of which no two are alike. Some have expansive terraces and fireplaces, and some boast separate seating areas and studies, but rest assured: They all include a well-appointed mix of fine art and antiques meticulously arranged by interior designer Scott Snyder. Plus, some of the dreamiest beds you’ll sink into and have a hard time leaving. Except, for perhaps, to have a soak in your marble en suite bathroom that sets the scene for luxurious self-care with heated floors, claw-foot tubs, and Acqua di Parma products.
The R&R doesn’t stop there. Although there are plenty of 5-star spas in the Hudson Valley, Glenmere is the only hotel that features both a Carrara marble bathhouse and an authentic Turkish hammam. In keeping with the opulent theme throughout the property, their 8,000-square-foot spa focuses on centuries-old water therapies from around the world and offers an over-the-top circuit to take you through an herbal steam room, dry heat sauna, stimulating Swiss shower, and cool mist room, before you wade into the central aqua massage vitality pool.
Their team of highly-trained estheticians has spent years creating a well-curated selection of face and body treatments that rival some of the best in the world, but the top contender is the Moroccan Purification Ritual. This begins with a full body exfoliation on a heated marble belly stone, followed by a detoxifying clay wrap, warm water cleanse, and finally, a heavenly head-to-toe Argan oil application. After that, you’ll be led to the relaxation library for some post-treatment tapas and organic tea because everything they do here is next-level luxe.
When you’re feeling peckish, there are not one but two onsite restaurants downstairs, helmed by Executive Chef Gunnar Thompson. Frogs End is a cozy little tavern off the main entrance, filled with vintage chess boards, frog-themed knick-knacks, and warm woods. Here, you can order a cheesy crock of French onion soup for lunch or pop in for a fireside burger off the secret list and a nightcap at the bar.
The Supper Room leans more formal for dinner with a farm-to-table menu to match. Think twinkling chandeliers, candlelit tables dressed in white linens, and plenty of locally sourced fish and game, plus desserts drizzled with honey from the bee colonies cared for on the property.
When the weather permits, their central courtyard, The Cortile, is a stunning al fresco setting for a romantic dinner or to sneak in some late afternoon lounging and reading. Glenmere’s impressive wine cellar also holds thousands of local and rare vintages, which they highlight in their ongoing Wine Dinner Series.
Top Takeaways
Location: Chester, New York
Star-Rating: Five-star
The Vibe: Quiet luxury in the Hudson Valley.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel? Meandering through the formal gardens, right over to the hen house where you can feed their flock of heritage breed chickens who keep Glenmere supplied with freshly laid eggs for omelets each day.
Food + Drink: Frogs End tavern and bar and The Cortile for lunch and dinner, or The Supper Room for breakfast and dinner. In-room dining is also available.
Any Neighborhood Recs? Plan a day trip to the much-lauded Storm King Art Center. This open-air museum hosts the largest collection of contemporary sculptures in the United States and is only 25 minutes away.
Amenities: Outdoor pool, pavilion, whirlpool spa, and fitness center, 2 har-tru tennis courts, two har-tru bocce courts, a championship croquet court, an award-winning spa, and a luxury Volvo SUV house car for complimentary use.
What’s Nearby? Brotherhood Winery (America’s oldest winery), shops and antiques in Historic Hudson, West Point Military Academy, Woodbury Common Outlets, Dia: Beacon Art Museum, Bear Mountain State Park, and Jones Farm for apple and pumpkin picking.
Rooms: 18
Pricing: $750-$2,675 a night.
Closest Airport: Newburgh or White Plains.
