For New Yorkers, the Catskills have been deemed a necessary refuge from the metropolitan lifestyle since the mid-20th century. Over the years, the region’s countryside villages dotted throughout Upstate New York’s rural terrain have only grown more appealing due to an increased number of people rehabilitating the area’s old-age alpine vacation homes. Joining the fleet of new-and-improved Catskills stays is Hotel Lilien: An 1890s-built-estate-turned-boutique hotel, bar, and lounge.
Set minutes away from Hunter Mountain in the charming town of Tannersville, the hotel flaunts refurbished Victorian architecture with its soft blue-gray exterior. Once you enter, a cozy mountain lodge ambiance introduces itself, from the quaint check-in desk to the lobby’s restored wood paneling, stained glass windows, and wood-burning fireplace.
Head to the Library Room, which invites guests to sort through the various tomes stacking its bookshelves, play tunes on the grand piano, sit for a game of chess, or snuggle up with a good read in hand on the plush tufted couch.
Moving up, the wraparound carpeted staircase in the foyer brings visitors to Hotel Lillien’s 18 guestrooms and suites. Victorian settees meshed with modern decor dress each space: Contemporary light fixtures, marbled bathrooms, rain showers, and crisp Brooklinen bedding brighten naturally-lit corridors.
Classic trappings such as vintage maps of New York, mid-century Calder Exhibition posters, and original photographs of the Catskills decorate quaint in-room book nooks.
When it’s time to dine, Hotel Lilien’s timeless wood-paneled bar front and moody lounge provide an ideal setting for wetting your whistle and snacking on savory bites. The menu boasts a curated selection of wines, beers, and craft cocktails, alongside typical pub-style food items.
For drinks, consider the Mountain Thyme, which comprises 42 Below Vodka, watermelon, lime, simple syrup, club soda, and fresh thyme. For food, start with the Crispy Fries, served with an aioli dipping sauce, followed by the delicious Fried Chicken Sandwich, made with a crispy chicken breast, homemade slaw, bread & butter pickles, and a toasted potato bun. Expanding its dining options, the hotel plans to open a sister restaurant, Nat’s Mountain House, come spring 2023.
Whether it’s a summer or winter getaway, Hotel Lilien has everything one may need, from its oh-so-cozy setting to its idyllic outdoor swimming pool to its high-end seasonal gear shop featuring snow shoes, sleds, pool floaties, and more.
Top Takeaways
Location: Tannersville, New York (three hours from NYC)
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: A cozy Catskills mountain home with vintage Victorian design elements and vestiges of mid-century New York.
Food + Drink: The bar and lounge menu boasts a curated selection of wines, beers, and craft cocktails, along with pub-style food.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel? The vintage jukebox directly behind the bar area invokes a total retro feel.
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Free WiFi; Restaurant; Bar; Complimentary breakfast; Free parking; Pet-friendly
What’s Nearby? Hunter Mountain Resort; Kaaterskill Falls; Windham Mountain; Overlook Mountain; North-South Lake; Hunter Mountain
Any personal neighborhood recs? When it’s time to get outdoors, the three-mile hike from Haines Falls Historical Center to Kaaterskills Falls is the perfect place to take in the surrounding nature. After working up an appetite, a midday drink at West Kill Brewing, followed by classic American cuisine — burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs… you know the drill — at Mama’s Boy Burgers is a must.
Rooms: 18
Pricing: Rooms start at $210/night
Closest Airport: Albany International Airport
