Set on 600 acres of private Catskills countryside, The DeBruce is a chic, newly-renovated 12-key inn with an effortless sophistication and laidback aura that’s exceedingly alluring for those looking to escape the fray of New York City.
Housed in a historic 19th-century manor, Foster Supply Hospitality’s husband-and-wife duo, Kirsten and Sims Foster, restyled the home with nods to its storied lodging past while intertwining contemporary finishes. A classic front porch welcomes guests inside the decades-old building that smells of aromatic Hickory wood. Its central staircase and corner check-in desk are interrupted by two of the hotel’s main gathering spaces: The Great Room and the Conservatory.
Reflective of a modern mountain house, the naturally sunlit Great Room hosts nap-worthy seating areas, original light fixtures, plaid wallpapers, and a trail map station where guests can plan nature-filled day trips on the property grounds. Luxe faux fur throw blankets drape over leather couches in the intimate Conservatory, inviting guests to snuggle up to the original fireplace with an old-school board game or book from the hotel’s personally stacked shelves.
Vintage keys unlock the 12 minimalist-style guestrooms: maple wood upholstery, light gray accents, and expansive windows give way to sweeping views of the river and tree-covered mountainside. The ensuite bathrooms are clad in shades of sage green, adding an earthy touch to these cleanly designed spaces.
Just past the Great Room, the 38-seat crown jewel dining room sports bespoke hemlock wood tabletops and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the enchanting Willowemoc Valley. While the design here is noteworthy, the award-winning restaurant is The DeBruce’s claim to fame.
Executive Chef Eric Leveillee leads the outstanding culinary program with a forward-thinking menu that rotates around an imaginative six-season calendar — Heritage, Awakening, Stream, Farm, Harvest, and Mountain — rather than the standardized four-season calendar. Locally sourced produce is plucked from the on-site garden and neighboring Somewhere in Time Farm, enhancing the importance of fresh ingredients. The outstanding Tasting Menu is an immersive dining experience where all nine courses are served to guests simultaneously as a collective group. For the Summer 2023 curation, aesthetically pleasing, photograph-worthy small plates were spotlighted, ranging from flower-shaped Onion Petals with Grilled Cherry and Caviar, a neatly assorted Dry-Aged New York Strip with Wild Berries, and a deliciously sweet Kennebec Potato Donut with Blueberries.
After indulging in the fantastic tasting menu upstairs, tourists and locals alike can slip downstairs to the cozy Club Room for a nightcap. Alpine-chic decor swathes this tempting 10-seat bar front: stag head trappings, cowhide rugs, and a shuffleboard table set the man cave-esque scene. A list of playfully named libations adorn the cocktail menu — the Sullivan Country Cottage (apple brandy, Drambuie, and Angostura) and The Nagurski (bourbon, Cointreau, and allspice) seem like befitting drinks in this setting.
When heading outdoors, guests can store personal belongings in the Tackle Room’s private lockers before exploring The DeBruce’s endless acres of private hiking trails or casting their line along the remote half-mile river stretch during guided fly fishing excursions. There’s a heated turquoise-hued pool to lounge by on sun-drenched summer days and an all-season bonfire for s’mores roasting and storytelling sessions that go long into the night.
If a refreshing, long weekend getaway is what you’re looking for, then look no further than The DeBruce.
Top Takeaways
Location: Livingston Manor, New York
Address: 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758
Rating: Four-Star
The vibe: A cozy, design-centric hotel in the heart of the Catskill Mountains that’s perfect for a romantic getaway.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel: There’s so much to love about this hotel, but the glass-walled dining room — referred to as the “floating jewel box” by The DeBruce team — is the prettiest spot to sip your morning coffee. (We recommend ordering the Duck Hash, Avocado Toast, or Buttermilk Pancakes from the a la carte breakfast menu while you’re here, too.)
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? The DeBruce is just a 10-minute drive from Livingston Manor’s adorable thoroughfare. Grab a delicious pastry from The Neon Croissant before popping into the Long Weekend for stylish lifestyle decor. By day, enjoy biscuits and sandwiches at The Walk In, which turns into dinner and drinks at The Stumble Out Bar by night.
What’s Nearby? Livingston Manor’s Main Street; Cattail Brook Falls; Giant Ledge Mountain; Red Hill Fire Tower; The Arnold House; Kenoza Hall
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Private hiking trails; On-staff fishing guides; Fireplaces in Winter & Bonfires in Summer; Indoor and outdoor Lounge Spaces; Malin & Goetz bath amenities
Rooms: 12
Pricing: Rates start at $429/night.
Closest Airport: New York Stewart International Airport (1-hour drive); Newark International Airport & LaGuardia Airport (2-hour drive); Book transportation to The DeBruce with Upstate D-Tours luxury car service.
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