Part of Hudson Valley’s beguiling charm lies in its tapestry of tiny towns and hamlets, surrounded by pristine nature preserves and rolling hills. Amenia would be one of these towns, located in Dutchess County, New York, and home to the quaint boutique hotel, Troutbeck.
Derived from the Latin word amoena, meaning “pleasant to the eye,” it’s easy to see why Amenia has captivated romantics, poets, and thinkers since the 1700s when Troutbeck served as the stomping grounds for these transcendentalists. What was once a humble estate has transitioned into an award-winning inn and tavern over the years, reminiscent of the great farmhouses of England.
Set on 250 acres of wild-to-manicured grounds, bisected by the Webatuck River and Dunham Creek, Troutbeck offers a little something for every kind of traveler: locally-sourced cuisine by an acclaimed chef, a wellness center with an ever-changing calendar of fitness classes, (plus spa treatments and holistic practices), a heated pool, and all the nature trails you could need for a weekend spent living your best life upstate.
The estate’s first owners, the Benton Family, played frequent host to Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the naturalist, John Burroughs, in addition to Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Duke Ellington, and Maya Angelou. Today, Benton House and Benton Cottage features well-appointed guestrooms and suites outfitted with Frette linens, Tivoli radios, and cozy nooks designed for work or pleasure. These accommodations also have private screened porches perfect for taking in that fresh Hudson Valley air.
Inside the main house (The Manor House), you’ll find 24/7 reception, along with the property’s on-site restaurant and bar. 17 more rooms and suites can be found upstairs—our favorite being the Dunham Suite with a plush, 4-poster bed, gas-burning fireplace, chaise lounge, and French-style casement windows that reveal the sounds of a bubbling brook below.
James Beard-nominated Chef Gabe McMackin (formerly of Michelin-starred The Finch in Brooklyn) leads the culinary program at Troutbeck, which features locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired fare in The Dining Room, farm-to-table breakfast and lunch offerings in The Sunroom, private dining in The Gun Room, and a smattering of nibbles and crafts beers at the Pool Grill.
An all-day house menu is also available to savor in common areas such as the Library, Living Room, and Gallery—think tinned fish, an assortment of Hudson Valley cheeses, and plenty of smoked trout, along with a Bayley Hazen Blue cheese-topped burger that’s not to be missed. Traveling with littles? There’s no beating their kids’ menu, which is just as enticing for the grownup set.
In addition to their celebrated restaurant, Troutbeck also boasts a newly-expanded wellness center, The Barns, which is open to hotel guests and members daily.
Pop in for a mat pilates or yoga class, book a massage therapy or acupuncture treatment, or simply take advantage of their infrared saunas after a morning spent hiking or bike riding. Private classes and sessions are also available, should you be seeking a deeper self-care sojourn.
Top Takeaways:
Location: Amenia, New York
Rating: Four-Star
The Vibe: A bucolic Hudson Valley retreat loved by artists, writers, and naturalists since the 1700s, that’s been modernized for food & wellness-filled city escapes.
Food and Drink: The Dining Room at Troutbeck is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, but there are many more inspired spaces around the property where you may want to enjoy a light bite or a glass of wine—in The Bar, Sun Room, Library, and Living Room. In the summer months, there’s The Pool Grill for lobster rolls and refreshers.
Property Amenities: A full-service fitness studio by Technogym, wellness sanctuary and spa at The Barns, two US Open surfaced hard courts, heated pool, hammock and picnic sites, plus complimentary bikes for exploring the countryside. Troutbeck is also pet-friendly.
Our Favorite Thing About The Hotel: The Walled Garden, which was built in 1916 and is tiered over two levels, draped in climbing Clematis flowers and vines.
What’s Nearby? Troutbeck is well positioned, next to many farmers’ markets, breweries, vineyards, art galleries, and villages filled with curiosities. It’s also nestled between the Mohawk and Catamount Mountains, known for the best skiing, hiking, fishing, and river rafting in these parts.
Any Neighborhood Recs? In and around the towns of Amenia and Wassaic, there’s Great Cape Baking Company, which is known for its cider donuts and breakfast sandwiches, Ten Mile Distillery for locally-crafted spirits, and the beloved Four Brothers Pizza Inn + Drive-In—an outdoor theater with legendary pies. The famed racetrack, Lime Rock Park, also offers year-round programming.
Rooms: 38 uniquely stunning guestrooms and suites can be found in the Manor House, Benton House & Cottage, and Garden House.
Starting Nightly Rate: Rates start at $400/night during the off-season; expect to pay $800+ during peak season.
Closest Airport: Danbury (DXR) Airport, Hartford (BDL), White Plains (HPN), Albany (ALB), and New York La Guardia (LGA). Troutbeck is also a 2-hour train ride from Manhattan.
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