Forget the Hamptons - New Yorkers seeking a quieter, nature-filled escape are heading to a mountain hideaway in the Catskills. Just a couple of hours from Manhattan, Wylder Windham has become a magnet for city dwellers swapping beach clubs and traffic jams for riverfront views, fresh mountain air, and a schedule that feels more like summer camp than luxury resort - albeit a stylish one.
The Catskills Appeal
The Catskills, a scenic mountain region in upstate New York, are known for rolling peaks, forested valleys, and a longstanding reputation as a nature escape. Windham, in the northern Catskills, has grown popular for its mix of outdoor activities, ski slopes, and laid-back hospitality, making it a year-round destination. It is easily accessible from New York City by car in about two and a half to three hours, or via Amtrak to Hudson or Albany with a short drive or shuttle ride.
Wylder Windham: A Rustic Alternative
Set across 20 acres along the Batavia Kill River with sweeping views of Windham Mountain, the resort offers a laid-back alternative to polished destinations like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Hamptons. Think less velvet ropes, more barefoot saunas and lawn games. There is no shortage of activities: guests can enjoy guided meditation, sound baths, pickleball clinics, hatchet throwing, pie-eating contests, karaoke, live music, and s'mores around the fire. A 'cutest dog' contest adds to the fun.
Accommodation spans seven lodging styles, all blending rustic charm with modern touches - wood-heavy interiors, vintage accents, and communal spaces that encourage mingling. Between activities, visitors can relax in wood-fired saunas, a heated outdoor pool, or explore walking trails through greenery down to the river.
Food and drink center around Babblers, the on-site restaurant serving comfort food classics and cocktails that keep social energy going into the evening. Evenings lean relaxed but lively, with karaoke and live music.
This Memorial Day, guests rotated through activities before winding down with evening entertainment. It is a far cry from the buttoned-up beach clubs of the Hamptons, and for many New Yorkers, that is exactly the point. As city crowds seek places to truly switch off without losing the buzz, spots like Wylder Windham are becoming the new go-to summer escape - part outdoorsy retreat, part low-key party, and entirely unapologetic about it.
