Hotel Reivew

Emerson Resort and Spa
5340 New York 28
Mt. Tremper, NY 12457
(845) 688-2828
Five Stars
Hotel Photo
Date of Visit: 09/23/2013

Emerson Resort and Spa, located in New York's beautiful Catskill Mountains area, is an ideal getaway for those looking to relax, be pampered, and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Mt. Tremper area.

Mike surprised me with a trip to the area for my birthday. We have driven through upstate New York on many occasions and have always wanted to plan a fall getaway to the area.

Although we were a week or 2 too early for fall colors, we thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic views of Esopus Creek from our cozy cabin rental.

Emerson is conveniently located just 4 hours from Boston and one and a half hours from New York City, making it the perfect rustic getaway away from the crowds, traffic, and congestion of the cities.

The property is conveniently located within driving distance of many of the Catskills top attractions including Kaaterskill Falls (the highest 2 tier waterfall in NY) and the beautiful Ashokan Reservoir (source of drinking water for New York City).

In addition, many great restaurants and entertainment options await you in the charming nearby towns of Phoenica and Woodstock.

Appearance

Emerson Resort and Spa features 2 separate lodging options: The Inn and The Lodge. The Lodge option features a variety of mountain theme rooms, all designed with charming log-cabin, rustic touches.

The Inn rooms feature more of a classic, artsy theme. It is up to you to decide which theme appeals more to you. The Inn rooms are a bit more expensive and also do not allow guests under age 16. They are more geared towards guests looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation.

The property itself is beautiful: well maintained, nicely landscaped (featuring a Koi pond and waterfalls), and quiet.

The hallways of the Emerson are lined with the works of local artists. You will also find relaxing Buddha style statues throughout the property, both inside and outside.

Mike booked us a luxury suite in The Lodge. Although The Lodge is not connected to the main Inn building, it is only located a short walk away. The Catamount Restaurant is conveniently located between both lodging options. There is a scenic outdoor patio at The Catamount, featuring amazing views of the creek. Dinner each night at The Catamount was convenient, cozy, and delicious!

Amenities

The Emerson features an on site award winning spa. I really enjoyed my Indian Head Massage. My therapist was excellent; very knowledgeable and personable. I wanted to try something different on this trip as opposed to my usual Swedish or Deep Tissue treatment.

I was pleased with this unique pressure point scalp massage, which also included a relaxing head, neck, and shoulder massage. The warm oil was relaxing.

The spa facility itself is very nice with unique Asian themed art. The relaxation room is perfect for enjoying a cup of tea or lemon water before or after your treatment.

The immaculately clean locker rooms feature a sauna and steam room. Both were perfect additions to our relaxing weekend. I also enjoyed the outdoor hot tub (located on the deck adjacent to the relaxation room). It definitely came in handy with the brisk fall weather. I prefer outdoor hot tubs to indoor, especially in this case with the beautiful scenery.

I had the opportunity to check out the fitness center. Besides a few cardio machines being down, the center offered a nice selection of free weights and cardio equipment. Most of the time, Mike and I took our exercise outdoors as I recommend you do as there are so many wonderful natural areas to explore.

There are so many beautiful places to discover in the Catskills area - no need to exercise indoors! There is an outdoor pool by The Lodge, however, it was much too cool to even consider a swim!

All guests receive complimentary access to the spa facilities and the fitness center. Other useful amenities include: a free cup of coffee each day at The Country Cafe, free DVD rentals in the lobby, and a free 10 minute Kaleidoscope show in the "World's Largest Kaleiodscope".

In addition, the Emerson features an onsite breakfast restaurant (The Phoenix), a dinner restaurant (The Catamount), and a country store featuring coffee, homemade ice cream, and other snacks (The Country Store Cafe).

Also be sure to check out Emerson Shops, a collection of casual, country themed stores. On a side note, the staff is always willing to help out with any questions or recommendations as to area restaurants and activities.

Hotel Photos

  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview
  • Emerson Resort and Spa Hotel Preview

Price

Prices at The Lodge vary depending on the size of room you choose to book. Rooms range in price from $209 for the deluxe room to $329 for the family suite. Check the Emerson website for weekday deals and special rates and packages throughout the year.

The luxury suite we stayed in at The Lodge was a great deal at only $269, especially with all the special amenities listed above. The Inn is a bit more expensive,with rates ranging from $299 to $399 per night. All Inn rooms include a Swiss shower and air jetted tub for 2.

Room

I was really impressed with our luxury suite at The Lodge. The entire place was decked out in a cute rustic mountain theme. Even the fireplace and lamps featured mountain decor. This setting fit in perfectly with the rustic feeling of the Catskills region.

Our rental featured a 2 story layout with a King bed in the loft. Two bathrooms, including one with an enormous whirlpool tub added a bit of luxury to the trip. The gas fireplace was ideal for the beginning of the brisk fall season. Nights were spent relaxing with a glass of wine in front of the roaring fireplace.

The absolute highlight of our rental was the outdoor deck, featuring amazing views of Esopus Creek. In my opinion, The Lodge rooms have better views of the creek than the Inn rooms.

Relaxing on the deck taking in the magnificent views was the best part of our trip! Every morning we enjoyed our cup of coffee, while taking in the incredible scenery. And, we really appreciated the quiet atmosphere: no noisy traffic here like some other resorts.

Final Remarks

I can't wait for my next stay at Emerson Resort and Spa. Emerson is your best bet for a relaxing, affordable getaway to the Catskills. The combination of rustic charm and artistic touches gives the property a heads up over other resorts in the area.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or just a city escape, you are bound to find it at the Emerson. Fall is the perfect time to visit and take advantage of the beautiful foliage of the upstate NY area. We will definitely be planning a return visit in the near future.