A New Era of Adventure Comes to the Catskills

By Brooklyn Magazine Staff

Gorgeous landscapes, leafy green trees for miles, and all of the serene vibes. The Catskills is known for its natural beauty, creative offerings and nearly endless recreational opportunities. And now, there’s a new—and peaceful—place to stay that captures all of that essence and more. Wylder Windham, the latest addition to the Wylder Hotels collection, made its debut in July 2022 as a top-to-bottom restoration of the former Thompson House Resort, and the hotel calls forth a high level of luxury and rest to the area.

With a stunning redesign and an expansive property, the hotel incorporates sleek designs and impeccable style into an utterly relaxing retreat experience. Located just two and a half hours north of Brooklyn, Wylder Windham is situated on 20 pastoral acres alongside the Batavia Kill River and offers guests picture-perfect views of Windham Mountain’s serene snow-capped peaks, lustrous fall foliage or plush and verdant warm weather greenery.

The resort is directly adjacent to Windham Country Club, the Windham Path and a very short two-minute drive to Windham Ski Mountain, which makes it an ideal destination for ski enthusiasts, getaways with friends and nature lovers. In fact, guests couldn’t ask for a better place to unwind for a few days with plenty of winter activities for everyone. There is a rather large gameroom in the basement of the main house, so grab a hot drink and get cozy. And, there’s plenty of space in front of the fire to stretch your legs and meditate by the flames, too.

The hotel offers seven different lodging experiences, including The Pines Inn, The Tamarack Lodge, The Manor, The Spruce Cottage, The Evergreen Lodge, The Main Lodge and The Farmhouse. Each of these historic spaces have been lovingly restored by local craftsmen, and feature oak floors, custom furniture and luxe bathrooms. Guests can breathe in the fresh air as 82 rooms feature large balconies with unobstructed views of Windham Mountain or the Batavia Kill. The proximity to Windham Mountain is unbelievable and you can even catch a ride to the mountain in Wylder Windham’s beautiful green Defender.

The resort also offers a lively restaurant and bakery concept (plus 4,000 square feet of private event spaces), an oversized in-ground heated pool, a lawn complete with hammocks, tree swings, fire pits, lawn games, live entertainment and more. Everything on the menu is spectacular from the beef stew and the steak frites to the handcrafted cocktails and delicious assortment of pies baked right on site.

With dishes full of savory comfort fare that embodies the artistic cuisine of the Catskills, Babblers Restaurant and Bakery invite guests to gather and connect over a full dining spread with flavor and artistry. Guests and locals alike can mingle, exchange stories, and sip on strong libations in the comfort of this laid-back establishment.

At the bar, make sure to taste one of the unbelievable sundowners (whipped up by a true mixologists, Edwin and Sheena). The bar stays open in the evenings, and Sheena is always happy to provide inventive recommendations that can help you live out those relaxation dreams.

A word from the wise: In the morning before you head out to hike or ski, the cafe has the best B.E.C. and soft, flaky pastries (don’t forget a fresh coffee). Get everything you need onsite at the hotel and the restaurant. That being said, there’s more to uncover after you fuel up. The property also features electric bikes, tubing, a wood-fired sauna, a dog run, among other recreation activities. There is something quite special and unique about the wood burning sauna as it is done in what seems to be the purest form of the sauna experience. The soaking tubs also heighten the spa-like activities and self-care time.

Overall, Wylder Windham’s name of the game is rest and relaxation. With its cozy-cool accommodations, delicious dining and closeness to outdoor experiences like skiing, it’s a real haven for fans of the great outdoors. Ready to head out of town? Book a stay at Wylder Windham today.