The Chatwal Lodge In The Catskills

There’s a new luxury resort set to open in New York’s Catskills this spring. The Chatwal Lodge will be unveiled on May 1, 2021, a getaway that its owner promises will be a retreat that is “a private realm in harmony with nature, located in a wide expanse of preserved wilderness.”

That’s quite a statement, given that the “wilderness” is just 90 miles north of New York City, in the town of Bethel, New York. The Chatwal Lodge, which resembles an Adirondack Lodge more than a classic Catskills resort, will offer the kind of rarefied and sublime luxury experience that’s not readily available to anyone in the greater New York City area. In fact, you’d probably have to venture way up to the Adirondacks or out West to the Rockies to find a comparable setting and a similar level of luxury and privacy.

The promise is luxury “rustic” accommodations for a handful of well-heeled guests, absolute privacy, and the chance to relax with fly fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, lawn croquet, and recreational badminton. Personal pampering and growth activities include Ayurvedic wellness treatments, yoga, meditation, private wine tastings, cooking classes, and music lessons.

In short, this is a far cry from the Catskills depicted in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The project is from hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, the founder and chairman of Dream Hotel Group, whose flagship property is The Chatwal, New York in Manhattan, which was built in 1905 by Stanford White and restored and renewed by architect Thierry Despont in 2010.

The Chatwal Lodge is located within 30 acres of environmentally-protected land within The Chapin Estate, a 2,500-acre gated residential community. At its heart is the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir Lake. There will be just 10 suites, some with private patios overlooking the Toronto Reservoir Lake, featuring vaulted ceilings, arched windows, reclaimed-wood walls, log-treaded stairs, hand-carved headboards, and faux fur and woolen upholstery. Some accommodations will additionally have larger lakeside decks, outdoor showers, deep soaking tubs, kitchens, dining and living areas suitable for family gatherings. The amenities include 24-hour valet service, concierge and butler service, as well as 24-hour in-suite dining.

One of the specialty suites is a 1,000-square-foot treehouse raised 25 above the ground, with a fireplace, and an outdoor deck. Another is also an 850 square foot glamping-style tent with a king bed, an ensuite bath, and wraparound verandas.

The main lodge building is the social heart of the lodge and will feature a farm-to-table restaurant, a lobby lounge, a wine cellar, a bar, and a private dining room. Guests can take breakfast on the terrace or opt for alfresco dining. The chef, who has yet to be named, will focus on organic, locally-sourced fare. Fresh herbs and homegrown vegetables will come from the kitchen gardens on the premises. Afternoon tea, cocktails, and all-day dining can be enjoyed beside the massive fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with heaters to take in the lake view all year round.  There will also be a library, a lakeside pavilion, and rooms to accommodate meetings and weddings.

The architecture and design is by Steve Dubrovsky, who specializes in 19th-century Adirondack style residential building. His private homes can be found throughout The Chapin Estate and in an earlier life, he was a four-time circuit champion of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. 

The debut of The Chatwal Lodge will be followed by resort openings in San Miguel de Allende and Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico. Rates at The Chatwal Lodge will start at $1,200 per night.