It’s a weird feeling driving up Granite Road in Kerhonkson. You expect the grand silhouette of the Shawangunk Mountains to dominate the skyline, and they do, but there’s this massive, somewhat polarizing structure that has anchored the landscape for decades. The Hudson Valley Resort and Spa. If you’ve spent any time in the Catskills or the lower Hudson Valley, you’ve probably heard the stories. Or maybe you stayed there back in its heyday when it was a bustling hub for families and golfers.
Things are different now. Honestly, they’ve been different for a long while.
The resort occupies a strange space in the local travel economy. It isn't a boutique "Glampground" like the ones popping up in nearby Accord, and it isn't a high-end luxury retreat like Mohonk Mountain House. It is a sprawling, 270-room behemoth with a history that mirrors the rise, fall, and complicated rebirth of the Borscht Belt.
The Reality of the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa Today
Let's get the elephant out of the room. If you look up recent reviews or talk to locals, you’ll hear a lot of mixed signals. Some people remember it as a premier destination for Jewish holiday celebrations and massive conventions. Others see a property that has struggled to keep pace with the hyper-modernization of the region.
The resort, formerly known as the Granit Hotel, was once the crown jewel of Kerhonkson. It had everything. An 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a massive indoor pool, and a spa that felt like the height of luxury in the 90s. But maintaining a property of this scale is a nightmare. We're talking about hundreds of thousands of square feet.
In recent years, the ownership has faced significant hurdles. There have been periods where the hotel was partially closed, rumors of sales, and shifts in how the space is used. For a while, it wasn't even operating as a traditional hotel for weekend leaf-peepers. It shifted toward hosting large groups, religious retreats, and specific events that could fill hundreds of rooms at once.
Why the Location Still Beats Almost Anything Else
Geography is the one thing you can't fake. Even if the carpets are dated or the lobby feels like a time capsule from 1998, the land it sits on is spectacular. You are literally nestled between the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mohonk Preserve.
You can walk outside and see the "Gunks"—those white quartz conglomerate cliffs that climbers travel from all over the world to scale. Most people staying at the trendy $500-a-night cabins down the road have to drive twenty minutes to get the view that guests here get from their balcony.
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- Minnewaska State Park: Just a ten-minute drive. You get the glacial lakes and the waterfalls.
- The Shawangunk Ridge: It’s right there. Visible from almost every north-facing window.
- Local Orchards: You’re in the heart of apple country. Westwind Orchard and Arrowood Farms are basically neighbors.
It’s this proximity that keeps the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa relevant. Even when the service is hit-or-miss or the amenities feel a bit tired, you can’t argue with the mountain air.
The Golf Course: A Diamond in the Rough?
The golf course is an interesting case study. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, it was built to be a serious challenge. It’s a par 71 that winds through the woods and over rolling hills.
For a long time, it was the main draw. Golfers would come up from the city, play 36 holes, hit the sauna, and do it all again the next day. Maintenance has fluctuated. On a good year, it’s a beautiful, scenic trek that tests your accuracy because the fairways are tight. On a bad year, the rough gets a little too rough.
If you're a golfer, you basically have to check the current season's status before you pack your clubs. It’s not the consistent "country club" experience some expect, but for the price point—when it’s fully operational—it has historically been one of the more affordable ways to play 18 holes in a mountain setting.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Resort" Label
We need to talk about expectations. In the 2020s, the word "resort" usually conjures images of infinity pools, artisanal avocado toast, and minimalist Scandinavian furniture.
That isn't this.
The Hudson Valley Resort and Spa is a legacy property. It belongs to an era of massive dining halls and nightly entertainment in a theater-style setting. Think Dirty Dancing, but thirty years later. When you walk into the lobby, you’re stepping into a piece of Catskills history.
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Some people find it charming. It’s nostalgic. There’s something cool about the scale of the place—the long hallways, the heavy doors, the smell of old wood and mountain breeze. Others find it frustrating. If you go in expecting the Four Seasons, you’re going to be disappointed. If you go in expecting a budget-friendly basecamp for hiking that has a slightly surreal, retro vibe, you might actually have a great time.
The Spa and Wellness Aspect
Is the spa still a "spa"?
Historically, it was a full-service facility. We’re talking saunas, steam rooms, and a menu of treatments that drew people from all over Ulster County. While the facility remains, the level of service has transitioned over time. It’s often used more as a fitness and recovery area for groups rather than a destination day spa for the public.
If wellness is your primary goal, you have to look at the "natural spa" surrounding the hotel. The Hudson Valley is currently a global destination for forest bathing and hiking-based wellness. Using the resort as a bed-and-breakfast-style anchor while you spend your days at the nearby Mohonk Preserve is actually a pretty smart way to do the Catskills on a budget.
The Economic Impact on Kerhonkson
Kerhonkson is having a "moment" right now. It’s been nicknamed "Ker-Hamptons" by some because of the influx of luxury homes and trendy boutiques.
Through all this change, the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa has remained a bit of a mystery. It’s one of the largest taxpayers in the Town of Rochester. When it’s busy, the local gas stations and diners feel the lift. When it’s quiet, the town feels it.
There have been numerous discussions at the town board level over the years about the property's future. There’s a collective hope that a major investor will eventually come in and do for this property what was done for the Nevele or other historic resorts—a total, top-to-bottom reimagining. But for now, it stands as a bridge between the old world of Catskills tourism and the new.
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What to Actually Do If You Visit
Don't just stay in the room. Honestly, that's the mistake people make.
- Hit the Trails Early: You are so close to the Peter's Kill climbing area and the Awosting Falls. Beat the crowds that come up from NYC by being at the trailhead at 8:00 AM.
- Explore the Hamlets: Drive five minutes to Accord. Go to Saunderskill Farms for a breakfast sandwich. Go to Westwind for wood-fired pizza and cider.
- The Rail Trail: The O&W Rail Trail runs nearby. It’s flat, easy, and perfect for a morning run or bike ride through the woods.
- Check the Event Calendar: Since the resort often hosts large specific-interest groups, check if there's a public event or if the property is being fully utilized by a private group before you show up.
The Verdict on the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa
It’s complicated.
It isn't a "bad" place, but it is a place in transition. It’s a survivor. While many of the grand hotels of the mid-century have burned down or been reclaimed by the forest, this one is still standing. It still has its roof, its bones are solid, and the views haven't aged a day.
It serves a specific purpose. It’s a high-capacity venue in a region where most hotels only have 12 rooms. It’s an affordable alternative in a county where prices have spiraled out of control.
If you want a sterile, modern experience, stay somewhere else. If you want a story to tell, and you want to be five minutes away from some of the best hiking on the East Coast without paying $600 a night, then you should keep an eye on what’s happening here.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
Before you book or plan a visit to the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, you need to do a little homework.
- Call Directly: Online booking engines aren't always accurate for legacy resorts. Call the front desk to confirm which amenities (pool, golf, restaurant) are actually open during your stay.
- Verify Group Bookings: Ask if there is a large convention or wedding during your stay. This can drastically change the "vibe" of the property.
- Plan Your Meals: Kerhonkson and Accord have incredible food, but many places close early or are only open Thursday–Sunday. Don’t rely solely on the resort’s dining hall without checking the hours first.
- Bring Your Own Gear: If you're there for the outdoors, bring your own hiking poles, bikes, or climbing gear. The local rental shops are great, but they sell out fast on weekends.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service in the "Gunks" is notoriously spotty. The resort has Wi-Fi, but once you head toward the state park, you're on your own.
The Hudson Valley isn't just a place to look at; it's a place to move through. Use the resort as your base, but get out and explore the rugged, wild beauty of Ulster County.