Forest Bliss: 48 Hours in the Hudson Valley and Catskills Design Hotels

New York City never truly sleeps. Its rhythm is a constant hum — a mix of sirens and endless motion that quietly drains your energy. It's no wonder that escaping to the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley has become more than just a trend for New Yorkers; it's a necessary ritual for restoration. We call this "quiet luxury": a state where the value of a getaway is defined not by gilded lobbies, but by the quality of silence, the scent of damp cedar, and the depth of immersion into the landscape.

On this journey, a car ceases to be just a means of transportation. It becomes a tool that transforms the drive from an exhausting commute into a part of the therapy itself. In this guide, we'll show you how to spend the perfect 48 hours at two of the most talked-about design hotels in the state — Piaule and Inness — and which vehicle will help you experience this trip to the fullest.

Why the Catskills?

Modern premium travel in the Northeast has shifted. Flashy consumption has been replaced by intellectual minimalism. Just 100–120 miles from Manhattan (about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive), you enter a world where architecture enters into a dialogue with nature rather than trying to conquer it, and discover the best towns in the Hudson Valley to explore by car.

For Drivo's audience — urbanites, designers, and those weary of visual noise–this region has become the gold standard for "detox." There are no accidental details here; every stone in the finish and every curve of the road has meaning.

Piaule Catskill: architectural meditation

Piaule is more than a hotel; it is a "landscape retreat." Founded by Nolan McHugh and Trevor Briggs — the duo behind the namesake homeware brand — alongside Garrison Architects, they created a space that feels like an extension of the forest.

Architecture as therapy

The hotel consists of 24 individual cabins that literally hover over the slope on slender stilts. This was done intentionally to avoid disturbing tree roots and to maintain natural water runoff.

What you will experience inside:

• visual silence: there are strictly no televisions in the rooms. The entire focus is on the massive floor-to-ceiling panoramic window, which turns the forest into a living canvas.
• tactility: light oak, natural linen, and iconic furniture from Louis Poulsen and Fritz Hansen create an environment you want to touch.
• scent: in the spa complex, tucked into the hillside, the air smells of raw cedar and heated bluestone. This immediately switches the brain into "rest" mode.

Inness: modern farm and social comfort

While Piaule is an introvert's sanctuary, Inness in Accord, NY, is a sprawling social space. Spanning 220 acres of pastures and fields, the hotel offers an aesthetic of "cultivated wildness."

Between the past and the future

Designers from Post Company and restaurateur Taavo Somer combined Dutch Colonial architecture with modern minimalism.

• the Farmhouse: white walls, clean lines, and antique furniture create the feeling of a lived-in, cozy home.
• the Cabins: black cabin facades (a nod to the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique) hide soft textiles and Plain English kitchens inside.

The crown jewel of Inness is its "wild" 9-hole golf course. Forget perfectly manicured greens. Here, designer King Collins utilized the natural terrain: shrubs and hillocks become part of the game, making the course look as if it has always been there.

The road: aesthetics vs. speed

The journey from New York City to the Catskills is a gradual decompression. Your choice of route defines your mood for the entire weekend.

• Taconic State Parkway (the aesthetic route): a narrow, winding road closed to trucks. It resembles European roads, meandering through the pastoral landscapes of the Hudson's eastern shore. There is minimal commercial advertising here–just you, the car, and nature.
• Route 9W (the art pilgrimage): the ideal route if you want to stop at Dia Beacon (a temple of minimalism in a former Nabisco factory) or the Storm King Art Center, where massive sculptures by Richard Serra are integrated into the scale of the mountains.

Which car to choose? (Drivo scenarios)

Based on our clients' styles, we have identified three trip scenarios. In New York, a car is an extension of your lifestyle, and here is how that applies to the Catskills.

Scenario 1: quiet luxury for two

If your goal is absolute privacy at Piaule, you need a vehicle with impeccable sound insulation.

Recommendation: Mercedes-Benz S580 or Tesla Model S.

Why: air suspension "swallows" the imperfections of Upstate roads, and a panoramic roof lets you see the tops of the pines before you even step out of the cabin. It's the perfect companion to a philosophy of minimalism.

Scenario 2: family weekend or a group of friends

A trip to Inness often involves a larger group, golf bags, and perhaps children.

Recommendation: Cadillac Escalade ESV or Chevrolet Tahoe.

Why: while three people in the back of a sedan is a compromise, in a large SUV, it's comfort. The massive trunk will fit suitcases and hiking gear, and the high seating position offers the best views of the Hudson River.

Scenario 3: the active explorer

If you plan to visit the farmers' markets in Kingston, hike up to Kaaterskill Falls, and switch between three different locations over the weekend.

Recommendation: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Hyundai Tucson.

Why: these are the most practical "workhorses." They are fuel-efficient, easy to park in small towns like Cold Spring, and feel confident on the gravel parking lots of forest trailheads.

Gastronomy: farm-to-table 2026

The food here is not just about calories; it's a way to get to know the region.

At Piaule: chef Ryan Tate works in a style of austere perfection. The 3-course prix fixe menu ($95) changes constantly, adapting to what has been harvested from neighboring farms that very day.

At Inness: the cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired but rooted in Hudson Valley produce. This is food for groups–large platters, plenty of vegetables, and an open fire.

Beyond the hotels: make sure to stop at the Phoenicia Diner. It's a cult-classic diner with a 60s aesthetic serving the best breakfasts in the state. Getting here without a car is nearly impossible, making your Drivo rental even more valuable.

The 48-hour plan

Saturday: immersion

• 10:00 AM – pick up your car from Drivo (Brooklyn or airports). Head out on the Palisades Parkway.
• 12:30 PM – lunch in the town of Beacon followed by a walk through Dia Beacon.
• 3:30 PM – check into Inness. Play a round of "wild" golf or stroll across the 220-acre grounds.
• 7:00 PM – dinner by the fireplace at the Inness restaurant.

Sunday: contemplation

• 9:00 AM – breakfast overlooking the Shawangunk Mountains. Drive toward the Catskills via Stony Clove Notch (Route 214)–one of the region's most beautiful roads.
• 12:00 PM – arrive at Piaule. Enjoy a session at the spa: a panoramic sauna followed by a cold plunge.
• 3:00 PM – hike to the waterfalls or visit the antique shops in Kingston (be sure to check out the Red Owl Collective).
• 6:00 PM – journey back to the city. On the Taconic State Parkway, you'll find that the peace you've gathered over the weekend helps you take the traffic much more lightly.

Practical information

• booking: Piaule and Inness are high-demand destinations. In 2025–2026, weekends are often booked 2–4 months in advance.
• pricing: expect rates between $450 and $1000 per night, depending on the season.
• season: october is the peak for "Fall Foliage" — see our guide to the best fall road trips from NYC, but January offers the stunning graphics of a snow-covered forest and the warmth of cozy fires.

If you are ready to turn your weekend into an architectural journey, start by choosing the right "tool" from our selection of luxury rental vehicles at Drivo.com. We will help you select a car that fits your plans as perfectly as the Piaule cabins fit the Catskill landscape.