Many New Yorkers look to the Hamptons for their weekend escapes—and with good reason. But there’s another destination to consider if you’re on the hunt for a peaceful and pastoral getaway just a stone’s throw from Manhattan: Troutbeck, a quaint inn with a rich literary history in Amenia, New York. This newly refurbished inn offers a cozy and laid-back vibe with incredibly chic interiors thanks to a recent redesign by world-renowned interiors firm Champalimaud Design. Read on to discover five reasons why Troutbeck is Hudson Valley’s best kept secret.
A Rich History
Since 1765 Troutbeck has been a magnet for writers and artists looking for a place to unwind. Once the home of poet Myron Benton, the beautiful grounds have been visited by everyone from Ralph Waldo Emerson and David Thoreau to Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway. Curl up by the fireplace with a glass of wine in The Library, where design features such as wood paneling original to the 250-year-old house, shells, geodes, and an incredible selection of tombs promise to transport you to another era.
Photography: Paul Barbera
Hotel Design
New York-based studio Champalimaud Design, whose past projects include The Hotel Bel-Air, The Dorchester, and The Island House in the Bahamas, have created a design haven that both elegantly pays tribute to the original feature of the historic house as well as pushes modern design boundaries. The result? A plush, but unstuffy environment with plenty of character, from the beautiful bar room washed in hues of light pink with a handsome copper bar to guest rooms and suites decorated with four poster beds and six-foot bathtubs filled with Malin + Goetz amenities.
Photography: Paul Barbera | Alexandra Champalimaud | Design Hotels
Farm-to-Table Dining
The famous produce and preserves of the region are available in Troutbeck’s Pantry room, which is open 24-hours and includes treats such as Acorn Hill’s dark chocolate cherry goat milk fudge, darragh studio’s kombucha, and Ronnybrook creamline yogurt. Meanwhile, at Troutbeck’s on-property restaurant, American farm-to-table cuisine sourced from regional estates is available. Don’t leave without trying Chef Marcel Agnez’s menu, which is heavily inspired by growing up in Normandy where he learned to forage for the freshest local ingredients. Whether its the Hudson Valley cheese boards and baby kale salad with local farm eggs during lunch, or the pan seared scallops with carrot turmeric sauce for dinner, the quality of Agnez’s produce is superb. Also worth noting? The incredible selection of beer and whiskey coming out of the region, with Hudson Valley’s Mave cider available on tap in Troutbeck’s bar room.
Photography: Paul Barbera | Alexandra Champalimaud
Local Attractions
You’ll find horseback riding, fly fishing, guided meditation, hiking, cycling, and more available just a short drive from the property. If you do decide to explore the neighborhood, we highly recommend dinner at Serevan, run by Chef Serge Madikians. Inside tip: On a weekly basis Madikians pilots a small plane to source seafood from Cape Cod, which means Serevan’s oysters are truly the freshest in town. Other local attractions include the Amenia Yoga Center, Hunter Bee for antiques, and Copake General Store for tumeric chai tea and a slew of gluten-free products including granola and homemade cookies.
Photograhy: Paul Barbera | Mikki Brammer
Dog Friendly
Throughout my stay I had the pleasure of meeting several new furry friends. “We’re even planning to add regional dog treats to The Pantry,” John, Troutbeck’s General Manager explained to me with a proud smile. Right now the historic hotel offers water bowls for furry guests, as well as 45-acres of land for your best buddy to explore. Troutbeck is also planning to add additional hiking trails come spring, so the options to roam will be endless. Dogs are also welcomed in the communal spaces, with several pooches quietly cozied up near the fire throughout my stay.
