I’d heard fairytale stories about Upstate New York, an idyllic mountainous area just a few hours from the city. If you are planning a weekend break here, Scribner’s Lodge is the perfect place to stay.

Scribner’s is an effortlessly hip boutique hotel, located just outside Catskills town and surrounded by impressive mountains. In winter it is the ideal ski retreat, and in summer it is a wonderful place to dine under the stars and enjoy long warm walks surrounded by nature.

Each of the 38 guest rooms is unique, decorated in a simple but stylish way, with white walls and charming retro details (vintage telephones and cute bedside lamps). Even the smallest rooms are spacious with large windows overlooking the mountains and cosy fireplaces. The bathrooms are designed with terracotta tiles, powerful rain showers and natural products.

We arrived early afternoon and couldn’t resist just hanging out at the hotel for the day. The living space is open to all guests, a welcoming space centred around a fire pit with plenty of interesting books and games to entertain you. In the evening, guests are invited for complimentary s’mores by the fire, a must do in my opinion!

After a long and restful sleep we headed down for a comforting American breakfast in Prospect, Scribner’s Lodge’s restaurant. I can highly recommend the thick and fluffy pancakes, cooked to perfection and topped with berry compote and fresh fruit.

Along with the delicious culinary offerings, Scribner’s arrange yoga and meditation sessions at the hotel. I also liked the sound of the ‘Phoenicia Flea’, a regular curated-market held at Scribner’s Lodge… it is a great place to pick up handcrafted home accessories and furnishings.

Scribner’s Lodge is a wonderful place to stay year round… I’m already planning a return trip!

More information and book a stay at Scribner’s Lodge here.

Getaway House offers a rare opportunity to escape everyday life. The company has handcrafted cabins for guests to visit outside of New York, Boston and DC… a chance to appreciate nature, switch off from city chaos and reconnect with your family and friends.

After five days making the most of all New York city had to offer, the Getaway House in the Catskills Mountains was a welcome break for us.

Although there are few details provided before arriving at the cabin, all the communication was brilliantly efficient and organised. We received a full itinerary email the day before our stay, with driving instructions, tips on where to buy food nearby and a few handy facts about our forest getaway. Excited and eager to arrive at our wilderness abode we stocked up on groceries at Otto’s Market in Germantown (steak and vegetables) and drove to the specified secret location.

We were very at home in our two-person cabin named ‘Hope’, there are also cabins available for four guests (with two Queen beds). The cabins are cosy but thanks to the clever layout don’t feel at all cramped. The natural materials blend perfectly with the beautiful surroundings, and there are plenty of windows to let in maximum light from the outside world.

Inside the cabin we found everything we needed (two hobs, a fridge, and cooking utensils) and a few extra treats (s’mores for cooking by the campfire). The small bathroom is found at one end of the cabin with a shower and toilet. Extra basic provisions are also stocked in the cabin and can be purchased for a small fee. Before our dinner we had fun reading the books provided (Cabin Porn has a range of endearing tales) and flicking through the Getaway notebook, filled with poetry, games and quizzes. After a relaxing evening we switched off the light and drifted off to sleep under the moonlight.

I loved my time at the Getaway House. For me it offered an unusual occasion to relax, unwind and switch off from my busy digital-focused lifestyle. I can’t recommend this beautiful and remote hideaway enough.

More information and book a stay at the Getaway House here.

It is never easy picking a hotel in a huge city like New York. Many of the options are overpriced for undersized rooms, but Viceroy Central Park have got the balance just right… offering stylish, comfortable rooms in the middle of Manhattan.

The Viceroy chain has properties all over the world and is continuing to expand. Their New York hotel opened in 2013, a fashionable addition to the business-focussed accommodation in this central area of town. Found on West 57th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, it is the ideal hotel for work or leisure trips. The 29-storey building features 240 rooms (including 42 suites) alongside a popular Rooftop bar with unrivalled views, and their signature restaurant, Kingside, on the ground floor.

We loved our 1920s style Park View Suite. Located on the 22nd floor, we had iconic views from our window, a real joy to wake up to each morning. In the bedroom, the custom-made bed steals all the attention, blissfully comfy with the softest bedding you could dream of. The spacious living room was tastefully designed with deco-esque velvet furniture and charming lamps.

The bathroom was decorated in a dark and glamorous style, think black shiny tiles and brass gold details. A powerful shower (complete with circular window) was fully stocked with Roil Amanda George toiletries, and I took full advantage of the delicious smelling La Botega moisturiser, also found in our bathroom.

If you’ve had a long day sightseeing, or a big night out on the town, there is nothing better than ordering breakfast to your room. I can highly recommend the pancakes with red fruits and maple syrup, enormous in size with the best fluffy, light texture… they were delicious. We had an Illy Espresso maker in our room, making it easy to fight off jet-lag with caffeine whenever needed!

The Viceroy are clever to always consider every kind of traveller by providing amenities to keep all guests entertained… In our room I noticed the Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox Sound System and a collaboration with Hunter wellies. Downstairs, the Kingside restaurant welcomes external visitors as well as those staying in the hotel.

Centrally located with a sophisticated personality, Viceroy Central Park will suit the style-savvy traveller, who’s out adventuring during the day and in need of a luxuriously restful sleep at night.

More information and book a room at Viceroy New York here.