Rhinebeck Retreat

A perfect home away from home in the beautiful Hudson Valley

“Gracious, clean, well appointed home with a cozy vibe. Living quarters all on one floor, no stairs to worry about. Great location close to town and neighboring amenities. Explore the Hudson Valley in comfort from this charming country sanctuary in the woods.”

Maria Wander, Riverdale, NY

The Rhinebeck Retreat is very proud to have hosted the Rhinebeck Writer’s Retreat during July and August this summer. This retreat was for musical theatre composers, lyricists and bookwriters. These award-winning writers have had readings, showcases, or full productions of their musicals done in professional regional theatres across the country. We appreciate that they choose our space for their creative endeavors and wish them well and much success.

We welcome yoga, meditation and other small groups for weekend and weeklong retreats. Our space is also available for weddings and other special occasions. Families and extended family gatherings are always welcome.

Town & Country

Begin with a leisurely, yet invigorating 2 hour drive (from Brooklyn, less time from Manhattan) up the picturesque Taconic Parkway winding through the Hudson River Valley. Or if you prefer to kick back, you can take Amtrak from Penn Station to the Rhinecliff Station. This most scenic train journey takes you along the Hudson River all the way from New York City. From there you need to either rent a car or take a cab to our house. This modern home is located on a scenic country road, ten minutes from the village of Rhinebeck. A popular weekend destination, Rhinebeck is well known as the home of Omega Institute (eomega.org / 5 minute drive) as well as for its fine dining establishments (Gigi Trattoria, Arielle, Starr Place, Terrapin, Zen Dog, China Rose, etc), fine boutiques (Haldora, No Sugar, Winter Sun & Summer Moon, Cesare & Lili, etc), and specialty shops (Paper Trail, Face of Stockholm, Hammertown, Oblong Books & Music, etc.). You can see a first-run independent film at the popular art house cinema Upstate Films. Every weekend you can find the best produce, baked goods, prepared foods that the Hudson Valley has to offer at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market. There is also an excellent health food store in town (Rhinebeck Health Foods/the Garden Street Cafe) that has a great little cafe (try the Avocado Supreme). Rhinebeck is also home to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds which hosts the famous Dutchess County Fair, the annual Sheep and Wool Fest, Rhinebeck Antiques Fair and many more events throughout the year. Day trips to Woodstock and the Catskills, the Berkshires, Dia Beacon, Storm King, Olana, the FDR library and Vanderbilt Mansion are easy to make.

Accomodations

Our contemporary house is a perfect home away from home. Easily accommodating four to six people, the open floor plan is cozy and inviting. Families are welcome (no pets please). We have three bedrooms and two full baths, a modern chefs kitchen (and outdoor gas grill), a screened-in back porch with picnic table, and a fireplace where you can warm your bones after a long day. You are welcome to select a movie from our large, eclectic dvd library (includes many childrens videos). We have wifi so you can keep in touch with the outside world if you want to (don’t forget to bring your laptop). Our well-stocked bookcase includes a section dedicated to the historic Hudson Valley. Two adult bikes and a child’s bike are also available for your use. For your convenience, we have an easily accessible washer and dryer.

Nature and Nurture

If you simply want to get away from it all and enjoy nature, the valley offers excellent birdwatching, hiking, apple picking, biking, and horseback riding minutes from our front door. You can also kick back on our private landscaped three acre property and read a good book in a hammock, or play a rousing game of Bocce on our full size court. The kids will love to bounce on the trampoline (with supervision please). Adults can find yoga and pilates studios in the village. In the winter months, exceptional sledding may be had on the rolling hills at Mills Mansion and nearby Burger Hill Park (affectionately referred to as “Rocket Run” by our boys). Skiing is also nearby, the catkills and berkshire ski venues are about 45 minutes away.

The Night Sky

Whatever the season, I am in awe of our night sky. When the sun settles down beyond the Catskills and dusk gives way to dark, the scene is set for the grand celestial dance of the moon and stars in the sky above. Though we have many tall trees on our property, the view is immense and stunning. Feel free to bring your telescopes or binoculars.

A Secret Garden

We also offer a wonderful environment to get in touch with your inner gardener. Whether you want to mulch, weed, rake, water or all of the above, you are welcome to make use of our many flower beds. We will provide the knee pads, trowels, etc. Let us know what you want to do, and we will help.

All the necessary ingredients for a relaxing weekend, weeklong or monthly retreat.