Where to Stay in the Catskills This Fall: 5 Seriously Cool Hotels
If there is one place that absolutely understood the fall assignment, it’s the Catskills.
Once September rolls around, the mountains turn every possible shade of red, orange, and gold, the air gets noticeably crisp, and suddenly all you want to do is disappear into a cute cabin somewhere with a fireplace, a sauna, and a really good cocktail.
If you're looking for where to stay in the Catskills this fall, I’ve rounded up five of the coolest, most atmospheric hotels and stays in the region. These aren’t your standard chain hotels. Think Scandinavian-inspired cabins, luxury Airstreams, an abandoned zoo turned boutique hotel, seriously gorgeous modern cabins, and a 200-acre lodge that basically invented the term après-hike.
Whether your ideal fall weekend involves hiking all day and soaking in a hot tub at night, or barely leaving your ridiculously photogenic hotel room, these are five Catskills hotels worth knowing about for fall.
1. Eastwind Oliverea Valley
Big Indian, New York
If your dream fall weekend involves a Scandinavian cabin, a sauna, a cocktail by the fire, and absolutely no reason to check your phone, Eastwind Oliverea Valley should be on your list.
Located in the Catskills' Oliverea Valley, Eastwind is surrounded by forest and sits alongside Esopus Creek. The property has 27 rooms, including the brand's famous triangular Lushna cabins, which range from tiny, cozy hideaways to larger suites with their own bathrooms.
The whole place has that effortless Scandinavian-meets-Catskills look that makes you want to immediately buy a chunky sweater and start referring to your weekend as a “reset.”
There’s also Dandelion, the property's restaurant and bar, plus an all-season heated pool, dry saunas, hammocks, and communal fire pits.
Why it's perfect for fall
Fall is when Eastwind really shines. The surrounding mountains explode with color, and you're close to great hiking and scenic drives through the Catskills. After a day outside, you can hike, sauna, swim, and end the night around the fire.
Best for: Couples, design lovers, and anyone who wants a quiet, romantic fall escape.
2. AutoCamp Catskills
Saugerties, New York
You don't have to be a hardcore camper to love AutoCamp. Actually, that's kind of the point.
AutoCamp Catskills takes the camping aesthetic and removes most of the things that make camping... camping. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you're staying in a seriously stylish Airstream, cabin, or Basecamp.
The property sits on 37 acres near Saugerties and has 65 Airstream suites, 10 cabins, and 10 Basecamps. The central Clubhouse gives you a place to grab food, drinks, snacks, and everything you need for a night around the fire. There are also bikes, yoga, Pilates, live music, stargazing, a hot tub, and plenty of outdoor space.
Why it's perfect for fall
Fall might be the best time to stay at AutoCamp. You get changing leaves and crisp weather without the summer heat, and the Airstreams have huge windows that let you wake up surrounded by foliage. Spend the day hiking, explore Woodstock or Saugerties, then come back for a fire, a drink, and s'mores.
Best for: Friends, couples, first-time glampers, and anyone who wants the outdoors without actually roughing it.
3. The Inn at the Old Catskill Game Farm
Catskill, New York
Okay, this one is probably the most unusual hotel on the list.
Imagine staying inside an abandoned zoo. That's essentially what you're doing at the Inn at the Old Catskill Game Farm.
The Catskill Game Farm opened in 1933 and was once a popular private zoo. After it closed, the 203-acre property sat abandoned until it was purchased and transformed into an outdoor getaway.
Today, guests can stay inside the former giraffe barn, now home to The Long Neck Inn. The inn has just five guest rooms, each named after animals that once lived at the zoo. There are also glamping sites scattered around the property.
Guests can explore the old zoo grounds, including miles of former pathways, old animal enclosures, and remnants of the property's past. There are hiking and biking trails, swimming holes, a hot tub, sauna, fire pit, and plenty of space to explore.
Why it's perfect for fall
This might be one of the coolest places for fall foliage in the Catskills simply because of the setting. Picture colorful leaves covering the paths, nature slowly taking over former animal enclosures, and the mountains surrounding you. Then head back to the inn, get in the hot tub, and spend the evening around the fire.
Best for: Adventurous travelers, couples, photographers, and anyone who wants a Catskills stay that's actually different.
4. Piaule Catskill
Catskill, New York
Piaule is for the people who see a hotel on Instagram and immediately need to know where it is.
This is probably the most design-forward hotel on this list, and honestly, every part of it feels intentional.
Piaule sits on 50 acres of former bluestone quarry land and has 24 modern cabins tucked into the trees. The cabins sit on stilts above the landscape and feature huge windows overlooking the Catskill mountains.
The interiors are very minimalist: white oak, bluestone floors, clean lines, natural materials, and basically zero visual clutter. There are no TVs in the cabins, which feels very intentional when you're looking at a wall of trees instead.
The main house has a restaurant and lounge, while the spa is built into the hillside and includes a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and heated outdoor pool. Breakfast is delivered directly to your cabin every morning in a wooden box.
Why it's perfect for fall
If you want a Catskills fall getaway where you barely have to leave your hotel, this is it. After a day of leaf peeping or hiking, you can go from sauna to cold plunge to the heated outdoor pool while looking out over the mountains.
Best for: Design lovers, couples, wellness travelers, and anyone who considers a beautiful hotel part of the destination.
5. Urban Cowboy Lodge
Big Indian, New York
Urban Cowboy Lodge is what happens when a Western ranch, an Alpine lodge, and a very cool Brooklyn bar somehow become one hotel.
Located on 200 acres in Big Indian, the lodge sits along Esopus Creek and has 44 rooms surrounded by mountains, trails, and forest.
The vibe is rustic, but definitely not rustic in the “I haven't showered in three days” way. Think vintage furniture, Western-inspired decor, fireplaces, shuffleboard, arcade games, soaking tubs, Estonian saunas, and a restaurant serving cozy dishes like raclette and fondue.
Basically, it's designed for the exact kind of fall weekend most of us actually want: go outside, get muddy, come back, take a very long bath, eat cheese, repeat.
Why it's perfect for fall
Urban Cowboy calls the experience “après-hike,” and it makes perfect sense. The property connects directly to trails in the Big Indian Wilderness, so you can spend the day hiking through peak foliage and then come back to a hot tub and a wood-fired sauna.
Best for: Couples, groups of friends, hikers, and anyone who wants their fall getaway to feel a little more social.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Catskills in Fall?
If you're planning a Catskills fall foliage trip, timing matters. Peak foliage generally moves through the region from late September into October, with higher elevations changing first and lower elevations following behind.
The exact timing changes every year depending on weather, so there’s never a guaranteed “peak weekend.” If seeing the leaves is your priority, look at late September through mid-October and keep a little flexibility in your schedule.
And if you can travel during the week, even better. A Tuesday or Wednesday in the Catskills can feel completely different from a packed October Saturday.
What to Do in the Catskills in Fall
Obviously, you can spend your entire trip doing absolutely nothing at your hotel. I support that.
But if you want to explore, fall is one of the best times to get outside:
Hike through the Catskill Mountains
Take a scenic fall drive
Visit Woodstock and other small mountain towns
Check out local farms and farmers markets
Go apple picking or cider tasting
Explore waterfalls
Visit local breweries and restaurants
Stargaze
Photograph the fall foliage
Spend the evening around a fire pit
A Few Tips for Planning a Catskills Fall Getaway
Book earlier than you think.
Fall is one of the busiest seasons in the Catskills, especially on October weekends. These smaller boutique properties have limited rooms, so the good ones can disappear quickly.
Consider a weekday.
If your schedule allows it, a midweek stay can mean fewer crowds, better availability, and sometimes lower rates.
Don't plan every minute.
The Catskills are made for wandering. Leave room for a scenic drive, a random farm stand, a cute coffee shop, or that restaurant you didn't know about until you drove past it.
Bring layers.
Fall weather in the mountains can change quickly. Mornings can be cold, afternoons can be surprisingly warm, and evenings can get chilly fast. Definitely bring comfortable shoes.
Want help planning your Catskills fall getaway?
There are a lot of beautiful hotels in the Catskills, but the right one really depends on your travel style. Want a romantic cabin with a sauna? Stylish glamping? A hotel where the architecture is basically the main attraction? Or somewhere you can hike all day and eat fondue at night?
That’s where Altrove comes in. I can help you choose the right hotel, plan your activities, find the best restaurants, and build a fall getaway that actually feels like you.
Start Planning Now!
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