Winter Clove Inn All-Inclusive Family Resort in the Catskills
The White Clove Inn is an all-inclusive family resort in the Catskills region of upstate New York. It is the perfect place for a weekend getaway or home base for exploring neighboring towns and villages in the Catskill Mountain region. The Winter Clove Inn is also a fantastic destination for family reunions, weddings, and retreats too.
HISTORY OF THE WINTER CLOVE INN
The Winter Clove Inn is a family-run hotel that has been operating for almost two hundred years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating all-inclusive resorts in the United States. In fact, it is America’s oldest single family-owned inn! This Registered Historic Site was built in 1800s back when visitors started to head to the Catskills to escape the hectic pace of New York City.
In the summer of 1838, Elihu Slater opened the farmhouse to guests using the name of Winter Clove that was found on early maps. Surveyors named the area because the valley was the last to turn to spring after the winter snow and ice.
Fast-forward to the 1860s when Henry Barber Whitcomb surveyed the area and not only discovered the beautiful property, but he met and married Elihu’s daughter Mary. The couple later inherited the inn and expanded it.
Five generations later, the Whitcomb family still proudly owns the Winter Clove Inn. As soon as you step foot in the lobby, you can experience the historic charm and old-fashioned welcome that the family has been providing to travelers for centuries.
WHERE IS WINTER CLOVE INN LOCATION?
The Winter Clove Inn is situated at the base of North Mountain in the town of Round Top. It is about 2.5 hours from New York City and Central New Jersey and a four-hour drive from the Washington D.C. area. The Village of Catskill is the closest downtown area, just 15 minutes away. Other popular day trips including skiing and visiting the nearby towns of Saugerties, Woodstock, and Hudson are about a 30-minute commute.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED AT THE WINTER CLOVE INN?
Outdoor Activities
The Winter Clove Inn is a four-season resort offering a lot to do no matter what time of year you are visiting! One of the biggest natural attractions are the hiking trails. There are several well-marked trails spread across three hundred acres behind the resort that vary in length and difficulty. The trails border the Catskill Wilderness Park and offer nice views of the mountains. We were able to see the maple syrup being tapped in the trails on our most recent visit!
Even if hiking is not your thing, you can enjoy the views without much effort! Artist Falls is a 25-foot-high waterfall that is an easy 5-minute walk from the lobby. Alfred Clark Covered Bridge overlooks the falls and offers an additional view of the scenery.
The grounds also include a playground, a 9-hole golf course (no fee to play), tire swings, and access to thirty miles of mountain biking trails. Basketball courts, lighted tennis courts, horseshoes, volleyball, lawn games, and an outdoor pool are open seasonally.
Indoor Activities
If the weather outside is frightful, there are plenty of indoor things to do too! The Winter Clove Inn has a spacious indoor pool and an indoor gym room so you can get in a good workout. The Main Inn also has a spacious living room area that is a wonderful place to spend time with family, play games, and catch up on a delightful book. The front porch is another spacious hangout area that has lots of rocking chairs overlooking the front lawn.
Kids especially love spending time in the game room! Activities include ping pong, air hockey, shuffleboard, giant chess, and billiards. There is also an antique bowling alley with limited nighttime hours right on the property. There is a small fee for bowling and shoe rental, but it is a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a commercial bowling alley. Plus, they have lighter balls, gutter guards, and bowling aids so smaller kids can learn how to bowl.
During weekends, additional nightly entertainment may be offered. When we were there during the summer, there was a magic show. During our winter stay, there was karaoke in the lounge. Both times we stayed, there was also a bonfire with free s’mores. Our kids really loved that! Movie nights and hayrides are offered seasonally as well.
ALL-INCLUSIVE DINING
The Winter Clove Inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Portions are very generous, and the food is freshly prepared by the chef. If you have any special dietary restrictions, let the staff know when you book so that they can accommodate your needs. I am vegetarian and I loved everything that was provided for me….and I am a meticulous eater!
Breakfast
Breakfast starts with coffee, tea, choice of juice, and breakfast bread. Options include eggs any style, pancakes, French toast, breakfast meat, hot and cold cereal, and fresh fruit. They also have pure maple syrup made on-site, which is a nice treat!
Lunch
For lunch, you can eat in the dining room or request a bagged lunch with peanut butter and jelly or a choice of deli meats and cheeses as well as water and snacks if you plan to be out hiking or off on an excursion. If you eat on-site, you can enjoy homemade soup, a choice of two entrees as well as a children’s option. Dessert is also served.
Dinner
Dinner starts with a salad and bread. You can choose between two menu options as well as another choice for kids.
For our first night, there was a choice of sole oreganata or roast pork. The kid’s meal was chicken fingers. I opted for the vegetarian meal of breaded cauliflower steak. I never had that before. It was delicious! Each meal came with a sizable portion of rice pilaf and perfectly seasoned green beans. Dessert was our choice of apple pie or ice cream. The pie tasted homemade. I highly recommend it if you get the chance!
On the second night, there was a choice of baked chicken or roast beef with broccoli and smashed potatoes along with a Caesar salad to start. The vegetarian entree was a quinoa and cheese stuffed pepper topped with tomato sauce. With chocolate cake or ice cream for dessert. We asked if they had apple pie leftover, and they did so we had it for a second time.
You have the option to order drinks from the bar at lunch and dinner (additional fee). We tried an apricot wheat ale and locally brewed Rip Van Winkle lager.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE NEAR THE WINTER CLOVE INN?
There are a lot of fun things to do near the Winter Clove Inn. Below is a list of activities that you can check out on your trip.
Beer & Wine Tasting
Mountain Brauhaus is an authentic indoor biergarten that is a half-mile down the road. On the weekends, they have live entertainment and traditional German dancers. Hours change seasonally so be sure to call before you go.
Rip Van Winkle is a popular brewery that is only 10 minutes away. They offer seven varieties of beer brewed on-site.
The downtown Village of Catskill area is home to Subversive Malting + Brewing and Crossroads Brewing Company as well as Left Bank Ciders for those that prefer a sweeter option.
For wine lovers, Whitecliff Vineyard is a family-owned winery that offers award-winning sustainable and vegan vintages in nearby Hudson. Tousey Winery is a further drive in Germantown New York. They offer tastings, have a café, and host seasonal events. Leashed dogs are allowed at both wineries.
Art & History
The Thomas Cole Historic Site is a 20-minute drive away. Private guided tours are available by appointment, or you can stop by and enjoy the views of the mountains from this National Historic Landmark that was the home and studio of painter Thomas Cole.
The Olana State Historic Site is situated on the other side of the scenic Rip Van Winkle Bridge and is the former home to another notable area artist, Frederic Edwin Church. Olana is a sprawling 250-acre property with a distinctive mansion home in the center. Entrance to the grounds is free. Paid public and private tour options are available that allow you to see inside the home. There is also a museum store and seasonal programs and events.
The Woodstock Museum, located in Saugerties, is another day trip option. It is open seasonally and provides a fun look into the “hipstory” of the famous Woodstock Festival.
Shopping
The Village of Catskill has a fabulous main street with locally owned shops, antique stores, and boutiques. Kirwans Game Store is also a fun place to browse. They have a mind-boggling assortment of Pop Collectibles, trading cards, games, comic books, and other novelty merchandise.
Hudson is a trendy spot that has an assortment of antique shops, independent boutiques, and eateries on Warren Street. We did not find this area as impressive as what we had read.
Saugerties and Woodstock are other popular shopping destinations.
Hiking
Katerskill Falls is a must do if you are in the area! It is home to one of the largest waterfalls on the East Coast. The viewing platform is an easy walk from the car or you can opt for a longer hike.
Falling Waters is another popular destination in Saugerties. It is a paved trail with small waterfalls and cliffs that overlook the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.
Winter Sports
There are two ski areas within 30 minutes of the Winter Clove Inn. Windham Mountain is the closest option. Windham Mountain offers skiing, snow tubing, and a seasonal mountain bike park. Hunter Mountain is the most popular ski location. They also have a snow tubing park on-site.
Other Recreational Options
For those that are brave, the New York Zipline Adventure Tour at Hunter Mountain is the highest and fastest zipline across the Catskill Mountains. Golfers can take their pick from nine different golf courses within a 30-minute drive. Zoom Flume Water Park is a fun family option during the summer months. There are also multiple kayaking locations throughout the region.
