In the Warm Glow of a Weekend

  |  March 1, 2015
WGW

We hear it’s almost spring. The Rockettes are heralding in the new season with the opening of the Spring Spectacular, and every grocery store in town is now selling Easter candy. And yet, we are not so easily fooled. We’ve seen recent weather reports, and we’re not planning on retiring the earmuffs any time soon. In fact, we may just make the most of the chilly weather by indulging in the simple luxury of a fire’s glow. We have three upstate restaurants in mind that offer the cozy hearthside dining experience we crave, so we found a few rentals nearby to call home after supper at Serevan, Iron Forge Inn, and Charlotte’s Restaurant:

1) Luxurious Amenia Farmhouse

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Price/night: $210
Accommodations: Full house, 4 bedrooms
Max guests: 7
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
We can’t get enough of the sumptuous interior of Cari’s farmhouse. Antique rugs, enchanting murals, and unique artifacts have been placed thoughtfully throughout the home to create a completely separate and unique world for guests. And the rental’s proximity to Serevan presents an opportunity for farmhouse-hopping! We recommend following an afternoon spent curled up with a book in the library with an Armenian-inspired dish from chef and owner Serge Madikians.

2) Stylish Warwick Craftsman 

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Price/night: $300
Accommodations: Full house, 3 bedrooms
Max guests: 6
Min stay: 3 nights
House description:
This adorable little craftsman abode has its own following of fans and repeat-renters, and it’s not due exclusively to the discount guests receive to consciousfork (though that is a huge plus in our book). Kim’s rental has universal appeal. The space is welcoming, bright, and well-furnished, and the host has received nothing but rave reviews since joining Airbnb. With the Iron Forge Inn right down the road as well, Kim may make total Warwick converts out of us yet…

Sample reviews:

This house was extremely spacious, stylishly decorated, spotless, and above all in a great spot right near the wonderful historical village of Warwick.

Kim, the host, was extremely friendly and helpful, taking the time to give us some very handy tips and recommendations of where to go in the area. She also runs a nearby vegan restaurant called the Conscious Fork which sells delicious smoothies and salads. Wish we could have stayed for longer!!

We had a lovely stay at Kim’s home for six nights with our toddler. We would certainly recommend it to friends. It was the perfect location for all the fall activities around Warwick. We walked to town a few times which was nice but also a trade off since the house is on a busy road. The house has some quirks but overall we enjoyed exploring the enormous wooded backyard and nightly fires in the cozy living room. The beds were super comfortable, firm and supportive, and we slept really well. I loved the warm blankets in every room of the house, very thoughtful. Kim was a great host and was accommodating to our last minute requests. We also enjoyed a few yummy and healthy meals at her restaurant in town. Thanks for a great stay!

3) Country Cottage in Millbrook
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Price/night: $350
Accommodations: Full house, 4 bedrooms
Max guests: 7
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
Marcia’s rental may very well be the cutest little Cape Cod on VRBO. With its elegant furnishings and light, springy interior, the cottage promises a tranquil and restorative weekend, especially for those of us who have felt particularly nature-deprived in recent weeks. We suggest taking advantage of this home’s proximity to Millbrook and making a reservation for Charlotte’s Restaurant, one of our favorite hearthside dining destinations.

Sample reviews:

“This charming house exceeded our expectations! From the time we made our first inquiry to our deposit being refunded the owner was extremely responsive, very helpful and thorough. The house is very spacious, clean and more importantly the décor is so warm and inviting you feel like you are in your own home. There is nothing this house doesn’t offer – I highly recommend this rental.”

“We really enjoyed this charming, immaculate, spacious and really comfortable country house, with lovely wooded views. Marcia did everything to make us feel welcome. So well-equipped if you feel like preparing a feast…or just relax and enjoy the Eastern bluebirds covering the surrounding trees. Try NOT falling asleep reading a book on her comfy chaise! And you’re just 5 minutes away from good restaurants (e.g. Les Baux French bistro or have a drink at the cozy bar at Charlotte’s), upscale food shops (Babette’s for great baguettes and the best upside down cake anywhere, prepared foods at Slammin’ Salmon), lovely gift and boutique clothing shops…as well as Marona’s grocery for terrific steaks or McEnroe’s for organic produce, the wonderful Merritt Bookstore, the friendly Millbrook diner, professional medical offices, etc., and of course, unequaled equestrian facilities. Or take a short drive into quaint Millerton for an art film at the Moviehouse.”

About Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Wilson is an Upstater born and bred with a generalist’s education and a specialist’s passion for the Hudson Valley. Ask nicely and she’ll make you a bagel sandwich. Ask really nicely and she’ll accompany that bagel sandwich with a Bob Dylan impersonation.

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