3 Gems for Your Weekend on the Starship

  |  March 11, 2015
Zepperella

Zepparella is hitting the road from sunny CA to New York this weekend to give the Northeast a little taste of their take on the music of Led Zeppelin. Less a tribute band in the old-fashioned sense and more a celebration of the power of great music, the members of the group, drummer Clementine, guitarist Gretchen Menn, bassist Angeline Saris, and vocalist Noelle Doughty, are constantly taking on new projects and collaborating with other acclaimed artists (catch them in the album Girls Got Rhythm!). We can’t wait to see what happens when the group graces upstate NY with their inventive and energetic Southern Cali vibes! Book your tickets for their show at The Chance here, and while you’re at it, might as well find yourself a cozy little Dutchess County rental for your weekend of Zeppelin immersion:


1) Dutchess County’s Scandinavian Room

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Price/night: $100
Accommodations: Private room, 1 bed
Max guests: 2
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
When you’re weekending in the territory of the Culinary Institute of America, you can count on high-caliber cuisine within a short drive/walk/bike ride. When you’re weekending at Troy’s magical Scandinavian-style home in Hyde Park, you can count on high-caliber cuisine as soon as you rouse from a deep sleep in your comfy queen sized bed. Troy’s elaborate breakfasts are an extension of the Scandinavian theme of his getaway in the form of delicious pastries, cheeses, and of course, coffee, and if you time your vacation just right, you may have the opportunity to join in his “Friday Fish dinner.”

Sample reviews:

“From the moment we booked our two rooms to the day we departed, we knew that we had made the right choice to stay with Troy on our first trip to Hyde Park. We came to check out the Culinary Institute of America for our daughter, and to see if we were all comfortable with the school and the area. With a blizzard looming, we were concerned with travel but Troy was very flexible and kept us informed. When we arrived for our 3-night stay, he welcomed us to his beautiful home with a glowing fire in the fireplace and dozens of candles, including stunning ice candles outside that he had made. His home is beautifully decorated in the Scandinavian tradition, and we learned a lot about that culture. Troy cooked us wonderful food, and invited us to an intimate gathering of friends to their weekly Friday Fish dinner. I truly can’t imagine a better experience for our first stay with Airbnb than in the lovely home of kind, interesting, creative and generous Troy. We look forward to staying again in the future, and feel great that our daughter has her first friend in Hyde Park!”

“My fiance and I stayed in the Dutchess room for 2 nights with the intention of escaping from the city during Valentine’s weekend and writing our vows for our wedding next month. We couldn’t have stayed in a better place! Troy was an amazing host- he far exceeded our expectations and took measures to go above and beyond. His home was beautiful, inviting, and more than comfortable. He not only opened his wonderful home to us, but he also prepared a beautiful Scandinavian breakfast with all the trimmings! Also, since we were there for Valentine’s Day, he invited us to join him for a dinner along with other renters and friends. Let’s just say, Troy is an incredible chef and he is equally generous. You can tell that Troy loves to host and make people feel at home- we really got the sense that we were being welcomed as friends, not just as paying guests. We normally don’t like to stay at the same place twice, but have already made plans to come back this year!”


2) Hyde Park Farmhouse

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Price/night: $400
Accommodations: Full house, 1 bed
Max guests: 8
Min stay: 2 nights
House description:
This Hyde Park stunner has piqued our curiosity – when was it built? Who were the original owners? And how the heck was it hiding under our radar for so long?? We’re going to delegate the task of investigating to your group. When you’re done enjoying the warm glow from the fieldstone fireplace or checking out the myriad nearby attractions (FDR museum, golf, horseback riding, to name just a few), we ask that you do a little field research and get back to us on this beautiful home. Maybe ask about a group discount for locals as well? Just an idea…

Sample reviews:

“We so enjoyed our stay at this house over Memorial Day weekend. As a frequent renter of vacation homes, it is always so nice to happen upon one with all the amenities of home, a beautiful setting, and very accommodating and thoughtful owners, all within a short distance from NYC for a weekend getaway. The outdoor grounds are lovely and the inside is warm and inviting. My parents and my 3 y.o. alike enjoyed it as much as my husband and I did. My daughter still talks about the tree swing on the old maple in the backyard.”

“Gorgeous contry setting located between Hyde Park and Rhinebeck. Beautiful grounds, inground pool and country charm throughout. We were extremely delighted with our surroundings and our stay was perfect! The kitchen was fully stocked, linens, towels etc… nice screened in porch, landscaping, and this large home is spotless! Looking forward to staying here again in the future.”


3) Rhinebeck Chateau

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Price/night: $850
Accommodations: Full house, 4 bedrooms
Max guests: 11
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
It never ceases to amaze us how quickly one can go from the heart of Manhattan to a completely separate universe of farmland and forest. Hop off the train at the Poughkeepsie station, and your weekend at Le Petit Chateau is less than a ten-minute drive away. From there, it’s up to you whether or not you take the opportunity to roam the countryside or stroll through nearby markets for fresh produce. Or, for those who prefer to keep their leisure activities indoors, guests to the chateau are invited to participate in their own private cooking demo led by a professional chef!

Sample reviews:

“My husband and I had a wonderful week at Le Petit Château with our adult daughters, and their husbands. The owner were very helpful with all our questions and concerns from first inquiry to final details upon arrival. The listing description was accurate regarding the location. We were minutes from Rhinebeck village, Kingston, and the many local attractions and parks along the valley. The listing photos accurately reflected the rental’s appearance and amenities. It has a large back yard and great pond to sit and watch the ducks. The kitchen was nicely equipped for good cooking. The property was clean and well maintained, I especially enjoyed that each bedroom had its own bathroom. The living area and whole house is quite spacious and fit our six adults perfectly.Our family had a wonderful week of local adventures and quiet time at the Inn. We even wandered south to the bridge walk across the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, great fun! One feature of the location is that it’s minutes to seasonal farmers’ markets and large grocery stores as needed. Hyde Park offers tasty and interesting restaurants along with lovely shops. There are many local cultural and art venues for which we didn’t have time. We will surely visit Le Petit Château again and recommend this property to those who enjoy unique homes for family gatherings with a private setting and a location that makes daily excursions an easy drive. Next time we want to take the train, since the train station is minutes away. Le Petit Château is a perfect gathering place for family, friends and/or romance.”

“Stayed here for a birthday weekend. The perfect spot for a romantic get away. Everything is supplied for a nice home away from home. Decor is beautiful and very clean. The pond is a great spot to have coffee in the morning or wine in the afternoon.”

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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