From the Catskills: Some Good News for Vacation Renters, Some Bad News for Rental Owners

  |  July 7, 2015
sherwoods inn at riverview

The Sherwoods Inn at Riverview, SUNY Delhi. From the Sherwoods Inn FB page.

Let’s break protocol and go with bad news first. Well, potentially bad news if you’re the owner of a vacation rental in Delaware County, that is. According to this article published on WatershedPost.com, the state legislature voted back in June to levy a bed tax on all Delaware County hotel rooms and vacation rentals at a rate of 2%. Yep, that includes AirB&Bs. We’ve heard grumblings about the bed tax from rental and hotel owners, but if there is one glimmer of hope for them as Gov. Cuomo has to sign the bill and then the local law is draft then goes up for public hearing. At least that gives rental/hotel owners time to mentally and spiritually prepare for a 2% occupancy tax every time they sell a room. Or, perhaps it’s a boon for the county? More money for services? If you’re a rental/hotel owner in Delaware County, let us know what you think.

And now for some good news: Add one more place to rest your head in the Catskills, and in a fairly ingenious way, to boot. SUNY Delhi in Delaware County is using some of its off-campus student housing as a B&B during the summer months to meet the ever-increasing demand for accommodations. The Sherwoods Inn at Riverview consists of townhouse units, each unit able to accommodate 12 guests. Guests can rent one room or a multitude for, say, a wedding party. A double-occupancy room rents for $59/night or $349/night for the whole town house unit. That’s really, really good. Sure, it’s a room, but for a group, that could be an affordable way to stay in the Catskills and explore the area. Read more from Watershed Post, and check at their FB page. Will they be subject to the new bed tax? Stay tuned. Meanwhile, here’s a peek at Sherwoods Inn:

sherwoods inn at riverview3 sherwoods inn at riverview2

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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