Heaven on the Hudson

  |  February 10, 2015
Hudsonfinished

As Henry David Thoreau once said, “Who hears the rippling of rivers will not utterly despair of anything.” We thought this quote was slightly hyperbolic at first, but then we spent a good long time ooh-ing and aah-ing over the following three rentals, and we have already noticed a significant mood boost. Just imagine the despair you won’t feel if you actually visit one of these delightful abodes…..

 1) Stunning Hudson Contemporary

hudson1

Price/night: $300-$415
Accommodations: Full house, 2 bedrooms
Max guests: 6
Min stay: 3 nights
House description:
Lesly and Angela’s little haven by the river is equal parts enchantment and comfort. The home itself features everything we love about contemporary design – beautiful, light wood tones, a rich mix of textures, and a tasteful (not overpowering) selection of decorations that pay homage to the old and the new. As for this retreat’s livability? Well, considering one guest stayed for over a year and gave the location a stellar review, you can bet you will feel quite at home at this gorgeous Hudson dwelling.

Sample reviews:

“I had the pleasure of renting this house from June 2012 to Sept 2013– and I cannot say enough great things. The view is absolutely stunning– especially when viewed from the large deck out front while grilling. The landscaped backyard behind the house is great for kids to run around or a casual picnic under the weeping willow tree. The house itself is modern, very well maintained and the perfect size for 1-2 couples. Location-wise, you are ~1mile from the main drag in Hudson, NY– which is a true gem. Loads of antique stores, interior design stores, art galleries and fine dining. There is an Amtrak stop in town as well, making for easy travel from NYC or Albany. And finally, the owners, Lesly and Angela, are super responsive and a pleasure to work with. You simply cannot go wrong in renting this property!”

“We rented this home in early September 2011. It is a modern, clean and cozy house with everything you need for a fabulous stay. Views from the inside and outside are simply spectacular! We enjoyed evening sunset over the Catskills in vibrant oranges while relaxing on the deck. You are high enough to enjoy miles of scenic Hudson River views as well. The town of Hudson is within a few minutes drive where you will enjoy great shops and excellent restaurants. Don’t miss a tour of Olana also a few minutes drive away. We rent often through VRBO and I can say this is one of the nicest homes we have had the pleasure of visiting. I highly recommend it!!”

2) 1800s Brick Abode in Newburgh

hudson2

Price/night: $70
Accommodations: Private room, 1 bed
Max guests: 2
Min stay: 2 nights
House description:
The host of this classically elegant brick townhouse is excited about his city, and guests to this cozy rental are known to become Newburgh converts themselves. The room itself is tastefully organized and comfortable, and Joshua and his canine companion Skillet are more than happy to show visitors everything that the location has to offer, including local hiking trails, riverside attractions, and the variety of unique eateries popping up everywhere in the Burgh.

Sample reviews:

“Joshua’s house is a beautiful old home, that is very quiet, clean and a wonderful place to stay. The neighborhood overlooks the river and is flush with great, old architecture. Joshua is very knowledgeable about the area and offered many helpful recommendations. The area is a little tricky without a car, but totally doable with some walking and a few cabs. It was a great, quiet weekend out of the city!”

“Staying at Joshua’s home was a great experience for us. He owns an absolutely beautiful home in an up-and-coming neighborhood in Newburgh. The interior is minimalist; masculine but welcoming. We arrived at night, so it was a big surprise to see the incredible views of the Hudson River and the mountains beyond in the morning!

There was lots of great stuff to do closeby; Martha’s for breakfast, museums and antiquing in the afternoon, and the Newburgh Brewery–less than a 5 minute drive away–for the evening.

We had a wonderful stay with Joshua and his adorable dog, Skillet. They joined us for a hike at Minnewaska State Park and were great company. Will definitely be booking again this summer!”

3) Luxurious Highland Retreat

hudson4

Price/night: $450
Accommodations: Full house, 4 bedrooms
Max guests: 8
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
It would be very difficult to find a rental with views that rival those of Maria’s contemporary home on the Hudson. By all means, we invite you to try, but we’d suggest that you try waking up to the sun rising over the river at this luxurious destination first.

Sample reviews:

“I highly recommend staying in this beautiful home with a view of the Hudson and not another home or structure in sight. The sunrise on Sunday morning (complete with fog rising from the Hudson) was magical. The salt water pool would be lovely in warmer weather. The layout of the home is open and perfect for cooking and hanging out with a small group. One item to note is that there is currently only one real mattress in the house — in the master bedroom (the other two bedrooms have air mattresses.) This set-up worked fine for us, but should be considered if this is not preferable for other groups considering the house. Maria was kind and responsive and was flexible with our arrival and departure times.”

“We only had a short stay at this awesome house but we took full advantage. The check in was very easy and getting in touch with the host was just as easy. Our group spent time checking out the awesome views off the balcony of the Hudson, swimming in the pool and visiting nearby New Paltz, NY.
After an easy check out, the host ha found a box that was ours and got in contact with us do we could come back and grab it, which was great of her to do and easily done.
Thank you for a great stay!!”

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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