Just Get a Room Already

  |  March 2, 2015
PR2

Sure, we all crave the luxury of staking out an entire rental home as our own for an agreed-upon period of time. And yet, there is something to be said for sharing. More often than not, the best memories, and the best stories, come from the vacations spent living with new people and navigating a new space together. So while we enjoy guiding our readers towards full-home retreats both big and small, today’s assemblage of rentals consists of three highly-rated private rooms (five stars and 50+ rave reviews).

1) The Beacon Hermitage
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Price/night: $120
Accommodations: Private room, 1 bed
Max guests: 2
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
This is normally the part where we give you a quick snapshot of what your getaway will look like at this particular rental, however, we found a video created by the host of the Beacon Hermitage and it’s the cutest thing on Youtube, so grab some popcorn and sit back for your multimedia intro to Jim’s gorgeous home:

Sample reviews:

“Put simply, our experience was top-notch. We had a little trouble finding the place. We called Jim and he gave us perfect directions (better than (website hidden)), left a wedding he had just officiated and at the meet us at Beacon Hermitage. Once we settle in, everything went smoothly. The place was perfect, Jim’s advice was great and the breakfast waiting for us when we woke up was delicious and plentiful. I would not hesitate to stay there again or recommend the Beacon Hermitage to anyone.”

“We stayed two nights at the beautiful beacon hermitage. Our experience was absolutely delightful. The house is eclectic, artistic and wonderfully unique. We stayed in the Green Room which was a comfortable and relaxing space. The grounds are a highlight of this bed and breakfast, they are well maintained and provide tranquil areas to relax and enjoy nature. We were also able to enjoy the hiking trails that begin feet from the Hermitage grounds and take you up to phenomenal views of the beautiful Hudson River. Our host Jim was so welcoming and helpful in every way. His breakfasts were delicious and lovely ways to start our days. Jim goes above and beyond to welcome you into his home and even helped celebrate our anniversary trip by bringing us a cupcake our first morning there. All around this was an amazing trip and we look forward to finding another opportunity to visit the Hermitage again!”

2) Benjamin Ten Broeck House
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Price/night: $125
Accommodations: Private room, 1 bed
Max guests: 2
Min stay: 1 night
House description:
You can find the early history of the United States on display in museums and locked up tight in archives all over the country, or you could hop on the MTA to Rhinecliff and get a more immersive lesson on the founding of the Empire State at the Benjamin Ten Broeck House. There is a clear advantage to the latter option – only after you have narrowly avoided hitting your head on the low door frame of a Dutch Colonial for the second or third time can you really appreciate how short New Amsterdam’s seventeenth-century settlers were. Robert’s farmhouse is decked in elegant antique furnishings, and while Peter Stuyvesant’s generation may have never indulged in biscotti, previous guests seem to have accepted the addition of modern amenities without complaint.

Sample reviews:

“You could almost imagine being taken back in time staying at Ten Broeck house, with its thick stone walls, wide plank floors, huge beams and period furnishings. The room is very comfortable and homey, with many welcoming touches. We very much appreciated the privacy and found all the goodies they left us for breakfast were plenty (delicious little pastries!)

The house is extremely convenient to the Kingston bridge, and to the road to Bard – we were there for a family weekend and visit with our daughter. I would definitely stay there again.”

“Wish we could have stayed longer. We weren’t quite sure what to expect and we chose this location based on convenience, but after arriving from a long day of driving, we were completely blown away. The owners breathed new life into this historic house with a few beautiful upgrades of modern comfort so that staying at the Benjamin Ten Broeck House perfectly compliments a visit to the beautiful historic Hudson Valley. Additional conveniences included a private entrance to the room, close proximity to Bard College, and thoughtful details provided for comfort and decoration. With a long day ahead, we felt totally restored and relaxed. An amazing find, we can’t wait to be back in the Hudson Valley to get a chance to stay there again.”

3) Kingston’s Blue Room
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Price/night: $165
Accommodations: Private room, 1 bed
Max guests: 2
Min stay: 2 nights
House description:
Julie and Peter’s “Church des Artistes” is an architectural opus in a constant state of evolution, and their rental’s fanclub/small Airbnb army is a testament to this work of art’s public reception. Guests seem to absorb the creative energy of the church and tap into their newfound powers of expression via adoring Airbnb review after adoring Airbnb review. So why not use the Blue Room as your headquarters for a weekend in Kingston’s Rondout district? Sounds like an inspired plan to us!

Sample reviews:

“My family and I had the most lovely, art filled, and warm weekend in Kingston with Peter and Julie. Between the breath taking accommodations, mouth watering breakfasts, and the comfy dream inspiring bed… We could not have asked for more. To boot we were also able to enjoy incredible cross country ski and good meals not too far away. Even our 5 year old daughter was enamored!!

I can assure you that it is my hope to revisit the Church des Artistes during the other three seasons. What a great escape from NY.”

“We stayed at “Des Artistes” last weekend, it was amazing. Peter and Julie are lovely and warm people and amazing artists. Their home was beautiful, I mean its an old chapel, amazing!!!. Very clean and comfortable. It was great to wake up to beautiful blue stained glass windows. There are plenty of great art books to rummage through. I would definitely stay here again and recommend “des artistes” to anyone. They made us a delicious breakfast (the bread pudding was super yummy). Julie was nice enough to show us her studio and fantastic paintings. I did not want to leave!!!!”

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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