Old-School Creature Comforts and 21st-Century Amenities in Rosendale

  |  December 18, 2014
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Offerings in the restored 1870’s bar of the 1850 House Inn and Tavern include signature cocktails, Hudson Valley wines and 10 beers on tap.

According to Wikipedia, the term “inn” refers to an establishment or building where travelers can seek lodging and, usually, food and drink. Typically they may be found in the country or along a highway. I’m not sure about Wikipedia’s readers, but for me this antiseptic description nullifies the romance, appeal and character of an inn. Having read Agatha Christie mysteries in my youth, the term “inn” denotes a different set of descriptive terms for me. Foliage, gardens, quaint rooms with scenic views, an intimate bar for drinks and perhaps one or more spaces for intimate dining. During our DC years, Gary and I frequented an inn in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, called The Corner Cupboard. In business since 1932, The Corner Cupboard billed itself as “the Inn that was In before Inns were In.” Long after the demise of The Corner Cupboard, Gary and I still love the appeal of an inn.

Though The Corner Cupboard’s sentimental appeal of days gone by had its charm, in reality Gary and I are creatures of 21st-century comfort. Amenities such as WiFi, flat screens, quality linens and comfortable bedding are necessities. An inn that features a cozy fireplace-lit bar in the fall and winter months or an enticing outdoor garden or deck space in the spring and summer months, is guaranteed to be an instant hook.

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The 1850 House is frequently referred to as a “gem” by former guests’ online reviews.

One quiet December day in 2012 began with an unexpected call from a friend… “Hello, darling! Would you and Gary like to join me for the opening of the 1850 House in Rosendale?” asked an exuberant design editor/author friend. I’d heard the local buzz surrounding restoration of the 1850 House Inn and Tavern, so naturally my response was a resounding yes.

Often, an opening party defines how an exhibition, restaurant or new business will succeed. The 1850 House’s opening event underscored the diversity that characterizes both the Hudson Valley and the Inn’s future clientele. High-profile Manhattan photographers were immersed in conversation with Woodstock artists, event planners exchanged business cards with silversmiths, and long-time residents chatted with local farmers. The eye-candy of the evening, though, were the public spaces and guest accommodations of the 1850 House. In the tavern, the original 1870s bar had been restored to perfection. The lounge — with its large windows, authentic stained glass and oversized fireplace — seemed aglow. The upper-floor bedrooms featured architectural accents and appealing decor whispered, “Close the door and settle in for a while.”

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The tavern room provides a perfect setting for lounging and events.

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The architectural uniqueness of each guest room is enhanced by their many amenities.

Since their initial opening in 2012, the 1850 House Inn and Tavern has become a destination spot for travelers of all varieties: parents of students attending area colleges often find themselves lodging at the 1850. Bridal parties are frequently found relaxing on the exterior deck. Skiers heading to the slopes of Belleayre, Hunter or Windham reserve accommodations for the night or weekend. In the summer months, the Rondout river views, close proximity to hiking and sailing venues lead quickly to sold-out reservations.

According to Mike Ruger, proprietor of the Inn, the Elopement Package has become one of their most popular guest packages. A new twist on the ever popular Hudson Valley wedding, the Elopement Package appeals to guests looking for a low-key wedding. Couples with a valid marriage certificate may arrange to be married by the local Justice of the Peace in one of the Inn’s exterior or interior spaces.

About Haynes Llewellyn

Haynes Llewellyn, an interior designer, preservationist and accomplished party planner, relocated to the Hudson Valley city of Kingston from Manhattan’s Central Park West neighborhood in 2007. During Haynes’s almost nine years in the Hudson Valley, he has been featured in numerous television, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews. Haynes’s first Kingston restoration project was of a Historic 1840’s Greek Revival home, featured in the recently released Rizzoli Interior Design book Heart and Home: Rooms that Tell Stories by Linda Okeeffe. Haynes has served on a number of boards of directors, event committees and commissions since arriving in the Hudson Valley. Haynes, along with his two Scottish Terrier Rescues and partner Gary Swenson, is currently in the process of renovating his second Kingston home, a 1939 Colonial.

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