Saugerties’ Upscale Getaway

  |  February 27, 2012

One of the things people like about Saugerties is that it doesn’t feel like the Hamptons of upstate. Yes, lots of vintage stores, and a couple of mid-century antique shops, but it caters to locals and folks of average income, as opposed to the fancy shops of Hudson or the moneyed residents of Rhinebeck.

But that didn’t stop Thomas Struzzieri from opening Ulster County’s first luxury boutique hotel (not that you can’t drop $500 a night elsewhere in the county; there’s always Mohonk). Diamond Mills, which had its grand opening in December, has 30 rooms next to a waterfall on the Esopus Creek, and serves up luxury like any Manhattan hotel (a sure sign: the $15 cheeseburger).

Struzzieri is also behind the annual Horses in the Sun equestrian event, so the hotel caters to that set. As he told the luxury magazine Robb Report, “‘They end up staying as far away as New Paltz. Luxury lodging around here was in short supply.’ Basically, he built Diamond Mills as a place for his horse-show colleagues and friends to stay in, but now it’s poised to become a hot spot for city folks looking for weekend getaways. Phones have been buzzing for the upcoming wedding season.”

There’s currently a ski-season package on offer, at the discounted rate of $225/night.

 

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