Native Americans once tracked Mountain Lions, Panthers, Bobcats, Gray Wolves, Black Bears, Deer, and more through the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Tanneries, farmers, and trappers followed and in the 1700s a group of businessmen opened the first grand American resort in a valley hamlet. Other great hotels rose and soon a Catskills getaway was fashionable for the “upper crust of Victorian New York.” Great artists painted views of rivers and sunsets which inspired more visitors to see it all for themselves. Vast parks remain and after WW2 affordable family hotels featured comedians and entertainers. The fictional settings of the movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ and the second season of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ have helped immortalize a Catskills getaway as an oasis from city cares.
Getting away from urban tensions and into all that green calms the most restless spirit. If you’re looking for luxury services or mindful retreats, the Catskills communities are re-inventing wellness.
Many thanks to Sullivan County Tourism, Visit Catskills, Travel Hudson Valley TBEX, and New York Tourism for hosting me on this adventure. As usual, all opinions are my own.
Natural therapies and Yoga retreats at YO1 Wellness Center
The world is full of wellness practices but in the Catskills there are new combinations emerging. The YO1 Wellness Center offers immersive 3 to 10-day packages including “luxury hotel accommodations.” There are unique combinations of Naturopathic and Ayurvedic practices, adapted for modern times. Weight, lifestyle and pain management, detox and stress relief measures are some of the specialties. The modern complex takes advantage of sunlight and views of the adjacent ‘pond.’
I took a restorative Yoga class in the loveliest studio. A huge Buddha, gong, and chimes sat near the windows that reflected a pond. Afterward one of the center’s Doctors gave us insights into Ayurvedic ingredients and practices. Before leaving, we sipped green juice, drank fresh teas and ate locally foraged foods at a terrace table with a view.
The Buddha in the forest – a personal reflection
The turnoff up to the Chuang Yen Monastery is modest. With the skies threatening rain, we parked quickly and strolled up to the main building while birds chattered in the dense green hugging the grounds. The central building rose before us with windows stretching several stories high. I was stunned to barely make out the silhouette of a giant figure. It was my first glimpse of the largest Buddha in the Western hemisphere. Quietly we took off our shoes at a side door and walked into the hushed space as monks set books and draped cloths across tables. Otherwise, my small group were the only visitors. The massive wooden building is a wonder in itself but the spiritual artwork was riveting in color and detail. A ring of Boddhisattvas emerged from the base of the big Buddha. Several other statues sat in front and we were welcome to study it all.
Outside a light rain began just as we entered an adjacent building. Here I was delighted to see several statues of Guan Yin, an Oriental goddess drawn from Chinese and ancient Indian lore. She has always reminded me of a mother’s compassion. Sometimes she’s depicted dancing, swirling scarves around her feet or clouds. Here we approached a richly framed porcelain version standing tall above the carpeted floor and again surrounded by replicas of Bodhisattvas.
Resort World Catskills Getaway
In Monticello, a sleek building rises far above the treetops. Resort World opened last year and is poised to pamper from the moment you enter the building. There’s a large casino, many restaurants, private VIP services from entry to gaming rooms, an expansive concert venue and each suite is spacious. It’s all laid out to capitalize on quiet and expansive luxury. The indoor pool and spa are vast, offering a playland for those wanting a quiet soak or, around a bend, a boisterous family reunion. The Five Star Resort also caters to Asian guests with multi-lingual staff and international cuisine. Americana is the focus in the casual restaurants and steakhouse. Large, adjacent parking lots make checking into Resort World easy. The Resort offers bus tours from most major cities in the NE.
Everyone’s always predicting that the Catskills are going to make a comeback. They’re beautiful, inexpensive, accessible and… rich in historical interest. ~ New York Times Review
I was fortunate to swing through the Catskills over four days in the early fall and each stop along the winding roads was another revelation. For all of that, finding calm on the Catskills getaway was most welcome.
Getting to your Catskills getaway
- The commute is simplified by train up through the Hudson Valley but you’ll need a car or other means to explore the Catskills.
- Find bus or rideshare tours out of New York City
- Rent a car for your Catskills getaway to take advantage of stops and discoveries.
- Check on weather and that the places on your itinerary. Many are closed in the deepest winter months.
Many thanks to Sullivan County Tourism, Visit Catskills, Travel Hudson Valley TBEX, and New York Tourism for hosting me on this adventure. As usual, all opinions are my own.
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Hi Elaine,
Thank you for the beautiful feature. It was a pleasure having you visit us at YO1 Wellness Center. We hope you come and stay with us soon to dive into our customized programs to achieve your path to wellness.
Thank you for hosting us. It’s a lovely and inspiring place.
Clearly I have an old fashioned Dirty Dancing impression of the Catskills that needs to be updated! Everything about this retreat looks so enticing and I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t come away from even a three day YO1 Wellness getaway feeling like a new person.
You really would enjoy the Catskills, if even for just the beauty. I loved riding through the hills and discovering so much to explore.
Catskills aren’t a usual destination for Midwesterners, but this is very enticing! Pinned.
Or for Left Coasters! I’m glad you find this enticing. I’d love to return.
I’ve always wanted to visit the Catskills in New York. Your narrative is urging me to get there sooner rather than later!! Great post!
Thank you, Marilyn. I so enjoyed my brief roll through the area. Truly a wonderful place to explore.
Interesting post, Elaine. I’ve certainly enjoyed what I’ve seen of the Hudson River Valley and would love to return and experience the world of the Buddha. Looks like a lovely oasis.
Yes, the Hudson Valley is gorgeous and so culturally inviting. There are several Buddhist centers to visit and so much more to see and do.
Luxury and serenity in the Catskills–I’m calmer just after reading your descriptive post. I love the decor of Resort World suite and the fact that you can have a quiet vacation or an action-packed one. The temple at the Chuang Yen Monastery must have been quite a spiritual experience.
Thanks, Pamela. I loved experiencing the Catskills for the first time and these calm spaces especially.
The pool at Resorts World Catskills looks so lovely, I’d love to spend sometime there relaxing, maybe going to a yoga retreat or even for some wine tasting at the wineries. I’ve never heard of Catskills but it’s good to know that you can find the largest Buddha in the West here!
It’s a glorious region naturally and historically. Lots of new energy reviving its popularity too.
whoa, who would have thought that there was a “hidden” Buddhist community in the Catskills! I have not really explore other parts of New York outside of NYC but I would love to see the Chuang Yen Monastery and have a nice calm Catskills getaway!
There are several Buddhist monasteries throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Hope you get up there to see for yourself one day.
What a gorgeous place. I’m curious why did the Catskills needed to make a comeback? There was a time when they lost popularity? Was it just economy of the times or management fails? It all looks so peaceful, I can imagine that the Y01 Wellness Center is quite popular with New Yorkers these days. Will definitely check it out next time I’m in the area.
I thought that quote was odd too but in truth, there was a big trend for New Yorkers to vacation in the Catskills that has been lost. I was excited as a West Coast gal to learn about the area.
Looks like an amazing place to go visit and escape the rat race. Even if it is raining. Though sometimes the rain gives us time to reflect and enjoy ourselves.
I would have preferred to have a clear day (so much better for photos) but loved the rain as well. That sound and cleansing energy is rare in my drought-ridden home state.
We didn’t know that the largest Buddha in the Western world is in Catskills, NY! Also, we’ve never been in a retreat center. I’ve started doing yoga a few months ago and kind of like it. So next time we travel to the US again, we might consider spending some time at the Y01 Wellness Center. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
I hope you get to visit the Catskills and keep up the yoga. So important for those of us monitor monkeys!
I’m from the UK and I’ve never heard of Catskills – the wellness centre looks fabulous though and I love the calm you under the umbrella. It looks like a great place to go and rediscover yourself
Thanks, Fiona. I wish we had more than a few hours at the monastery. Appreciate your kind comment.
The Catskills looks like a tranquil getaway close to New York. I’m sure it’s a wonderful escape away from traffic and noise. The food looks amazing and the accommodation seems comfortable. It’s good to know that prices are affordable too.
No jetlag either when you go from the Manhattan area to the Catskills. So much to explore in the region.
Only when I reached 30’s I have shifted to a different travelling style. I used to frequent party hostels but now I prefer yoga retreats and meditation centers. I’d love to see this soon. It seems a great place for wellness and relaxation.
Interesting how we shift our travel styles through our lifetimes. I started backpacking in the 70’s! Ouch. Still it’s wonderful to travel no matter what style. Now I just need to have a big bank account to do it the way I’d like! ha ha.
Oh so appreciate this place, considering I’m reading this as I’m in Nepal and just visited a Buddhist monastery for meditation. I so appreciate videos embedded in posts to get the whole perspective. West meets East – I had no idea I could find a lovely wellness/buddhist/ayervedic center in the Catskills, let alone a big Buddha like that! Bookmarked for a future New York area stay. (and that food looks divine!)
How wonderful to be exploring Nepal. It’s on my list! The Catskills villages and hospitality keep evolving. I was surprised though to find the Buddhist community so strong in the region. Hope you get to visit as well.
Hi Dorene,
Thank you for such beautiful compliments on YO1 Wellness Center. We are a brand new wellness center here in the serene Catskills, NY that opened on June 21, 2018. We have 4 main pillars of wellness here at YO1: Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga and Acupuncture. We cannot wait to host you and guide you on your unique and personalized wellness journey with us.