The Rivertown Lodge in Hudson, New York exudes a certain calmness with an eye for aesthetics and intentional design. When I stepped inside, I was reminded of a Japanese guest house mixed with Danish design and American modern tastes. The mix of lines, colors and textures is lovely. And, there is a grounded sense of peace and place that exists for a reason.
Furniture and fixtures are custom-made by woodworkers and craftsmen in the Mid-Hudson Valley and New York City. Each element is a perfect match for the others. From the communal kitchen with its warm yellow cabinets at the end of the reception area, to the sitting spaces for guests to linger, and the 27 guest rooms, there is a sense that every detail is exact and in place.
The hardwood floors throughout the space compliment the handcrafted cherry wood reception desk and provide continuity throughout the main part of the hotel.
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Large windows that overlook Warren Street, Hudson’s main street awash with boutique stores and eateries, let in light and add to the feeling of openness. Richly toned wood partitions create separate areas without taking away the airiness. At each end of the living room space, wood stoves provide warmth and coziness when temperatures drop.
Although there austerity is part of the sensibility here, stuffiness is not. Shelves filled with books invite one to settle into a custom-made chair of seats covered with gorgeous fabrics to read.
photo courtesy of Rivertown Lodge
Guest rooms are as carefully appointed as well with custom-made furniture and fixtures that fit each room’s layout whether a single double bed room to a suite that include a daybed and an antique desk.
Luxury is upped with organic mattresses, Frette linens and Faribault & Utility Canvas blankets. Bath amenities were specifically formulated for Rivertown Lodge by 2Note, a Hudson company that specializes in perfumes and bath and body products. A 39-inch flat screen TV, a Marshall blue tooth speaker and free Wifi add in the technology ingredients.
Other Rivertown Lodge offerings include a pantry of locally sourced products and Papillionaire bikes that guests can borrow to explore the town.
When I visited, the onsite restaurant Tavern was not open. Tavern, open Friday through Tuesday in the evenings, and also for breakfast and brunch on the weekends, offers cuisine inspired by North Africa and Morocco. More traditionally American fare is also available.
While my visit was in January when the hotel’s wood stoves were going, the summer in Hudson is fabulous. The Rivertown Lodge has outdoor spaces from which to enjoy warmer months.
One of my most favorite parts about this hotel is that it was a movie theater from 1928-1958, then the Warren Hotel for 40 years until it was transformed into its current state. The theater’s marquee is still a building focal point.
Hudson’s story, of which the Rivertown Lodge is a part, is one of a booming river town that started to go bust. The arts, cuisine and cool places to stay like this hotel are part of what has brought about Hudson’s revival.
Local products including 2Note bath amenities created for Rivertown Lodge
With the Amtrak station just a mile away from the the hotel, Rivertown Lodge is a perfect place to travel to outside New York City (just a 2 hour train ride) without needing a car. The rest of Hudson is highly walkable.
Room costs range from $219 to $450. As a note, there is a two night minimum stay on weekends from May 1 to Dec. 31st but single night rooms are released a week prior if available. For a discount, consider staying three nights anytime from Sunday through Thursday for the Midweek Special. You’ll pay for two nights and get the third night free.
Hudson is a perfect location for exploring the Mid-Hudson Valley. It’s simply gorgeous here.
Post and photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein
