Fall in the northeast is pretty fantastic: the colorful leaves, the apple orchards, the crisp air. To make the most of the season, we recently checked in at one of New York’s most famous historic family-friendly resorts, Mohonk Mountain House.
Tucked away on Lake Mohonk, near the picturesque Catskill Mountains above the town of New Paltz (90 miles from NYC), Mohonk is family-owned and operated. Modeled after a Victorian castle on over 300 acres of land, it includes gorgeous gardens and tons of offerings for the little ones.
THE GOOD
The staff genuinely loves kids. We traveled with our 3 and 1-year-olds and everywhere we went at the resort, the staff stopped to say hello and chat with our (sometimes tantrum-ing!) kids. And it didn’t seem phony or out of employment obligation, but like they really wanted to make us feel comfortable and at home. Our requested Pack & Play arrived to our room promptly and was equipped with organic bedding, an adorable mini-duvet, and a stuffed animal eagle for our daughter to keep. If you want a mini-fridge in your room, make sure to request one prior to arrival – they aren’t standard in all rooms.
The Kids’ Club was legit. The Mohonk Kids’ Club was great (and included at no extra cost). The kids are separated by age and programs mostly run from 9:30am-12:30pm and from 2-5pm each day (there’s an evening program for older kids from 7-8:30pm each night). For the little ones there was a room full of bright, fun toys, an outdoor playground, pony rides, and boat trips. During the summer months, there’s a Junior Naturalist program with fossil hunts, animal tracking, and hands-on experiences. After dropping our kids off, we did a couple of surprise drop-ins as well as spied on their nature walks and saw wonderful, warm interactions amongst the staff and children, very reassuring. Great option if you want a morning to yourself.
The children’s garden was awesome. Launched in 2012, the garden had all kinds of neat finds for little ones, like a hummingbird/butterfly forest, tasty greens they were encouraged to pick and sample, fuzzy plants for petting, a living teepee, a popcorn plant, an underground “talkee tube,” and a sod sofa. Best of all, there was no one else there when we visited! It’s a bit off the beaten path near the greenhouse (which closes daily at 3:30pm), so plan accordingly.
The spa is a great parent’s escape, mainly because if you book a treatment you get free access to all of the spa facilities both before and after your appointment for the entire day. These include the steam room, sauna, solarium lounge, and outdoor mineral pool. Kids are not allowed in any of these areas, hence they are quiet and super relaxing. Do yourself a favor and use them and make a day of it. Our spa treatment (Swedish massage) was excellent, but so were the lush facilities and a few hours of uninterrupted peace.
Meals have endless kid’s choices. Yes, they are all (mostly) massive buffets, but the food wasn’t typical buffet fare and there was always something for everyone in our group. Aside from the standard kid-friendly items (chicken fingers, mac & cheese, fries, etc.), our kids loved the seasonal soups, creative grain salads, and plethora of fresh and dried fruit. Your kids will not be stuck eating the same thing for your entire stay, the menu changed daily and used a lot of seasonal produce. There is also a more formal dining room that provided a respite from the hectic (and sometimes loud) buffet meals. We ordered off a regular menu there and were also not disappointed.
THE BAD
Sub par dining room service on some occasions. Mohonk is an all-inclusive resort, and tips are not accepted. Does this influence the wait staff a bit? Probably. For the most part, we found service to be great, with the exception of dinner. The waiters were rushed and sometimes took a while to return with a specific request or drink (tough when your 1-year-old is having a fit because her sippy cup ran dry!)
Your stay is very weather dependent. Like every vacation, the success of your trip depends a lot on the weather. Nowhere more so than at Mohonk. Most of the outdoor activities (hiking, biking, golf, boating/swimming in the lake, rock climbing, and tennis) don’t fly if it’s too cold or rainy. Indoor activities for the kids are limited (aside from the indoor pool) and guest rooms don’t come with televisions so be prepared with your iPad (Wi-Fi is free).
NOW, ABOUT THE ROOMS…
Room styles at Mohonk vary widely, from Victorian style (these come with working fireplaces, probably not the best choice for little kids or toddlers unless you plan on forgoing a fire), to private cottages, to different suites, to classic guest rooms. We stayed in a classic guest room with a queen and a twin bed. It was spacious, bright, and had its own private (kid-safe) balcony with two rocking chairs.
However, when we go back we'll book a junior suite, which seems perfect for families. These suites have a (connected) separate sleeping area/sitting room ideal for putting a younger child to bed early in. It could also serve as a smart spot for older kids to snooze in with its pull-out sofa bed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Mohonk Mountain House was a quick, family-friendly, fun autumn weekend getaway for us. We’d definitely go back. Our kids traipsed through the gardens, “helped” row across the mountain lake, hiked, and checked out a roaring campfire, complete with (provided) s’mores.
A long weekend is probably enough to glean the true experience of the resort and get a chance to truly unplug and enjoy. Mohonk is running fall specials where kids stay and eat free from November 7-10. A similar deal is offered for early January as well. Room and board generally starts around $400 per person/per night.
Photos: The Mohonk Mountain House/Facebook
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