Luxury cabins at Upstate NY lodge named among best new hotels of 2024

Hunter, N.Y. — The Rounds in Upstate New York are not your average cabin in the woods.

Tucked on quiet, woodsy acres in the shadow of Hunter Mountain, the yurt-inspired structures provide a retreat into nature. But unlike classic cabins, The Rounds at Scribner’s offer all the trappings of a boutique hotel — including wet bars, king-sized beds, skylights, Japanese soaking tubs and an ammenity-packed lodge.

And that perfect pairing of rusticity and luxury in the Catskills has earned the cabins a spot on a prestigious “It List”.

The Rounds at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge have been named one of the best new hotels of 2024 by Travel + Leisure. The 11 stand-alone cabins up the hill from the former motor lodge made the list of the world’s 100 best new hotels alongside the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel, a former convent built into a cliff on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and Dawn Ranch, a luxury glamping retreat in the shade of redwoods in Sonoma County, California.

Upstate inns tend to snag at least one spot on Travel + Leisure’s yearly It List. Last year, Wildflower Farms — a Hudson Valley retreat made up of 65 freestanding cabins and cottages on a working farm — was named one of the magazine’s top new hotels of 2023.

Scribner’s opened in the late 1960s in Hunter, a small town in Greene County. The lodge is just 1 mile from Hunter Mountain, a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding.

The resort opened in its current form — Scribner’s Catskill Lodge — in 2016. Its rooms come with mountain views, modern rustic decor and impressive features ranging from walk-in rain showers with terra cotta tiles and soaring ceilings to floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, according to Scribner’s website.

Scribner’s also runs Prospect, an on-site restaurant and bar. In addition, the lodge boasts a pool; a whiskey lounge; a sauna; an ice skating rink; a stocked library attached to a deck; and more.

The library and its floor-to-ceiling shelves caught the attention of Andriana Todorovic, who recently stayed at Scribner’s for a group event. She lives in New York City and runs @meetusatthebookery, an Instagram account dedicated to books, cafes and the “bookish lifestyle”.

“I absolutely loved the ambiance and decor of the lodge. It is obvious that everything has a had a lot of thought put into it,” Todorovic said. “It allows guests to truly relax and enjoy what Upstate has to offer.”

While part of the Scribner’s family, The Rounds are separate from the Lodge and each other. The cabins opened this fall, to the delight of travel writers, influencers and vacationers in search of a luxurious, peaceful stay.

The 12-sided cabins come with wood stoves and 360-degree sofas. The structures are outfitted with reading nooks, outdoor showers and vaulted ceilings topped with a window for nightly stargazing.

“Picture the Muji Hotel Ginza, crossed with the chicest Airbnb A-frame you’ve ever seen in Joshua Tree, California, and you’ll have a feel for the cabins at the Rounds,” Travel + Leisure wrote in its roundup.

Guests of The Lodge also have access to Apex Lounge, a communal spot that offers “curated drinks and snack options”, a fireplace to warm up by and an outdoor deck perfect for low-key after-dark adventures.

“Once the sun sets, and the fire in the Lodge’s midcentury modern chiminea gets going, there’s no better place to be, s’mores in hand,” Travel + Leisure wrote.

The Rounds also happens to be dog friendly: Michelle Tang recently brought her fluffy pup Koda to the resort and documented the relaxing stay on her Instagram, @house.of.koda.

Scribner’s Catskill Lodge is housed at 13 Scribner Hollow Road in Hunter. The lodge and The Rounds both offer ADA-friendly stays.

Rooms in the Lodge start at $180 per night. Rounds start at $445. To learn more or book a room, visit Scribner’s website.

The Rounds at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge was the only Upstate New York-based hotel to make Travel + Leisure’s list of the top 100 new hotels of 2024. Two other hotels in the Empire State made the ranking: The Fifth Avenue Hotel and the Warren Street Hotel, both in New York City.

During Todorovic’s stay, Scribner’s welcomed a range of guests. She said the lodge accommodated her group of about 40 people along with couples enjoying a break from the Big Apple and solo guests who appeared to be working on projects.

“It really is one of those locations where you can come in for anything and they ensure that you’re well taken care of,” Todorovic said.

Todorovic said she enjoyed an “incredible” wine tasting with Scribner’s resident sommelier and appreciated the helpful staff.

She had such a great time that she plans to head back to the Catskills retreat in June. And during her second stay, Todorovic is excited to see what the lauded Rounds have to offer.