We’d been eyeing Piaule Catskill for a while. Friends had recommended it, the reviews were glowing, and the photos of those minimalist cabins nestled into the hillside had been living rent-free in our heads. When we finally found a window for a midweek getaway, we decided to splurge on two nights, Wednesday to Friday, and it was absolutely worth it.

The Cabins

Piaule bills itself as a “landscape hotel,” and once you arrive it’s clear why. The property sits on a west-facing hill overlooking the Catskill Escarpment, with 24 individual cabins scattered along footpaths through the woods. The design draws from Japanese and Scandinavian influences: clean lines, untreated cedar, warm white oak. The whole thing feels like it belongs in the landscape rather than being imposed on it.

Piaule Cabin

The standout feature of each cabin is the massive sliding glass wall facing west, essentially a 10-by-13-foot window that opens up completely. We had light rain on and off during our stay, and honestly it only made the cabin experience better. Lying in bed listening to the rain tap against the cedar while looking out at the misty mountains was the kind of reset we needed.

The Spa

A short walk downhill from the cabins takes you to the spa, tucked beneath a green roof and almost hidden in the hillside. The facilities are laid out as a progressive circuit: hot pool, mineral plunge, cedar sauna, and a bluestone steam room. We used it multiple times during our stay, and for the most part we were the only ones there. Midweek perks.

Piaule Spa

The main jet pool has an uninterrupted view out toward the escarpment. We spent one afternoon just sitting there watching rain clouds drift across the valley, slowly dissolving and reforming over the ridgeline. One of those moments where you stop thinking about everything else. The spa is only open to overnight guests, which keeps it peaceful and unhurried.

Dinner at Piaule

Our first evening, we had dinner at the on-site restaurant. The dining room is oak and glass, with the entire western wall open to the view. We worked through a three-course prix fixe menu by Chef Ryan Tate, who previously earned a Michelin star at Le Restaurant in Tribeca. The menu changes with the seasons and leans heavily on local farms. Everything we had was thoughtfully prepared, inventive without being fussy.

View from Piaule

What made it feel truly special was the intimacy. There were only one other couple dining with us that night, which gave the whole experience a sense of calm and exclusivity. It almost felt like we had the hotel to ourselves.

Lil’ Deb’s Oasis

The second night we drove down to Hudson for a completely different vibe. Lil’ Deb’s Oasis is a James Beard-nominated spot on Columbia Street that describes its food as “tropical comfort food,” blending South Asian and Latin American flavors with local Hudson Valley ingredients. The place is vibrant in every sense: coral and turquoise exterior, neon signage, and a buzzing energy that couldn’t be more different from where we’d just come from.

We can wholeheartedly recommend the whole fried fish, crispy and flaky with a bright citrusy sauce, paired with the Plato Tropical: beans, herbed rice, and garlicky greens. Really, everything we tried was great. After two days of quiet contemplation, the lively restaurant was a welcome jolt of energy and a nice reminder of how much the Hudson Valley has to offer.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a genuinely restorative getaway, Piaule is hard to beat. Go midweek if you can. The quiet makes a huge difference, and a little rain doesn’t hurt either. And leave one evening for dinner in Hudson. The shift from Piaule’s stillness to the lively dining scene there makes the whole trip feel that much richer.