Mohonk Mountain House: A Perfect Solo Getaway

Sheryl Kraft, contributing health and spa writer, visits Mohonk Mountain House as a solo traveler and finds comfort and serenity.

When I travel solo, I prefer small, intimate places to larger ones. Maybe it’s because I’m the type who gets easily overwhelmed in an unfamiliar and large setting, not to mention lost (I am exceptionally directionally challenged). I feel safer, calmer, and more at home in smaller ones. 

And yet, when the opportunity to spend a solo weekend at the historic Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York, presented itself, I welcomed it.

I can’t recall when I first heard of Mohonk Mountain House, but since it’s been around (and is an easy drive from where I live) way longer than I have, I suspect it’s always been on my radar in one way or another. I’d heard about people’s visits and how they loved the food, scenery, and serenity. 

No one would describe this impressive national historic landmark as “small” or “quaint.” Instead,  this 155-year-old sprawling and stunning property, just 90 miles from New York City,  is set in a forest spanning over 40,000 protected acres with 85 miles of hiking trails. 

Now, it was my turn to experience Mohonk. But admittedly, as I turned left at its mile-long entrance, I was apprehensive about visiting it as a solo traveler.

The Rich History of Mohonk Mountain Resort

Enter the hotel, and you’re instantly transported back to a time still very much intact within its walls: Victorian décor and furnishings are tastefully and thoughtfully placed throughout. Lush carpets line the wide hallways and staircases, wooden paneling and beams adorn the walls and ceilings, and every single employee exudes warmth and friendliness. 

A walk through its expansive hallways is like strolling through a museum lined with centuries-old black and white photographs and assorted memorabilia explaining Mohonk’s striking staying power.

The unique property, which has grown exponentially since it was first built, frames the stunning Shawangunk Mountains and remains in the Smiley family’s (5th generation) stewardship to this day.  

Had I been a guest of the resort in 1869 when it first opened, I would have stayed in a small inn of just ten rooms amid 300 acres, enjoying horseback riding, carriage rides, and hikes, with plenty of time to take in the stunning vistas while sipping my tea and munching on freshly-baked cookies on the porch overlooking the lake. 

Perhaps during my visit, I would have bumped into the twin brother founders, Albert and Alfred Smiley. (If so, I would have told them how beautiful their property was and how much I enjoyed my respite.) 

Five U.S. Presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Clinton, have visited Mohonk. It was the site of the prelude to the Hague peace conferences of 1899 and 1907 and landmark conferences in the 1880s and 1890s that sought solutions to the plight of American Indians and African Americans. Its commitment and human environmental solidarity earned Mohonk a U.N. Environment Programme Award in 1994. 

Spacious, Yet Cozy

Despite its vast and deeply entrenched history, reputation, and commitment to sustainability and the environment, Mohonk’s 259 guest rooms and views spanning five different states, my stay at Mohonk Mountain House, named National Landmark in 1986, felt curiously intimate and cozy. I strongly suspect it felt that way for all the guests, who included multi-generation families, couples, families with toddlers and teenagers, and solo travelers like myself.

I felt comfortable amidst the crowd, never self-conscious or lonely. Every possible combination of humanity was enjoying their time in synchrony and satisfaction. A clue to the coziness? Feeling cared for without feeling crowded, cushioned by the comfortable atmosphere of timelessness and consistency. 

To my delight, the layout made it impossible to get lost: long hallways well-marked with each corridor leading to where you want to go, be it the dining room, myriad of libraries and sitting rooms, covered porches, various activity rooms, and alas, always my favorite place – the spa. (If I couldn’t find my way, I noticed employees abound, all eager to lend a hand if asked.) 

Wellness at Mohonk: Finding Inner Peace

Since my specialty is spa travel, I’m eager to share the highlights of my Wellness Weekend. Side note: Whenever I travel to a spa, I’m always keen to come away with a new experience, fortunate enough to find something I’ve never before tried. During my time at Mohonk, I checked off many boxes.

Spoiler alert: Although I didn’t take the plunge, I did bathe in the forest (more on that in a bit).

Serene Sounds Poolside

After so many years of failed attempts, I finally found a way to achieve that deep and pure meditative state – that magical place between sleep and consciousness. 

All it took was floating in a pool on a comfy blowup bed, surrounded by the harmonious, hypnotic symphony created by three different people gently striking a variety of singing bowls, plus one gorgeous voice accompanying them. The result was nothing short of brilliant and transformative.

Tai Chi: Go with the Flow

This gentle, low-impact form of exercise (a sort of meditation in motion) always escaped my understanding. That is until I took a class led by Bryon, a true master. As I followed his instructions, moving my body slowly and deliberately, my breaths slowed, and I relaxed into the rhythmic flow.

I vowed to bring TaiChi’s principles (that opposing elements that make up the universe must be kept in harmony) back into my everyday reality. 

Forest Bathing: Mindfulness in Nature

I love to walk but usually do so with power and speed. Forest bathing is walking but in a totally different way. Led by Nina Smiley, PhD., the director of mindfulness programming and a founding family member, we slowly and mindfully walked through wooded trails, stopping for brief meditations and engaging all our senses. 

At one stop, we stood alongside the wall of a cliff, focusing our eyes on a spot we chose. To my delight, the tiny leaf I was gazing at was the lucky recipient of droplets of rain that had gathered on the moss above, each drop causing the leaf to dance energetically each time the water made contact with its surface. Would I ever have noticed that on my ‘regular’ walks? Doubtful.

Lakeside Immersion: Cold Therapy

 

A quick dip in Lake Mohonk promised to yield the benefits of cold therapy, releasing endorphins and stimulating blood flow, providing joint and muscle pain relief. I needed them all, so I bravely donned my bathing suit and decided to take the plunge along with 37 other brave souls. 

How bad could 42-degree water be for just five minutes? Full disclosure: My body didn’t make it all the way in, despite a very kind soul gently grabbing my hand and offering moral support. But almost everyone else took a five-minute dip, and the yelps of excitement were proof that they made it through alive. 

Afterward, we all dried off and gathered inside, with a roaring fireplace speeding our recovery. We sipped warm teas and cider, then stretched out with gentle yoga. The experience was a true “ice-breaker,” with everyone exchanging stories of how they managed to push their bodies beyond their normal limits.

The Signature Mohonk Red Massage

What spa visit would be complete without some type of spa service? Mohonk offers so many that choosing between facials, herbal body wraps, and dozens of others was tough.

I opted for the Signature Mohonk Red Massage and was treated by Ron to the most wonderful hour of a combination of Swedish massage, traditional Thai stretches, towels warmed with “Mohonk Red,” inspired by the witch hazel grown on the property—ending with a mindful moment to revive my senses (which were appreciative and mushy-in -a-good-way by the end). 

Yoga, Yoga, Yoga

Lots of wonderful yoga classes were offered throughout the weekend, all led by expert instructors who accomplished what they set out to do: To transform the stiff and stressed into the tranquil and thankful. 

Dining at the Mountain House

I’m a rather picky eater. And I don’t like buffets. How would I fare with breakfast and lunch set up buffet-style (dinners were sit-down)? 

Quite nicely. The kitchen set up enough stations in the sprawling dining room, complete with cathedral ceilings and original woodwork from 1893, so there was never a line. The food was visible and always brimming with freshness. 

There were so many choices that the pickiest eater would have no excuse for finding something they loved. Almost everything is made fresh on the premises, including the creamy, delicious butter I spread on the perfectly crusted bread. 

Just a few of the myriad selections: Made-to-order omelets, a smoked salmon station, meats, cheeses, salads, soups, make-your-own-sandwiches, poke bowl, carving, and pasta stations. I dare you to go hungry or not say the food was fantastic.

A Solo Traveler’s Haven: My Experience at Mohonk Mountain House

My solo trip to Mohonk Mountain House was a delightful experience. The warm and welcoming staff made me feel safe, comfortable, and never truly alone. While I enjoy my own company, I also appreciate the opportunity to socialize with others whenever I feel like it.

Despite its grandeur, the resort’s indoor spaces felt cozy and intimate. The extensive range of wellness activities allowed me to connect with fellow guests and fully immerse myself in the resort’s stunning natural surroundings.

It’s no wonder that Mohonk Mountain House has received numerous accolades, including being voted the #1 resort in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic by Condé Nast Traveler. The spa also ranked #5 in the U.S. by USA Today.

Whether traveling solo, with friends, or with family, Mohonk Mountain House is an ideal mid-week or weekend getaway for relaxation and rejuvenation. Although I captured some of the beauty of Mohonk in autumn, I can’t wait to return to experience the property in the spring.

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Disclosure: The author was a guest of Mohonk Mountain House but any opinions expressed are her own.

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IF YOU GO

Mohonk Mountain House is about 90 miles north of New York City.

Mostly inclusive overnight rates include accommodations, three meals, afternoon tea and cookies, and most resort activities. 

 

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