Scribner’s Catskill Lodge Makes For A Blissful Dog Retreat

Times are good for the growing number of pet loving travelers out there who are enjoying ever greater and smoother accommodations for their furry companions. Less than three hours from NYC, and a short drive from Woodstock, Scribner's Catskill Lodge takes the pup good times next level.

Scribner's has your furry pal set up from the get go with their Pupstater program of stuffed toys, snacks, a furry bed, and a branded bandanna: Green signifies that your Fido is “ready to mingle,” red indicates that Rover prefers to “chill on their own.” With a robust canine guest population at times, be prepared in the cozy library just off the lobby for plenty of pas de deux sniffing encounters.

In contrast to Scribner’s modish black exterior, the library is cast in blond wood with leather and wood seating and plenty of plush spots to curl up with complimentary coffee around a central fireplace. It’s packed with novels and art, history and travel books. Those not playing board games at the long wooden table might be shooting pool—humans typically, not dogs.

A step down from the library, the adjoining lobby and reception with its red brick flooring was once the drive-up to the property from its days as a motor lodge. Those roots are reflected in your room’s old fashioned metal key on a plastic motel-type keychain. The do not disturb sign sports the phrase Don't Poke the Bear in a nod to your natural surroundings.

A member of Marriott Design Hotels, the 38-room lodge features fireplaces, dark wood floors and plenty of banquettes cum day-bed nooks. The bathroom, which does away with single use toiletries, is covered in terracotta tiles.

Located up the hill, 11 yurt-like dodecahedron-shaped lodgings called The Rounds were recently added, with sunken living rooms and circular sofas, each under an oculus for sky viewing. When not used for events, the communal Apex space is open for quiet reading. You can drive up there, but your dog will enjoy the ten-minute switchback trail; just be sure to heed the bear caution signs.

The alpinesque Prospect restaurant takes its name from yet another earlier property that stood here in the area’s original late-19th-century resort days when railroads delivered folks and cottage communities like the nearby Twilight Park sprang up.

A Prospect spring salad starter of kale, arugula, baby red oak lettuce, prosciutto, blackberry, plums, red wine pears, gorgonzola, candied pepitas and peach yuzu dressing is as hearty as that broad list of ingredients sounds. Then main selections like market fish will call you, which might be striped bass in beurre blanc, asparagus, toasted almonds, trout roe and black tobiko caviar.

A short stroll from the property entrance and into the aroma-rich Scribner’s Garden makes for another great dog walk through its gravel grounds. A handy field guide explains what herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers are growing in raised beds to be used in the restaurant.

Out front, a wildflower meadow draws butterflies and birdlife. Your dog will need to stay behind, however, when you hit the pool or the barrel sauna; likewise, in winter at the property’s Bluestone Patio that gets turned into a skating rink using a polymer surface.

Each time you come and go through the lobby, something might grab you from the cabinet of a shop that holds books, puzzles, souvenirs and food and drink goodies. Local makers also share their creative wares at lobby popups, recently including Baby le Bébé botanical skincare products, Earth Oracle herbal tinctures based on Balkan remedies and That Dang Shop of vintage clothing and accessories.

At some 2,000 feet, the Greene County property lies in the legendary haunts of Rip Van Winkle and has a direct view of Hunter Mountain ski slopes in front of it. A few minute’s drive into Hunter hamlet, the Fellow Mountain Café in an old house is a popular breakfast spot run by Scribner’s ownership. There’s a local pub too, while a brewery lies in the opposite direction toward Tannersville.

The nearby Mountain Top Arboretum is 200 acres of native plants and trees where dogs are permitted on some meadows and along some trails. The hike-able Kaaterskill Falls are a slice of Americana as depicted by Hudson River School painters such as Asher B. Durand whose work Kindred Spirits hangs in Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. All of which means there’s not just plenty to do and see onsite with your hound, but off as well.

Of late, Scribner’s has organized Pupstater Weekends with local partners, such as the Greene County Animal Alliance, and with proceeds going to the Social Tees Animal Rescue. There are dog training and grooming sessions, as well as dog product pop ups. An agility course and a Yappy Hour are among the fun events, with a doggy selfie photo booth to remember it all.

When you check out of Scribner’s Catskills Lodge and make the steep, windy descent along Route 23A down to Palenville and on to the big cities beyond, your pup will enjoy that last roller coaster of a ride. And you’ll likely be making plans for a return experience in another season.

The Pupstater Program is $100 per dog, per stay, with a maximum of two dogs.