Sneak Peek: The Ranch Hudson Valley, New York's New Wellness Retreat

Luxury Travel Advisor last week received a sneak peek of The Ranch Hudson Valley, the first East Coast location for the wellness retreat brand, ahead of its opening on April 15. Located, as the name implies, in the lower Hudson Valley, about an hour by car north of New York City, the property is set amid 200 forested acres and will offer three- and four-night wellness programs.

As part of the strict programs, guests will partake in morning hikes, communal and organic, plant-based meals, strength training classes, restorative yoga, deep tissue massages and more.

The property, which was formerly a summer home for the JP Morgan family, has just 25 rooms and a capacity of 25 guests per program. Rooms are available across three categories: Deluxe Guestrooms, Junior Suites and Premier Suites. Pretty cool: Each of the rooms is named after the pets of employees. These included Nala, Bruno, Keswick and Stella. We found that to be a fun touch. Whichever category you opt for (with the only major difference between them being square footage), request a room that faces the lake. Select rooms also have separate bathtubs, while others have a walk-in shower; some offer both.

The Ranch Hudson Valley exterior
The Ranch Hudson Valley rolling out the red carpet for guests. (Photo by Matt Turner)

While rooms have similar design aesthetics, nearly all rooms have a unique layout because of the assortment of room shapes, given the property’s age. Some rooms may have more or less space than others in their own category. Most rooms have one bed but there are a select number of rooms that offer two queen beds. Rooms 105 and 106, located on a mezzanine level, are the only two rooms that connect and they are the only two on their own floor. These can be booked individually or combined.

Additionally, rooms do not have TVs but they do offer desks, and Wi-Fi is available for guests who need (or want) to remain connected during their stay.

Rooms 1 (Hamilton) and 206 (Morgan) are the two Premier Suites. We liked that Room 206 had windows on three sides, affording some of the best views of the surrounding property. If you want to truly feel like you are in the historic JP Morgan home, book Room 1; it is the only room on property that has retained its original wood paneling and is, therefore, the only uniquely designed room.

Currently, guests can enjoy either a three-night program that runs Monday to Thursday or a four-night program from Thursday to Monday. Both programs offer up to six hours of low-impact exercise daily, similar to the program in Malibu. Guests can start their day with a two- or four-hour hike, depending on their preference. All guests participate in the hike together but are welcome to go at their own pace. Guides will lead and trail the group to make sure everyone is accommodated. Additionally, each guest will receive a walkie-talkie to communicate with a guide if they need anything. Afternoon activities include naptime, strength training, restorative yoga and a daily massage. Everything listed here, including accommodations, laundry services and airport transfers, are available with the rate for the program.

The Ranch Hudson Valley private dining room
The Ranch Hudson Valley's private dining room, one of the few add-on features. (Photo by Matt Turner)

To further enhance their stay, guests can enjoy restorative amenities such as an infrared sauna and a hot and cold contrast plunge or add-on services like colon hydrotherapy, IV therapy and energy healing.

As in Malibu, the food menu will consist of nutrient-dense, plant-based meals focused on detoxification and revitalization, with ingredients sourced from local, organic farms. Note that meals will be enjoyed together at a long table with views of the lake. This is intended to help guests foster deeper connections among guests and enhance the experience. While the chefs can accommodate for allergies and dietary restrictions, there is no meat or alcohol available to guests.

Located in the lower Hudson Valley, along the border of Tuxedo Park, The Ranch Hudson Valley is surrounded by the 4,000-acre Ringwood State Park, giving guests access to hundreds of miles of trails steps from their room, while the nearby 40,000-acre Harriman State Park offers a spectacular alternative for morning hiking. Guests will board a shuttle bus, which will take them to a given trailhead. Other than these experiences, there is no need for guests to leave the property.

The Ranch Hudson Valley stairwell architecture
The architecture of a staircase at The Ranch Hudson Valley. (Photo by Matt Turner)

Beyond the guestrooms, inside the main building, guests will be able to make use of a gym, a great room (complete with a fireplace, large windows and lake views—the perfect place to relax with a book, we thought) and an adjacent game room, which houses boardgames guests can avail themselves of. While not yet complete during our visit, there will also be a spa and a 5,000-square-foot Solarium, adjacent to the estate and overlooking the grounds, with year-round exercise and pool facilities. An outdoor pool and onsite lake for water activities in the warmer months will be incorporated into the fitness programming.

Travel advisors may contact Chris Reed, vice president of global sales for The Ranch, via chrisr@theranchlife.com. 

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