Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery

It’s been fifty years or more since the Catskills were so popular a destination, and the hotel scene, correspondingly, is booming. Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery, on the outskirts of Callicoon, New York, has drawn attention for its modern cidery structure, which takes the traditional barn-style silhouette in a modern and extremely sustainable direction. Just down the road, however, in a pair of houses renovated by local hospitality experts Homestedt, is what brings us to Seminary Hill: the Boarding House, a 17-room boutique hotel in a Shaker-inspired contemporary-classic style.

The end result is a lodging that’s perfect for today’s Catskills: rustic and restful without being overtly retro, and certainly not kitschy. At the same time, as photogenic as it may be, it’s a place with thoughtful comforts, made to appeal to more senses than just the visual. The Boarding House name suits the concept; the vibe is low-maintenance and self-sufficient, with kitchenettes in each room and a communal breakfast served in the parlour kitchen. Meanwhile, in the cidery building, there’s a tasting room, as well as a proper restaurant serving lunch and dinner with an expansive view of the landscape.