Romantic Getaway to Lake Joseph, NY

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My husband and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage. We celebrated this past weekend with him surprising me with a weekend getaway to the Catskill Mountains.

I won’t deny that my eyes teared up when he revealed his surprise, and all the research he had done to find our special romantic spot.

We ventured less than two hours from NYC into Forestburgh, in Sullivan County. My husband reserved a beautiful cottage at the Inn at Lake Joseph.

The inn was a private home that was established on 1,000 acres of raw forest land in the latter part of the 19th century. It has evolved and been developed upon quite a bit to include a few lodges and cottages outside the main inn. It also includes a wonderful outdoor pool with nature views and a short hike to the lake. The trails around the property make for romantic walks, but also for more active experiences – such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing for the winter and canoeing and biking during the warmer weather, all included in your stay.

Common area in the main inn.

Our cottage and romantic retreat, The Hemlock.

Also included is complimentary breakfast. Snacks are also available to guests 24 hours a day, as well as amenities in the common rooms in the main inn.

The lake was frozen when we visited, but it was still a pretty view. There isn’t too much to do nearby, though the inn has a list to check out. For us, it was exactly what we wanted.

There are a few restaurants that the inn recommends, but we chose to drive 40 minutes out to Ellenville to dine at Aroma Thyme Bistro, Hudson Valley’s first certified green restaurant. The food is definitely gourmet and delicious, but the feel is laid back, super friendly, and with all the warmth of a neighborhood eatery. It was worth the drive and a very special dining experience. We took a chance by driving so far and it paid off – definitely check it out if in the area.

We spent most of our time in our romantic cottage, enjoying the whirlpool tub and cuddle time in front of the fire-place. We took an afternoon hike along the lake and for a moment felt like it was just us and nature in the whole world.

When we went for breakfast the next day in the main inn, we saw that in fact there were a lot of guests staying there as well, but we would’ve never known.

It was a wonderful way to end the year and celebrate this special anniversary of marriage.

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