T+L Hotel Review of Cedar Lake Estate New York Hudson Valley

Between 7 and 8, my emotional muscle memories kicked in. I was listening to the crackle, snap, and pop as a campfire. The summer camp days were a distant memory that only existed in the stories that started with “remember” but, in that moment, I felt the comforting nostalgia. I found myself in an era and place where a free-flowing discussion around glowing embers had become a familiar experience.

The night before, my husband and I arrived at Cedar Lakes Estate in the Hudson Valley. It is a 500-acre retreat surrounded by woods. In less than two hours, we went from New York City to a forest of tall trees. We approached the property and the road diverted into a path with twinkling lights. There were also cozy cottages and a tranquil, calm lake. Imagine a beautiful summer camp. Imagine it attended culinary school and got a masters degree. The property and cottages are also included. [on the grounds] were polished up just enough to be luxurious and elegant, without losThe following are some examples of how to useg their nostalgic spirit,” said Lisa Karvellas, who owns the property—named the best hotel in New York state in Travel + Leisure‘s 2024 World’s Best Awards—with her sister, Stephanie.

Cedar Lakes Estate Summer camp is in its DNA. The property was used as a youth summer camp and, later, as the Team USA Sports Camp. It hosted Olympic athletes in this camp for almost 15 years. It’s a popular wedding venue for spring, summer and fall. Celebrities like Zosia Mmet and Josh Radnor have also tied the knot at Cedar Lakes Estate. Cedar Lakes Estate also opens its doors as a hotel during the winter, from December to April. Lisa said, “We realized that our guests could only experience Cedar Lakes Estate when they were invited to a wedding.” We wanted everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful property, cottages and culinary program. Lucky me.

She continues, “We hope that guests feel a strong sense comfort, warmth and belonging when they leave.” We hope that they will feel at home and know they can return to be treated as family. We hope that when they return they will feel that nostalgic feeling that comes from a cherished memory.

As we drove home on our last morning, I couldn’t resist scrolling through the photos from our weekend at Cedar Lakes Estate. The next time I was on my commute to and from work, or when it got cold, I would do the exact same thing. Each time, I felt a pull to return to camp—this time the kind that serves cocktails in a clear igloo atop a mountain.

The Rooms

Cedar Lakes Estate’s cluster of cabins and cottages—36 total—has summer camp written all over it, but step inside and you’ll be reminded you’re a grown-up with grown-up tastes. The wood-burning fire, the spacious bathroom with Italian Marble, and the plush bed in my Poolside Cottage were all I needed after a long day of cold weather. Accommodations include the two-person Sleepy Pine Cottages and the four-bedroom Farmhouse Main House, which has floor-to ceiling windows looking out over the misty Lake. The Field House comes with lofted beds, a separate room and a queen-sized bed. Bluebird Cottage features a soaking tub by the fire and heated stone flooring.

Activities and Amenities

I was decades removed from any summer-camp stint, but that same eager, first-day feeling set in as we checked in—though “orientation” here was decidedly adult, commencing with a welcome glass of prosecco and a rundown of the grounds from a staffer with the enthusiastic energy of a camp counselor.

The rest of our stay here felt equal parts sentimental and sophisticated—pie-making sessions came with hard cider tastings; a spirited host recited dad jokes alongside chocolate and whiskey pairings; and movie nights in the barn were fueled by vintage candy and cocktails. It’s a camping trip, after all. So, we went outside, despite the chilly temperatures. Snowshoeing and sledding are among the activities available. Others include ice skating, curling or snowmobiling. We went on a guided walk through the woods and learned how to make a fire with only flint, steel and a flint. Though it was only a 30-minute jaunt through the frost-covered leaves, it felt good to be in nature, searching for the ideal rock, waiting with childlike wonder as we took turns striking it against the steel, and cheering upon seeing the first spark—pure, uncomplicated fun.

The days were like a long playdate when we weren’t outdoors. We explored every inch of this utopia as if we were kids, playing old-school Nintendo games and filling up on complimentary ‘90s-themed snacks in the Treehouse Lounge, and sitting by the communal outdoor firepits long enough for the smell of smoke to linger in our hair. We struck up a chat with a couple in the Treehouse Lounge over a game Scrabble. They told us that this was their third visit. Cedar Lakes Estate was a refuge for them during COVID-19 in 2021. They decided that a winter visit to the estate would be an annual event.

This, too, was temporary, just as camp. We knew we would have to go home eventually and resume our adult lives. For now, we would be climbing (OK, in a golf cart) to the top of a mountain where we’d find a fairytale igloo with blankets and fresh vegetables, as well as a platter full of dips and cocktails. We watched the sun set below the mountains while enjoying the igloo. My husband adjusted the music on the iPad before he rushed to the bar cart and looked at the selection of gins, olives and other ingredients to create his perfect martini. The staff had also prepared a build-your-own hot chocolate kit, complete with a blowtorch for toasting the pillowy marshmallows—proof the Karvellas sisters have thought of everything.

Outdoor yoga sessions, polar plunges in the lake, guided tours to learn about the local wildlife, and a St. Moritz-inspired après bash with caviar bumps and DJs have all been on the itinerary in the past, though winter activities do rotate to keep things fresh.

Food and Drink

Here, meals are special too. This is where the property’s main persona as a wedding venue really shines: Candlelit dinners in the Pavilion—rustic yet romantic with an oversized fireplace as its centerpiece—feel choreographed, in that tables are served course after course at roughly the same time. The menu leans local and changes with the seasons—my winter visit brought a velvety potato and leek soup with smoked trout and crème fraîche; braised beef short rib tucked alongside mascarpone polenta and baby carrots; and a dark chocolate brownie sundae drizzled with bourbon caramel and candied pecans. Even the DJ spun tunes to encourage guests to dance.

I still loved the private dinner that was held in the clear dome heated igloo at the lakeside deck under twinkling light. While looking out over the snow-globe landscape, my husband and myself ate five courses of comfort food. The menu included roasted rainbow potatoes with toasted festa; smoked ravioli with truffle and oyster mushrooms; and pan-seared fish with crispy potatoes.

Mornings are equally indulgent, with a to-die-for cinnamon bun or a basket of warm pastries and coffee delivered to your door, though lighter options—eggs, yogurt with homemade granola, fresh-pressed juices—are available at the Pavilion for a sit-down breakfast.

Location

Cedar Lakes claims to be “an hour and half away and a different world.” In fact, the Shawangunk Mountains’ backdrop of still lakes and tranquil forests will quickly make you forget about this gem in upstate New York. Hudson Valley Port Jervis is only 70 miles away, or about 90 minutes in a car, from big-city noise. From NYC’s Penn Station, you can either drive or take Metro-North or New Jersey Transit to Port Jervis Station. The hotel is a 15-minute Uber away. With their own vehicle, those with a car can explore the area more easily, including nearby High Point State Park which has beautiful hiking trails and Storm King Art Center. You’ll find that there is so much to enjoy at the estate that you won’t want to leave.

Amenities that are Family Friendly

Cedar Lakes Estate is a great place to bring your whole family, even if you only see couples. Not only are the accommodations—some multibedroom with large living spaces and full kitchens—ideal for multigenerational groups, but the activities, both indoor (drive-in movies, game nights, picnic lunches in the Pavilion) and outdoor (ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling) will get the whole brood bonding without any digital distractions.

The property’s offerings change with each season. In the past, it has offered a Little Campers’ Corner with a space for children to craft. It also provided themed “kits” for kids, which included all the materials needed for plotting a treasure hunt, decorating cookies or building snowmen. Snow Paint Party is also on the schedule, where kids can create colorful masterpieces on snow using eco-friendly paints.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

Lisa says that sustainability is at the core of all we do at Cedar Lakes Estate. The grounds are equipped with water stations and refillable water bottles. Geothermal energy is used in certain buildings to reduce energy consumption. Seasonal produce is grown in the garden, and the remainder of the food comes from local farms. Lisa also says that, by the year 2025 about 65 percent will come from solar energy.

Cedar Lakes Estate dates back to the 1920s. Some areas, but not all of them, are accessible by wheelchair. There’s a wheelchair-accessible entrance and path, plus handicap parking on-site for all guests. The resort has five ADA-friendly rooms, and the public spaces and shared areas, including a restored barn, can be accessed by wheelchair.

How to Make the Most of Your Stay

Cedar Lakes Estate does not offer an all-inclusive package, but it includes all meals (breakfast, dinner and afternoon snacks), as well as many activities. layer-on options A private igloo meal is also an additional charge. Cedar Lakes Estate, which is a hotel that operates only during the winter months of the year, does not have a loyalty program. Cottages are $375/night and cabins are $225/night. 

Each T+L Hotel Review is written by a reporter or editor who has visited the hotel. The hotel chosen must also align with our standards. core values.