T+L Hotel Review of Wildflower Farms Auberge Resorts Collection in New York Hudson Valley

I was always excited to visit my mom in the Catskill Mountains of New York during summers. I remember the beautiful rolling hills and birds chirping. The genuine smiles from our neighbors were also a fond memory. 

The answer is yes. Catskills and Hudson Valley The area has undergone a radical transformation in recent decades. It’s now a place of chic sophistication that seems at odds with the reality I grew up in. But still, when I made plans to spend a night at Auberge Resort Collection’s Wildflower Farms—one of the only properties from a luxury hotel operator set in this area—I was keen to see this area in a new light.

After a two-hour drive from New York City, my partner and I arrived at the 140-acre Gardiner property on a Thursday night in June. The sun peeked through the clouds, almost as if to welcome us. It had rained all week. It was a spectacular scene. The firepit on the Great Porch, aptly called, was blazing brightly, while guests dressed in stylish loungewear read peacefully as others walked the pebbled paths in the distance. Mercedes Benzes with hotel logos pulled into the driveway in front of us. And the delicious cocktails were flowing out of Clay restaurant, which is located adjacent to the Great Porch. 

It was as if we had entered a curated, alternate universe. And in a certain way, we actually did. Wildflower is managed and owned by Phillip and Kristinrapoport of Gardiner, Minnesota. The couple spent seven long years developing the hotel before it opened its doors in 2022. 

After just 24 hours, I learned that Wildflower Farms has a very deliberate approach to everything they do or offer. The Americana-inspired decor in burnt orange and emerald green matches the forest views seen from many cabins’ back decks. Staff knew that we would like to finish our meal outside the restaurant, and they had prepared a s’mores kit for us. The welcome ritual, which invites guests to wash away the stress of the previous week with products grown on the 6-acre farm on site, is centered around botanicals.

It’s on the farm that this spirit is most evident. It was a pleasure to see it from the farm director Will Conway, and the executive sous chef Kyle Chandler. Forage the Farm Wildflower offers a unique experience. I spent just about an hour or so in the fields with Conway, handpicking some of the very first Spring produce of the season—Tuscan basil, pea flowers, and asparagus. Conway gave me all the information I needed: Around 80 different vegetables, herbs and flowers are produced on-site; production occurs year-round. My favorite was that broccoli is “a loser” when compared to broccolini.

Chandler said, “My job is not to just serve pretty food, but nourish people,” as he stirred the green garlic in the kitchen, sending out a fragrant aroma. He was cooking the three of us a casual lunch of mixed green salad and risotto, all made from the ingredients I had just picked—which when I think about it, is actually not casual at all.

After I finished eating my lunch prepared by a New Paltz-born chef, the warm feeling returned. It lasted for the remainder of my stay.

See why T+L readers chose Wildflower Farms Auberge Resorts Collection as the best resort in T+L. No. 1 resort in New York state In the meantime, 2025 World’s Best Awards.

The Rooms

Rapoports’ vision is evident in the design of Wildflower. They worked with California architects Electric Bowery and New York designers Ward & Gray to bring the natural elements of the landscape in, creating the exact right combination of minimalism and upholstered comfort.

The look and feel of the 65 standalone cottages and cabins—some with floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplaces, others with private decks or outdoor firepits—is essential to the property. You can see the wooden buildings standing out from the Great Porch, where you check in, as they stand out amongst the flowing grass and pebbled path. Other cabins are hidden in the woods. Cabin No. My partner and I were in 32. As I stepped out onto our private deck to take a look at the surroundings, I heard the gurgling sound of Shawangunk kill, a stream that flows along the backside of the property. The Bower Cabin is the official name.

Inside, the aesthetics were continued. The walls are a dark green color that pairs well with burnt orange accents, leather, and velvet in the same shade. The little details added to the room were my favorite. I loved the portable iron in the closet, the extra blankets that matched both the style and comfort of the space and the binoculars. 

Food and Drink

Wildflower and all Auberge Hotels are known for their culinary and beverage programs. At the epicenter is Clay—named because of the high content of clay found in the soil on the property—where executive chef Rob Lawson and executive sous chef Kyle Chandler lean on the land’s produce to curate their creative menu. The Great Porch offers light bites best enjoyed with open flames. Dew bar, the seasonal poolside restaurant, is also available.  

Clay has a buzzy vibe, yet is surprisingly comfortable. Around 7:30 that evening, locals and guests were beginning to arrive. They sat at the counter of the chef, at a table along the wall or at the large floor-to ceiling windows. 

The food is the real star. The menu is varied, from Montuk tilefish served with charred asparagus to braised black rice and country milk bread with miso butter. The hanger steak with tableside shiso chimihurri was my pick of the night. It was fun to watch the chefs make it. My partner chose the Hudson steelhead with glazed carrots. I learned later from Chandler that it was a new addition to the seasonal menu. 

Chefs here work with local farmers like Will Conway in order to make sure they only use the freshest ingredients. The menu is regularly updated. 

Chandler said, “Whatever Will will throw at us we’ll come up with a solution.” “We’ve got to use it.” The team does use it. Each day they collect about 50 pounds worth of kitchen scraps, which are then turned into compost. Chandler said, “It’s like a circle. We do our best to not waste anything and then bring it to the farm.” 

There are also the drinks. While I was there, I enjoyed freshly brewed iced-tea, a cucumber drink made without alcohol, bone broth, as well as a gin and tonic cocktail with edible flower pedals (which, later, we picked ourselves on the farm). All of them were beautiful and delicious. 

Activities and Experiences

Wildflower Farms has plenty to offer. There is a weekly schedule of events posted on the Great Porch—some of which are complementary, and others that require an extra fee. This schedule includes a Vinyasa yoga flow, an animal feeding session at the Farm, a baking class and a botanical blendology course.

In June, I woke up early with my partner to play tennis on the site courts. To get there, we had to take a short, beautiful nature walk. Then, later, I met up with Conway for a Forage the Farm experience—the very first of the season, as this activity is only available in the warmer months. It was a great experience to spend exclusive time with the two people who are responsible for harvesting and menu creation at the hotel.  

Maplehouse is a farm education center that hosts weekly classes and private events.

The Spa

Auberge’s wellness programs are legendary, and Wildflower does not disappoint. At the spa, Thistle, guests can reset on daybeds surrounded by stunning blue-green tiled walls, dip into the indoor saltwater pool, or enjoy the saunas and steam room—all entirely complementary with your stay. 

I received the 90-minute training on my second, Lymphatic Reset signature treatmentThis anti-inflammatory therapy is meant to relieve stress and fatigue. After a 30 minute compression boot session I fell asleep within the first 10 mins. After a few hours, I felt completely dazed and floated into the lounge, where I was greeted with a non-alcoholic, custom-made cucumber drink. I then sipped a complimentary bone broth next to the saltwater swimming pool, and dove in. It was pure bliss. 

The wellness theme is carried out in many other ways, including the turndown service and the welcome ritual. In the evening, a gift, like a piece or eucalyptus leaves on the nightstand. For our stay, the homemade CBD chocolate was meant to reset the circadian clock.

Offers Family Friendly

Wildflower is a great place for families with children. Family members of any age would enjoy the daily activities, such as the “Feed the Animals”, the cooking classes or the painting class. The land is the real playground at this park, whether it’s the meadows and pathways with pebbles, the farm, or the outdoor swimming pool. There are also three outdoor fire pits where you can enjoy a s’mores kit. 

The property would be best suited for a romantic retreat due to its high price and the surrounding environment. During my stay on the property, I noticed that the majority of guests were couples and adult friends or families.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

The hotel has many accessible spaces, including the pool and health club. There are also accessible parking spaces. The pebbled paths to the rooms may be difficult to navigate, so I recommend asking a staff person to give you a lift. 

The rooms are available in four different sizes.

Location

Wildflower is set in Gardiner, New York—a quiet corner of the Catskills, just about an hour and a half to two hours north of New York City. Gardiner, New Paltz and the Shawangunk Mountains are all nearby. Walking, hiking and biking trails can be found there. 

The property is conveniently located near some of the most exciting towns around, including Kingston to the North with its many vintage shops, and Woodstock to the South. Beacon, home to the Dia Beacon Museum and New Windsor’s Storm King, is a great place to stop if you want a taste of art and culture.  

Book Now

Auberge Resorts Collection has no loyalty program. Wildflower Farms can be booked on Amex Travel by Platinum card holders. They receive a complimentary daily breakfast as well as a $100 resort voucher.

Wildflower Farms Auberge Resorts Collection offers nightly rates starting at $1,000.

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.