Hotel Snapshot
An hour north of Manhattan in the charming village of Sloatsburg, New York, Valley Rock Inn is a chic hideaway for those in the know. The owner, Michael Bruno, also started 1stdibs and clearly has the Midas touch—this is a place that’s every bit as stylish as you’d expect. Framed by the Ramapo Mountains and surrounded by 70,000 acres of parkland, the inn pairs fresh air and mountain views with seasonal fare and restorative wellness programming that keeps guests coming back.
Design & Character
Spread across over four acres, Valley Rock Inn feels like an outdoor lover’s dream. Meandering paths connect a mix of intimate and open green spaces, from the white gravel–lined Rose Garden—anchored by a fountain and surrounded by stone walls—to the cozy Shade Garden and expansive lawns, often used for weddings and events.
Inside, public spaces and guest accommodations are outfitted with a collector’s eye. The aesthetic includes antiques, 20th-century design pieces, and local artworks. Five 19th-century houses have been beautifully restored and turned into three- to five-bedroom retreats, with one reimagined as four separate suites—adding to the inn’s lived-in, residential feel.
The Rooms
Bruno turned to the New York interior designer Lisa Bowles to collaborate on creating Valley Rock’s 21 guest rooms, each with their own distinct flair. The furniture is mostly courtesy of his personal collection, amassed during his global travels for 1stdibs. Guests can expect antiques paired with vintage pieces from some of the biggest names in design- Florence Knoll and Jean-Michel Frank tables, Franco Albini lighting, Eames chairs, and a striking array of Noguchi sculptures. Capturing the spirit of country life, the houses also feature furnished porches, some with balconies overlooking the landscape.
Food & Drink
The property’s two restaurants, The Cantina and The Lodge, as well as its Organic Market & Café, serve fresh, seasonal, local, and vibrant cuisine. They’re hotspots for the well-heeled residents of nearby Tuxedo and owners of multimillion-dollar weekend homes.
The Organic Market is the venue to hit for lunch. You’ll find groceries here and a daily-changing menu of prepared dishes, including entree salads. During my visit, the options included wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and a variety of organic vegetables. My garden salad, topped with grilled chicken, was simple, healthy, and delicious.
The Cantina, an outdoor eatery, is open for lunch and dinner. The cuisine, reflective of the hotel, is an eclectic mix of global flavors, including spicy ahi tuna with crispy rice, roasted beets with tahini, a classic chicken Milanese, and more. Come evening, The Lodge comes to life with its formal dining room, full-service bar, two large-scale fireplaces, a lounge with soaring ceilings, and a glass-enclosed porch.
Amenities
Wellness takes center stage here. The property’s lineup runs the gamut from single workshops to multi-day retreats—energy healing, meditation, yoga, and even consciousness exploration with The Monroe Institute. You can craft your own wellness getaway if you’re not coming for a program. The 7,000-square-foot gym, spin room, yoga studio, sauna, massage cottage, and indoor-outdoor pool make it easy to focus on your mind and body.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
You’re in the Hudson Valley, which begs to be explored. Lace up for a hike or bike ride through the scenic trails of Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks, whether for an hour or a full-day adventure, picnic lunch in tow. The storybook village of Tuxedo, with its Tudor buildings and homegrown shops and restaurants, is under ten minutes away. A bit farther out, Woodbury Commons tempts with designer shopping, and Storm King Art Center—an open-air sculpture museum unlike any other—is a 40-minute drive.
Fast Facts:
Location: Sloathsburg, NY
Rating: 4 stars
The Vibe: Bohemian Luxury
Room Count: 21
Starting Rate: $695, with a two-night minimum
Food & Drink: Grab a fresh, seasonal bite at The Organic Market, dine alfresco on globally inspired dishes at The Cantina, or head to The Lodge for a refined dinner that always has a scene.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The “I’m someplace special and insidery” factor. It’s not about keeping up with the Joneses—it’s about being ahead of them.
Closest Airport: 45 minutes to Newark International Airport; One hour to 90 minutes from JFK and LaGuardia, depending on traffic and time of day.
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