If You Love Taking Baths, Then You’ll Be Obsessed With Urban Cowboy Catskills
If you could use a dose of crisp mountain air, several long baths, and martinis delivered to your doorstep, I know just the place.
Perched on a mountain in the Big Indian Wilderness 2.5 hours north of the city, you’ll find Urban Cowboy Catskills, a 28-room alpine lodge hotel that radiates après-ski vibes–with or without skiing. Even though ski resort Belleayre Mountain is just 15 minutes north, I opted in for 24 hours of of leisurely indulgence instead. I was definitely in the right place at the right time, because my sentiment dovetailed perfectly with the unadulterated “fest and rest” ethos of Urban Cowboy.
Pulling up to Urban Cowboy’s summer camp-like-set-up on a bone cold Sunday afternoon in March, I was welcomed by a mustached, former Brooklynite named Chuck wearing a pair of Carthart overalls I would wear. Another sanguine staff member offered me a beverage and told my boyfriend and I to “have a drink and relax.”
“What about our bags?” I asked, my eyes darting towards my partner. Exchanging a dubious glance, we checked our neurotic mannerisms at the door and sampled a few Bourbons on a comfy leather couch. Suddenly feeling a bit more daring, we popped into the Main Lodge’s gift shop, which is set up like a grab-and-go canteen. You can get this Basalm Fir and cedar-scented Catskills candle and vintage cotton crewneck Cowboy sweatshirt like I did, but also many of-the-moment items you may’ve forgot to pack, like rolling papers.
Now, here’s where I became exceptionally giddy: when entering our luxurious cabin-style Alpine Bathing Suite overlooking the mountains. The centerpiece of the room was a magnificent clawfoot copper bathtub steps away from a king-sized bed, sitting den, and balcony with Adirondack chairs. Equipped with a cast iron stove for warmth, hooded robes for peak coziness, and an “At Your Service” menu with everything from french fries and extra bath salts to a canteen hoodie & extra blanket, it’s easy to understand why it took a lot for me to even want to leave our room.
Instant gratification at its best, all I had to do was text Urban Cowboy’s staff number and a cooler bag with whatever I needed would appear outside our door within 20 minutes. And I haven’t even mentioned the floor-to-ceiling wallpaper, which was more than just visually stunning. It reminded me how much details—like wallpaper—really influence a room’s story, and at the very least set the tone for your own Urban Cowboy chronicle. Hand-printed by artist Clint Van Gemert, our room was uniquely adorned with an alpine motif that made me feel like I was sleeping in a Wes Anderson movie set. Ultimately, I took no less than 6 baths and no more than 400 photos.
Our 6:30 pm dinner reservation at the hotel’s restaurant Public House eventually beckoned me back to the main lodge. After a meal of Wilson’s bread and cultured butter, caesar salad, roasted chicken, and a second or third martini, there was still so much to explore. After checking out the stack of vinyl and marveling at rustic Americana lodge decor details, we made our way downstairs in the Main Lodge to Urban Cowboy’s 1970s-inspired basement with billiard games, strobe lights, and an old piano just waiting to be played.
Although I only stayed at Urban Cowboy Catskills for one night, I truly recommend two nights if you can swing it. If only I had 24 more hours to play at Urban Cowboy Catskills, I would’ve also used the Estonian sauna and listened more closely to the early spring birds chirp amidst the hotel’s 68-acres and trails.
Come summer, Urban Cowboy Catskills transforms into a haven for mixing, mingling and enjoying all of the amenities mentioned above, only instead of white-topped mountains, you’ll be encircled 24/7 by lush greenery and can even enjoy a jacket-less walk from Urban Cowboy’s suites to lodges.
If you can’t tell, I had an incredible stay at Urban Cowboy Catskills. I recommend this boutique Catskills hotel for bachelor & bachelorette parties, couple getaways, and whenever you feel like you “want to go to the Catskills” without sacrificing luxury.
Some Insider Tips:
It is warming up in the Catskills, but that Big Indian Wilderness air is CHILLY. Make sure to bring your warmest socks or do like The Dandy and stop at Woodsock in the town of Woodstock, 30 minutes away for a great selection of really thick socks.
Get breakfast at The Phoenicia Diner. It’s a wilderness diner experience out of a movie. Get avocado toast, the farmers’ skillet, or any damn good breakfast sandwich your heart desires in a cozy retro setting that’s usually filled with cool and cute locals.
Take the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower hike! It’s a 6 mile hike to one of the highest peaks in the Catskills Mountains. I predict myriad photo opportunities here.
If you are driving from downstate and want to take the scenic route, make sure you pass through Claryville and Denning for an incredibly beautiful forest drive. SUV recommended.
