11 Unique Places to Stay in New York State

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New York state needs zero introduction. The state’s capital is synonymous with pop culture and high-end fashion and is one of the most visited cities in the world.

But New York is more than towering skyscrapers, iconic filming locations, and giant pizza slices. It’s a state home to incredible — and unique — accommodation options.

For your next trip to the state, skip the typical hotel jaunts, and book a night at one of these unique places to stay in New York. From treehouses to luxury getaways with enough space for the whole family, there’s enough variety throughout the state that traditionalists and avant-garde travelers alike be able to find the perfect place to stay.

Related Read: 11 of the Coolest New York Yurt Rentals

1. Mohonk Mountain House

unique places to stay in new york — Photo: Mohonk Mountain House

Why you should stay: Historic hotel for equal parts great outdoors and great pampering.

Nearest town: New Paltz
Sleeps: 2+
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $655/night

Immerse yourself into the beautiful landscape of Hudson Valley with a stay at Mohonk Mountain House. The 1869 Victorian castle resort boasts an impressive 40,000 acres of forest, delectable farm-to-table cuisine, and an award-winning spa.

Whether you need a girls’ trip or want to escape with your beau to upstate New York for a weekend, Mohonk has most of the amenities most travelers will want, plus a great selection of lodging options. Guest can pick from suites, traditional mountain-view rooms, cottages, or the “Grove Lodge.” It’s a lux stone cottage with six rooms and space for at least 14 guests.

During your stay, you’ll have access to this unique hotel’s 85-mile hiking trail network, kayaking and stand-up paddleboards, and a plethora of other activities from yoga to magic shows and outdoor movies to help you enjoy the crème-de-la-crème of Hudson Valley’s natural heritage. Oh, and your rate includes three meals a day from the hotel’s gourmet restaurant.

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Follow ’em: @MohonkMountainHouse

2. Floating Farmhouse

Why you should stay: Ok, technically it’s only the porch that’s on the water. And there’s a private pizza oven.

Nearest town: Narrowsburg
Sleeps: 10
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $1,716/night

For a unique place to stay in New York that your family will rave about for years, look no further than the Floating Farmhouse in Narrowsburg. Set against the backdrop of the Catskills Mountains, it’s a modern architectural masterpiece.

The 1820 manor home has old-world charm with all the luxuries you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Make pizzas from scratch with the wood-fired pizza oven, go trout-fishing at the shoreline, and dance the night away to old vinyls in the great room.

Just outside, the views of the Catskills create a storybook ambiance. There are plenty of places to explore, too, from the nearby waterfall and creek to Lake Superior State Park (home to swimming holes, picnic areas, and paddleboat rentals). Paddling and river trips are nearby in the summer, and head to the slopes at Big Bear if you’e in the mood for a low-key family ski day.

The cherry on top? You can book a private chef, yoga classes, or even a massage therapist during your stay.

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3. Sagamore Resort

Why you should stay: Special occasion waterfront hotel in Lake George.

Nearest town: Bolton Landing
Sleeps: 2+
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $314/night

Sagamore Resort is all about relaxation, high-end cuisine, and the perfect blend of luxury and history. This is the kind of resort where you don’t have to leave the property the entire time. Aside from multiple restaurants, you can choose from a full schedule of fitness activities like workout classes and group hikes, and in the winter, be sure to take advantage of the ice bar and groomed cross-country ski trails.

The Lake George waterfront property has a range of accommodations for your stay. The Historic Main Hotel calls back to a bygone era with classic Victorian architecture, while the Wapanak Castle (a modern take on Renaissance architecture) is a showstopper for groups celebrating a special occasion.

The 70-acre property hosts some of the most celebrated restaurants on Lake George, serving up everything from authentic Italian favorites to New York-style steaks and light meals around the 95,000-gallon outdoor pool.

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Follow ’em: @TheSagamoreResort

4. The Peninsula

Why you should stay: Extreme luxury on NYC’s Fifth Ave.

Nearest town: New York City
Sleeps: 2
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $695/night

Ready to step into Blaire Waldorf’s shoes for a weekend? Pack your best Upper East attire and check in to Fifth Avenue’s most glamorous address — The Peninsula Hotel.

After a long day of ticking off New York’s top attractions, head up to the hotel’s Salon De Ning. The chic rooftop bar offers unbeatable panoramic views over the glittering skyline of Manhattan and is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail. You’ll have some of the world’s best restaurants mere minutes away, but you may also want to order room service and wash a movie in your posh rooms.

And speaking of the rooms, The Peninsula doesn’t skip a beat on providing a five-star experience. Spring for a suite if you can, but you’ll also be wowed by even the “basic” hotel rooms.

They have big desks and fast Wi-Fi, comfortable king-sized beds, and marble fixtures and finishings in the roomy backrooms. But if you’re looking for a room with a view, splurge on the corner Junior Suite. You’ll have stunning views overlooking Fifth Avenue or 55th Street. It’s the ultimate city-slicker retreat.

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Follow ’em: @ThePenninsulaNYC

5. Paper Factory

Why you should stay: Unique place to stay in New York for social digital nomads.

Nearest town: New York City
Sleeps: Up to 5
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $129/night

Calling all digital nomads and remote workers!

Stay at Paper Factory, and you can keep up-to-date with work and explore NYC at the same time. The hotel is all about co-living and co-working and has everything you need to make sure you don’t miss a meeting or deadline.

Each room comes with access to workspaces, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, and access to the 24-hour gym. And you’ll be only 10 minutes from Midtown, making it easy to hit the streets for pop-up happy hours or DJ-led yoga classes between meetings.

The unique hotel is in renovated paper factory. The hotel is artfully decorated and designed to encourage inspiration, with brightly patterned reclaimed furniture, eye-catching canvases, and mini-fridges in all the rooms.

Whether you’re looking to work or unwind, Paper Factory has rooms to cover your every need. Hang out in the sun-drenched conservatory, challenge a friend to a game of shuffleboard in the playroom, or celebrate the end of the work week with cocktails in the courtyard.

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Follow ’em: @thecollectiveliving

6. Ultra Luxury Treehouse

Why you should stay: It’s the ultimate lux glamping experience in New York.

Nearest town: Adirondack
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $446/night

Craving an escape from big city living? Head to the woodlands of Adirondack, a town — wait for it — in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s where you’ll find this gorgeous luxury treehouse, one of the most unique places to stay in New York if you’re into accolades. It’s been featured in Architectural Digest.

The two-story treehouse comes with an 80-foot-long suspension bridge, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking a 50-foot waterfall, and every single creature comfort you’ll need for an incredible stay.

The interior boasts a beautiful blend of modern rustic design, Edison light fixtures, and fun details like a black chalkboard fireplace that makes the property perfect for traveling families.

Upstairs, step through double-paned french doors to reach the luxurious large bedroom. You can control the lights with a remote from the floating king-sized bed and curl up while watching a movie on Netflix on the 55-inch TV. Ahh, relaxation.

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7. Modern Accord Depot

Why you should stay: Sleep in a historic train depot from 1902.

Nearest town: Accord
Sleeps: 8
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $649/night

All aboard the Modern Accord Depot! Once a railway station, it’s now a totally modern, totally unique hotel in New York. It’s in the Hudson Valley, so you’ll be close to everything from the Minnewaska State Park Preserve to hiking and climbing to wineries and the sprawling Storm King Art Center (an outdoor sculpture museum). If you decide to spend some time at the Minnewaska, give it a full day — between rock climbing, hiking, and fishing, you’ll want to have lots of time there.

The cool vintage home is funky and bright inside and mixes modern whimsical touches with historic elements like period-appropriate furniture, train station signage, and bunk-style sleeping options (not the only option, though). The funky building even sits on the original railroad track.

Book your next vacation here and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the heyday of American train travel (but with maybe some Wes Anderson vibe thrown in).

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8. Hemlock Falls Waterfall Campsite

Why you should stay: No tent, no Wi-Fi, no problem.

Nearest town: Parksville
Sleeps: 2
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $236/night

Want to go camping but don’t have a tent? Need a digital detox and a dose of nature? Book a night or three at the Waterfall Campsite in Parksville. It feels like it’s deep into the wilderness and since there aren’t too many modern amenities, you’ll have plenty of time to spend looking for the three waterfalls across the 40-acre property. With no Wi-Fi and spotty cell service, it forces you to disconnect from the office and the mindless scrolling of social media.

Each of the four canvas tents comes with a queen-sized bed and lux bamboo linens, a private deck for your early morning coffee, a BBQ grill, and a fire pit for ghost stories and eating one too many s’mores.

But before you click on “book now,” the Waterfall Campsite isn’t for everyone: you’ll need to be okay with roughing it. It’s an 8-minute hike to your tent and no showers unless you request a solar shower bag. But good news: it’s dog-friendly.

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Follow ’em: @HemlockFallsCamping

9. The Airstream at June Farms

Why you should stay: Cute getaway on a farm with a few options for bigger groups.

Nearest town: West Sand Lake
Sleeps: 2
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $245/night

Want to tick off sleeping in an airstream trailer? Then this should probably top your list of unique places to stay in New York. The Airstream at June Farms is on a lovely farm in West Sand Lake, surrounded by a lush forest canopy complete with fairy lights for a touch of whimsical ambiance.

The 1984 Airstream is the spot for a romantic rendezvous if you live in NYC — seriously: it’s accessible via Amtrak (and a quick uber ride) so no need to have a car. In about three hours, you’ll be soaking away the stress of the real world in the luxury saltwater hot tub (don’t forget the wine!), relaxing in the hammock, or ready to cook up a romantic meal in the roomy kitchen.

If you’re not a fan of cooking on vacation, the owner is a local restaurateur, who can give excellent recommendations for dining out. June Farms has several lodging option on-site, making it a good pick if you’re traveling with a large group or multiple couples.

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Follow ’em: @JuneFarms

10. Luxury Cottage with Spectacular Lake Views

Why you should stay: A lux getaway and incredible views that with won’t break the bank.

Nearest town: Greenwood Lake
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $289/night

Lake views, a private beach, and being just a quick drive from Mount Creek Ski Resort are some of the things you can expect from this ultra-luxurious cottage in Greenwood Lake.

Built on an elevated platform, you’ll wake up to uninterrupted views of the lakefront community. Sit on the wrap-around deck with your morning coffee and curl up next to the outdoor fireplace in the evening. With comfortable cushions, lanterns, and fairy lights, it’s a great setting for a romantic night under the stars.

If you’re visiting during summer, consider having an al fresco dining experience on the tiered lawn. There are more than a few wineries in the area in case you want to host your own wine tasting and there are a few farmer’s markets in the area so you can be sure you’re cooking with the freshest ingredients possible.

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Follow ’em: @LakeViewCottage_GWL

11. Hobbit House of Pawling

Why you should stay: A dream getaway for any “Lord of the Rings” fan.

Nearest town: Pawling
Sleeps: 6
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $446/night

Live out your “Lord of the Rings” fantasy at the Hobbit House. Designed to replicate Frodo’s abode (which was actually in New Zealand), this unique place to stay ensures you’ll get your dose of the Shire without the 22-hour flight.

Set in the tranquil village of Pawling, you’ll have all the privacy you need to immerse yourself into J.R.R. Tolkien’s world and enjoy your second breakfast, elevensies, and luncheon without any judgment.

Inside, you’ll find two bedrooms with king-sized beds and two bathrooms with a walk-in shower. The space is ideal for a group of L.O.T.R. fans or families (as long as the kids are 12 and above). There’s an additional queen-sized sleeper couch in the living room, in case you have a single person who doesn’t mind the couch.

When you’re not feasting on hobbit treats like scones and sweet tea, you can chill out in the hammocks, put a couple of steaks on the BBQ grill, or read a good book next to the babbling brook.

The best part? According to the listing, you can request a “Lord of the Rings Quest.” What is it? Who knows — but only one way to find out.

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