For those of us who love to travel, this year with the pandemic has been a downer (to say the least!). But that doesn’t mean that all travel is dead. There are still ways that you can travel safely while following all of the COVID-19 guidelines. For me, the answer has been weekend road trips to the Catskills Mountains, in upstate New York.

Why has this been a great substitute for me compared to the far-flung trips I’m used to taking?

Well, for one, you can’t beat the beauty of the Catskills mountains. Each season has its unique appeal. Plus, there are so many quaint and charming towns to explore, which has helped satisfy my never-ending wanderlust. Then there’s the food. There are some top-notch restaurants in the region. Most have adapted to COVID-19 safety protocols and now have outdoor dining and take-out.

But maybe the best part about the Catskills is that many of the activities in the region focus on the great outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, leaf-peeping, skiing, or fly fishing, there is something to do in the Catskills year around.

All of that said, one question still remains: where is it safe to stay in the Catskills right now?

If finding safe accommodations is the one thing that is holding you back from taking a trip to the Catskills, I have good news! I’ve done the legwork for you. I have found a few unique properties that are ideally suited for this pandemic and social distancing.

So if you’re ready to plan a trip to the Catskills Mountains, keep reading for a list of the best places to stay in the Catskills during the pandemic.

Safe Places to Stay in the Catskills

Copperhood Retreat in the Catskills Mountains

Have you ever wanted to rent an entire hotel property all to yourself? (Or at least for you and your family, or a select group of friends?) Well, now you can do just that at the Cooperhood Retreat and Spa.

The Copperhood Retreat is located just outside of Phoenicia in the Catskill Mountains. Normally it’s run as a small hotel, but due to the pandemic, the new owners have recently reopened the property as a private group retreat venue.

The Copperhood is catering to groups that are too large for a typical Airbnb home and prefer not to share hotel space with other guests outside of their group. Remote work and remote learning can be easily integrated during your stay with the recent installation of enterprise fiber internet, and the property is perfect for both families and corporate teams.

Guests have access to hiking trails on 32 acres, a 60-foot heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, tennis court, wrap-around outdoor deck with mountain views, and fitness studio and gym. Groups can arrange catering and take-out from a variety of local purveyors or cook in the Copperhood’s comfortable commercial kitchen.

The Copperhood has 16 guest rooms and can comfortably fit a maximum of 32 guests in a variety of rooms and larger suites. With a minimum booking of eight rooms for four nights, twelve rooms for three nights, or all sixteen rooms for two nights, your group can have a mountain resort to call your own.

Think Big! A Tiny House Resort in the Catskills

Ever wonder what it’s like to live in a tiny house? Well, now you have your chance to find out! You can book a tiny home at the Think Big! A Tiny House Resort in the Catskills Mountains, not far from Woodstock.

While the fascination with tiny homes has been around for a while, these accommodations have even more appeal now because of their ability to give you everything you need for functional living plus the privacy and space you need due to the pandemic.

Whether you choose one of the tiniest units—like The Green Bean—or a larger home like the 400-square-foot Lodge, which sleeps seven, you’ll immediately be impressed by how well-equipped and efficiently designed these tiny homes are.

Even better is the beautiful natural surroundings. The large windows of these tiny homes turn outdoor scenes into art as each season morphs into the next. But that doesn’t mean you should live without creature comforts like heat, air conditioning, a kitchen, a hot shower, a flushable toilet, dedicated WiFi just for your use, and streaming services.

Whether it’s for work or play, these tiny homes are equipped to give you a safe and unforgettable getaway.

Antrim Streamside in the Western Catskills

Antrim Streamside is located on the banks of the Willewemoc Creek, a 5-minute drive from Livingston Manor, in the western Catskills. The property was a smaller bed and breakfast in the past. It re-opened after a full renovation and expansion as Antrim Streamside in 2016.

The accommodations consist of 4 cabins and 2 cottages, spread out on over 100 acres of land. While the rates aren’t super cheap, averaging $225 per night in a cabin (which can accommodate 2-3 people), they are certainly in line with what other resorts in the area are charging.

The property is ideally suited for people who want to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no communal indoor areas on the property and the resort can only host up to 20  guests at a time.  There’s no housekeeping (unless you need it) and all of the lodgings are spread out, so socially distancing is easy!

Booking a stay here is like having your own private country retreat.

All of the accommodations come with fully stocked kitchens, so you can cook every meal in your room if you’re nervous about eating out. And the continental breakfast that comes with your stay (yogurt, fruit, granola, coffee & tea)  is left in the kitchen ahead of time.

To learn more about the property, check out my full hotel review of the Antrim Streamside.

The Hunter Houses 

If beautiful interiors are your thing, then you need to book a stay at one of The Hunter Houses in the Catskills Mountains, located near two popular ski mountains in the area, Hunter and Windham.

These two homes, the Greenhouse and the Barnhouse were painstakingly renovated over two years by a young-ish NYC couple. With little to no design or renovation experience, they did an incredible job.

The attention to detail paid off because the two homes are beautiful and chic. (And the perfect backdrop for all of your Instagram shots!) A combination of bohemian and rustic design creates an inviting and cozy space. Even better, both homes provide ample space for privacy and social distancing.

These two homes have become quite popular recently, so bookings are hard to come by. However, they do have a waitlist. Given the success of these two home rentals, my guess is it won’t be long before this couple renovates another home to share with all of us!

Are You Ready to Stay in the Catskills Mountains?

So, what do you think? Are you ready to explore the Catskills Mountains and stay overnight?

If so, I hope this round-up of unique places to stay in the Catskills has been helpful!

And, if you’re interested in learning more about the region, check out my Catskills Travel Guide and my Livingston Manor Travel Guide.