Property
This 265-room mountaintop Victorian castle sits on 2,200 tranquil acres in New York’s Shawanagunk Range and embodies 140 years of accumulated charm and history (with a good dose of modern luxury courtesy of the recently added spa wing). Stepping onto the Mohonk Mountain House property is like stepping into another world.  A world you only wish you didn’t have to check out of.

Location
Though surrounded by charming tiny villages, historic sites, valley orchards, organic farms and Catskill artist colonies, most guests will happily park themselves and enjoy the 85 miles of hiking trails, 110-year-old Scottish golf course, Mohonk Lake (with boating, fishing and swimming), beyond full service spa (moms of terrible two’s — check out the meditation lessons!) and wealth of other recreation opps on property.

Sleeps
With each room uniquely decorated (and often — shaped! Hello, can you say…turrets?), a consult with reservations is key to finding just the right fit.

Highlights
This place is “nobody puts Baby in the corner” in all the best ways. Classic family fun like square dancing, movies under the stars on the front lawn, log-rolling contests, spelunking, lobster bakes– even carriage rides get a pampered spin. For example -the lakeside campfire on the beach was accompanied by pro guitarist leading the “Kum Ba Yah’s” while staff handed out pre-loaded marshmallow sticks and Hershey squares balanced atop graham crackers.

Good to know
Kids will get a real kick out of the underwater music system in the pool (ideally graded for the short set by depth change running length-wise– way more shallow splash area). Give kids a “green” lesson by pointing out the numerous salads created with produce from on-site CSA Brooks Farm, aided by the staff-run compost system (seen up close and personal at Granary BBQ’s overlooking Lake Mohonk). Kids Club is the best — this is the place my 6yo chose over Disneyworld and Great Wolf Lodge– aided by awesomely enthusiastic staff and broken down by age for tailored program (tadpole hunts and pony rides among the highlights). Inclusive rates cover meals — so don’t miss the chocolate fountain.

Contact
http://www.mohonk.com/index.cfm

Written by Sascha Zuger