Where to Stay in Hudson Valley (in 2023)

7 Best Towns & Areas to Stay in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is a large area with all different types of places to stay. Whether you’re looking for a natural setting, a quiet retreat, or looking to visit three historic buildings a day, you’ll have no trouble finding it all in the Hudson Valley. So, let’s figure out the ideal environment for you.

Oh, and before you dive in, be sure to bookmark my Hudson Valley itinerary!

Rhinebeck

👉 Best Area For Good Food and Drinks | ✨ Best Rhinebeck Hotels: Beekman Arms Hotel • Mirbeau Inn & Spa  • The Gables of Rhinebeck Inn 

Rhinebeck is the ideal spot if you always want a good restaurant nearby. There are a bunch of delicious dining establishments serving up a variety of cuisine right in the city center. Between meals, you can visit the area’s museums and historical sites. Or, if you need some time to unwind, check out the Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck. 

A trip to Rhinebeck can work for families with kids, a romantic getaway, or even a weekend with friends. There are many gorgeous accommodation options with guest rooms at varied price ranges.  

Pros of Staying in Rhinebeck Neighborhood:

• Lots of incredible places to eat and drink
• Only a short drive from other Hudson Valley areas
• Close to public transportation 

Con of Staying in Rhinebeck Neighborhood:

• Accommodations can be expensive
• Things close down pretty early

Beacon

👉 Best Area For Exploring the Arts | ✨ Best Beacon Hotels: The Dutchess Inn and Spa at Beacon • Beacon Hermitage • Hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fishkill 

Beacon is the place for art lovers. Here you’ll find modern art galleries, museums, and lots of creative energy. I’d specifically recommend spending an afternoon at Dia Beacon. The art museum has out-of-the-box installations and a phenomenal space. Or, the Storm King Art Center if you’re up for a little drive and prefer to be outside. 

The accommodations in Beacon cater to any budget. You can get a glamorous, high-end boutique hotel with an indoor pool, or more laidback budget-friendly guest rooms. 

Pros of Staying in Beacon Neighborhood:

• An overall cool, artsy vibe
• Hotel options at various price points
• Lots of museums and art galleries
• Great coffee shops
• Convenient bus transportation to other areas

Cons of Staying in Beacon Neighborhood:

• Limited activities beyond arts and museums
• Has become a little touristy with many new hotels popping up 

Stone Ridge 

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Stone Ridge Hotels: Elmrock Inn • inness • Hasbrouck House 

Stone Ridge is one of the most conveniently located places to stay in New York state. It’s a quick drive to lots of other adorable towns like Woodstock, New Paltz, Kingston, and more. Plus, it’s only 2 hours from NYC. 

There’s also endless nature to see nearby. The town is right between the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains. Head to Mohonk Preserve for panoramic views of the Hudson Valley at the top of the mountains. 

There are plenty of things to do in Stone Ridge too. There are all different types of restaurants around. You can find a farm-to-table restaurant just as easily as a slice of pizza. 

Pros of Staying in Stone Ridge Neighborhood:

• A variety of cuisine to choose from
• Easy to find a farm-to-table restaurant
• Surrounded by nature and outdoor activities
• Very safe area

Cons of Staying in Stone Ridge Neighborhood:

• Limited accommodations in the actual town
• A car is required to get around

Tarrytown

👉 Best Area For Close Proximity to NYC | ✨ Best Tarrytown Hotels: Castle Hotel & Spa • Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson • Courtyard by Marriott Tarrytown Westchester County 

Everyone wants the chance to experience New York City, but actually staying there can be a little intimidating. If you want the freedom of being close to NYC without needing to get one of the super expensive guest rooms there, then consider Tarrytown. 

Tarrytown is only an hour from NYC, with public transportation options available. It’s also a fun, historical city on its own. There are many tasty places to eat, historical sites, and even a state park. 

Pros of Staying in Tarrytown Neighborhood:

• Easy and quick public transport to NYC
• Located next to the Hudson River
• Gorgeous mansions
• Lots of boutique shops

Con of Staying in Tarrytown Neighborhood:

• Very crowded 

Hyde Park

👉 Best Area For Historical Sites | ✨ Best Hyde Park Hotels: Journey Inn Bed & Breakfast • Roosevelt Inn of Hyde Park • Inn the Woods B&B

If you’re a big history buff, then Hyde Park is a fantastic place to start exploring New York’s history. There’s history all over HV, with many of the top attractions being in Hyde Park. Here, you’ll find the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (a National Historic Landmark), along with other landmarks like the Vanderbilt Mansion.

There are also plenty of accommodation options. In particular, it’s a great place to find a boutique hotel. 

Pros of Staying in Hyde Park Neighborhood:

• Close to lots of historical sites
• Friendly small-town vibe
• Adorable boutique hotels

Con of Staying in Hyde Park Neighborhood:

• Limited nightlife

New Paltz

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best New Paltz Hotels: Minnewaska Lodge • Hampton Inn by Hilton New Paltz • Mohonk Mountain House

New Paltz is one of the best places to stay in all of New York state. It’s home to the ultra-luxurious (albeit, expensive) Mohonk Mountain House.

You could spend an entire trip just staying at this top-notch New York hotel (I recommend a visit even if you don’t sleep there), but there’s also a lot to see in New Paltz itself. Mountains surround the area. The town has some of the best nightlife around. Plus, it’s centrally located. It’s simple to head south to NYC or a couple of hours north to Saratoga Springs.  

Pros of Staying in New Paltz Neighborhood:

• Excellent nightlife scene with many bars
• Easy to find a high-quality restaurant
• Close to many natural attractions and hiking spots

Cons of Staying in New Paltz Neighborhood:

• It’s a college town, so it can get loud and rowdy
• There are more homestays and guest rooms available than hotels

Hudson

👉 Best Area For Shopping and Relaxing | ✨ Best Hudson Hotels: Nest Hudson • The Hudson Whaler • Hudson B&B

Hudson is another fun, artsy town that makes for a relaxing weekend getaway. It’s located right up against the Hudson River, as its name suggests. There is a lot of shopping around town. Particularly, downtown Hudson is known for its vintage, antique, and boutique shopping. 

If you’re visiting in the winter, you can find some of the best cross-country skiing in the country nearby. Just 40 minutes away are Hunter and Windham Mountain. 

That’s the great thing about Hudson. There are so many things to do in the town and nearby. 

Pros of Staying in Hudson Neighborhood:

• Plenty of vintage and antique shopping
• Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain are only 40 mins away
• Lots of hotels, restaurants, and bars
• Beautiful landscapes and nature nearby

Cons of Staying in Hudson Neighborhood:

• Gets humid in the summer and extremely cold in the winter
• High sales tax
• Pricey

Tips for Staying in the Hudson Valley

Get Out in Nature

The neighborhoods of New York City are only a tiny piece of the New York pie. Most of the state is covered in spectacular nature for you to explore. Don’t miss out on hiking, mountain biking, and all the other outdoor activities in New York’s Hudson Valley. 

Shop the Local, One-of-a-Kind Shops

One of my favorite things about New York is all the one-of-a-kind local shops. When you’re out wandering the streets, make sure you peruse some of the adorable shops around town for clothes, trinkets, and souvenirs. 

Take a Day Trip to New York City

Another awesome thing about the Hudson Valley is its proximity to NYC. It’s only a quick 2-3 hour train ride, and you’ll end up right in the middle of Manhattan. It’s a totally doable day trip I took about 200 times while growing up. 

Consider the Season You’re Visiting

New York locals always say that one of their favorite things about the state is that they get to experience all four seasons. However, that also means you must be prepared for each one. New York is a very different place in the winter versus the summer. So, make sure you pick the best time to visit New York for your preferences. 

Accommodations in the Hudson Valley aren’t cheap

Another big thing to keep in mind when you’re staying in the Hudson Valley is that accommodations don’t come cheap. Whether you’re staying in guest rooms, a boutique hotel, or an Airbnb. Things are either going to be expensive or more expensive. 

Don’t let that reality scare you away completely. It’s definitely worth the price, but it’s something to be aware of before arriving. Budget accordingly.

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Thanks for reading my guide for the best places to stay in the Hudson Valley. Hopefully, you found the perfect place to plant roots on your next trip. If you plan on taking a quick trip south to NYC, check out our guide to where to stay in New York City, too.

Have fun in Hudson Valley!