Reviewed by Meredith Carey
Why book? The perfect romantic getaway from New York City, these pint-sized cabins along the Hudson River offer a just-right environment to slow down.
Set the scene Set on 73 acres of former brickyards along the Hudson River, the Hutton Brickyards masterfully mixes new with old. Drive up to the front desk—located in the original owners mansion up on the hill and built in 1873—to check in and grab your room keys, then hop down to the riverfront to get to your private, modern cabin. (For now, the Hutton is booking guests into its cabins, but the soon-to-be restored mansion will have 12 rooms and some more dining options in 2023.) There’s a little bit of a summer camp vibe here, helped by the archery fields and daily activity schedule filled with bookable cruises, birdwatching, and tours. But most people are here to just relax, read, and take in the view. Well, unless they’re going to a wedding at any of the three riverfront event spaces on site. Since opening in May, the hotel has played host to a number of events where guests book out the entire 31-cabin property—including the two-bedroom Cottage, best for families or as the bridal suite. Expect to see a mix of convalescing New Yorkers, wedding parties, and couples on romantic weekend getaways.
The backstory After firing its last brick in the 1970s, the brickyards fell into disuse, until three of the kilns, the larger property, and the shipping crane were restored and the space was turned into an events compound, hosting concerts, weddings, and corporate events. Salt Hotels, the masterminds behind some of our favorite long-weekend spots like the Salt House Inn and Eben House in Providence, Rhode Island, joined the project a few years later. They’ve brought the cabins, restaurant, and spa to the site, upgrading it for both guests and locals alike.
The rooms There are two main types of cabins at Hutton Brickyard—queen cabins and king cabins—both of which sleep two comfortably. Queen cabins are built into Escape tiny homes, with pine interiors and large front decks with seating areas to make up for their petite (but functional) interiors. For the most part, they have forest views and feel a little less private than where I stayed, in a Riverfront King Cabin. The king cabins that face the river feature stunning views of the Hudson River from their floor-to-ceiling window, oversized bathrooms, cozy decks, and record players to set the mood. (My mix of vintage vinyl included Missy Elliott’s The Cookbook, the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós, and the best of blues singer Robert Johnson.) There’s Malin and Goetz bathroom amenities no matter what type of cabin you stay in, as well as comfy Kassatex robes and mini-fridges. Plus, all rooms have tablets where you can see the day’s activities, order the usual hotel mini-bar fare from the Larder, schedule breakfast deliveries, and even buy books, like The White Album by Joan Didion.
Food and drink The setup here isn’t your average hotel restaurant. Breakfast is included and delivered at the time of your choosing each morning; it usually consists of a parfait, muffin, fruit, and thermos with coffee or hot water for tea. Like I mentioned, you can order potato chips, jerky, s’mores kits, and the like from the Larder, through the in-room tablet. For full meals, you’ll want to head to The River Pavilion, an open-air restaurant set on the shore of the Hudson with incredible views and a focus on wood-burning ovens and local ingredients. Open Wednesday to Monday, the restaurant serves roasted apricots to start; roasted chicken from Snowdance farms, about two hours west of the hotel; mussels from Prince Edward Island with chorizo, tomato, and garlic, among other dishes. It’s important to note that the restaurant is open weather permitting. I stayed when the region was hit by the remains of a hurricane, so it was closed and I ordered delivery from a local Kingston pizza joint instead. Be sure to call ahead if the weather is looking dicey to confirm your reservation. The restaurant is also closed on Tuesdays. Instead, the Hutton brings in a food truck specializing in Ecuadorian and Peruvian food (think delicious empanadas and tostones) and a DJ for entertainment for its weekly Hutton Hangout, also located at the Pavilion. Sure, hotel guests are there, but the bulk of visitors to the riverfront on Tuesdays are actually locals, who bring kids, dogs, and friends to chill and snack at the hotel.
The spa For now, the Salt Spa is in a small building near the event spaces, but eventually there will be dedicated spa cabins, where you’ll find treatment rooms and wooden barrel saunas. That’s not to say the current spa feels temporary—the treatment rooms are relaxing, clean, and quiet. You can book the usuals—Swedish massages, shiatsu massages, facials—with a few exciting add-ons, like turning any massage into a CBD massage or getting a full-body dry brushing treatment.
The neighborhood/area You’re less than 10 minutes from the town of Kingston, filled with great restaurants, antique shops, and wine bars, but the Hutton feels wholly removed from it all. It’s best to have a car if you’re looking to go off-property, as Ubers and Lyfts are few and far between. But if you pack hiking boots, you may never have to leave, as the Hutton has a trailhead for the Empire State Trail, a series of trails that will eventually connect lower Manhattan to two Canadian border crossings, in Buffalo and far Northern New York. You likely won’t get all the way there during your stay, but you can hike along the paved and unpaved sections of the trial surrounding the hotel that follow the river or head into town.
The service Service here is low-key. You’ll see staff riding around in golf carts if you need to flag someone down, or you can call up to the front desk in the mansion if you need more help. They’ll send someone down promptly.
Accessibility Most of the cabins have a number of steps, there's an ADA-compliant king cabin with an accessible entry and a roll-in shower for those who need it. The paths throughout the property are also paved.
Anything left to mention? Happy hour is not to be missed—mostly because you don’t ever have to leave your room to imbibe. Each cabin is given a “Thirsty” flag, which you can pop into the flag holder outside your cabin in the afternoon and a golf cart stocked with canned co*cktails and wine will pop by.
