Guest User
February 11, 2024
The days of splendor have returned to Amenia New York with the re-opening of beloved Troutbeck, a mainstay in the region for decades. We were fortunate enough to score a reservation for dinner & dining over this past New Years Holiday, and it did not disappoint. There was a time ( I am dating myself here) when 20 +years ago my wife and I would pack up the car from the Upper E Side and head up to Amenia for New Years. Always somehow booking their very last room they had available. I, being the "Last of the Mohicans" who still to this day takes New Year's Eve seriously, dressing in our very best, much as a gesture of respect to the Ex-Owner, Jim Flaherty- who I then dubbed The King of New Years. Troutbeck in those days was a lovely fashioned country-estate old place with cabins and guest accommodations spread throughout the property. Staying within the Main House was and is an additional lodging option. New Years Eve in those days was always one heckuva bash w/ from the lively conversation and interesting people- to the clamoring 5-piece orchestra, tres' elegant black tie 4-course dinner, and- believe it or not-mounds and mounds of glistening grey eggs eaten sumptuously from Mother of Pearl -always satisfied. Ah, dems were the days. Well, fast forward 20 +years, the caviar has gone, as have the orchestra, now having been replaced by a zealous D.J.--but, never the less, was still a hoot and a good time. The new Owners have done a splendid job restoring much of the old grande dame'to it's earlier days of glory. The hotel is large and meandering, and although obviously full of guests it never quite felt cramped, as there are numerous rooms located here-and-there w/deep plush couches to sink into and sip coffee w/an endless assortment of books to reflect over. ( Sadly, no NY Times delivery though surprisingly) I poked around and located a very cute shop w/ an Honor Bar where they sell lovely local honeys, jams and assorted pastries and sundries. The grounds, even in winter are peaceful and bucolic w/gravel pathways set amongst tall old trees. While strolling the woods you will surely come upon a now converted barn where the yoga takes place, and there is a peaceful bubbly brook that runs through the middle of the property with Adirondack lounge chairs set up and white sand to which they aptly call "The Beach". (also with firepits) We noticed too a large outdoor swimming pool that would seem to be very appealing come June. During the New Years evening the fires were kept blazing away throughout the numerous scattered firepits, kept alive and tended to by watchful staff members. As the evening chill set in, a lovely attentive staff member (un-prompted) brought me over a comfy red pashmina to shield the cold. Handsome reveling guests whiled away the evening drinking scotch and champagne. The rooms ( Yet AGAIN I got the last room available!) was all we needed. From the website we see that there are various accommodations to suit any budget m