The Chatwal Lodge: 5-Star Wilderness Retreat
LGBTQ+ travelers looking for a luxury getaway will have a new option in 2022. The visionary hotelier, founder, and chairman of Dream Hotel Group, Mr. Sant Singh Chatwal, is proud to announce the opening of The Chatwal Lodge. The retreat will debut in April 2022 as a private realm in harmony with nature, located in a wide expanse of preserved wilderness just 90 miles north of New York City, in the town of Bethel, New York.
“The Chatwal Lodge is born from our signature New York City location and five-star luxury brand The Chatwal,” said Mr. Sant Singh Chatwal. “Within this decadent and simply unprecedented country retreat, The Chatwal Lodge is a magical destination where luxury meets nature, and we are committed to embracing the natural resources of the area to create an enterprise that truly redefines the town and country luxury hospitality experience.”
Nature
Located at The Chapin Estate, a 2,500-acre gated residential community, The Chatwal Lodge is nestled within a 30-acre environmentally protected land. Guests will enjoy panoramic views of the stunning 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir Lake, have access to lush hiking trails dotted with chestnut trees and hidden water streams, and admire nature including white-tailed deer and nesting bald eagles. The unspoiled landscape with clean mountain air is a quiet sanctuary for city dwellers who are looking to relax and rejuvenate.
Accommodations
Each accommodation will be distinct in appeal yet share a common thread of ethos. The natural beauty of the outdoors will be incorporated in all 10 suites through details like private patios overlooking the Toronto Reservoir Lake, vaulted ceilings, arched windows, reclaimed-wood walls, log-treaded stairs, hand-carved headboards, faux fur, and woolen upholstery. Select accommodations will additionally have larger lakeside decks, outdoor showers, deep soaking tubs, kitchens, dining and living areas suitable for cordial gatherings with family and friends.
Farm-to-Table
The main building, where massive trees – some four feet in diameter – as tall as the roof, will house a farm-to-table restaurant, lobby lounge, wine cellar, bar, breakfast on the terrace, and a private dining room. In season, guests can opt for al fresco dining by an artful water feature that creates a sense of tranquility. A talented local chef will create organic, locally sourced daily specials that represent a vision of localism through a culinary lens. In addition to partnering with neighboring bakers, cheesemakers, artisans, meat and poultry farmers, fresh fish will be sourced from even the on-property trout stream. Fresh herbs and homegrown vegetables will be in abundance from the kitchen gardens on-premise.
Locally inspired craftsmanship will continue throughout additional, expansive public spaces. Afternoon tea experiences, craft cocktails, and all-day dining can be enjoyed beside a massive fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with heaters to take in the lake view all year round.
A cozy library with soaring wooden shelves will display antiquarian and contemporary books on the Catskills and other topics of interest in history, culture, art, and design. Budding literati will find a dedicated section for children’s classics. Indoor games – like chess, scrabble, and backgammon – are offered to enjoy with a drink by the fireplace.
The lobby lounge is a charming setting for inventive cocktails and a delectable selection of afternoon teas. It has a beautiful tree in the middle as well as an intricate staircase fabricated from hand-hewn timber and logs.
Banquets for up to a total of 250 guests with separate halls for social events, weddings, and celebrations, as well as a smaller room for wine dinners, corporate board meetings, and events ranging from 12 to 170 guests, will be a major draw for meeting planners and seekers of most unique event spaces.
A cozy wine cellar with a fireplace and a selection of the world’s finest wines can be reserved separately or combined with an adjacent private dining room to accommodate up to 24 attendees. In addition, a 1,200-square-feet, open-air pavilion will be available for exclusive dinner parties, cocktail celebrations, or lakeside wedding ceremonies.
Architect and Design
Steve Dubrovsky masters the art and craft of 19th-century style Adirondack residential details and seamlessly incorporates elements of nature into his projects. He will apply his hallmark design, rustic and refined, to The Chatwal Lodge. His refined taste comes from creating beautiful homes for the elite at The Chapin Estate and his rustic approach stems from his career in rodeo as a four-time circuit champion of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.
Amenities
Carefully curated amenities will include a house vehicle; 24-hour valet, concierge and butler service; luxury mattresses; plush duvets and pillows; bespoke linens; cashmere and alpaca throws; deep soaking bathtubs; outdoor showers; organic bath products; terry robes; ample closet space; 24-hours in-suite dining; private bars; fireplaces; flat-screen Smart televisions; docking stations; complimentary Internet; and a choice of complimentary newspapers every morning.
Activities
Taking advantage of its landscape, The Chatwal Lodge will offer a variety of activities. Outdoor options will include fly fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, lawn croquet, and recreational badminton. Indoor activities will comprise of Ayurvedic wellness treatments, yoga, meditation, private wine tastings, cooking classes, and music lessons. The concierge team can also reserve priority access to concerts and exhibitions at Bethel Center of Performing Arts and behind-the-scenes tours at local racing tracks.
“An escape from the hustle and bustle of urban landscape might not be a luxury but a necessity,” said Ashish Verma, senior vice president of Dream Hotel Group’s luxury division, overseeing The Chatwal brand. “Keeping that in mind, The Chatwal Lodge is inspired to offer creative luxury wrapped in pristine nature set in the country rich with history, music, healthy dining, pure elements, and many outdoor activities.”