Piaule

Just two hours north of New York City, among 50 acres of deciduous forest, 24 luxurious cabins stare out over the mountains awaiting escaping city-dwellers. Try your hand at forest bathing, enjoy a sound bath, and get a sense of living among the trees.

Images Courtesy of Piaule, Sean Davidson

Just two hours north of New York City, among 50 acres of deciduous forest, 24 luxurious cabins stare out over the mountains awaiting escaping city-dwellers. Try your hand at forest bathing, enjoy a sound bath, and get a sense of living among the trees.

After founding their homeware brand, Piaule, in 2016, Nolan McHugh and Trevor Briggs started thinking about a larger-scale project: a hotel. Designed in collaboration with prefab specialists Garrison Architects, the inspiration was drawn mainly from Japanese and Scandinavian architecture and design. Ditch your car at the entrance and immerse yourself in the landscape’s sounds, smells, and sights.

The Details

What makes it Kobu

‘The idea was never to create a “shoppable hotel” or “liveable showroom”, but it was paramount to us that no detail of the experience was overlooked. So every time we felt like we couldn’t find the perfect thing, we tried to make it ourselves or collaborate with an expert,’ explain the duo. ‘Some of those things, like linens, glassware and ceramics, were already Piaule products, but other things provided new opportunities to work with local makers and craftspeople [like the] bath products [and] furniture. If guests want to purchase those items, it’s a win-win for everyone.’
Just uphill from the spa, the restaurant offers a warm welcome in a more communal setting. Start your morning with a cup of coffee, looking out at the mountains as the fog lifts slowly.

Directions

Stewart International Airport (SWF / KSWF)

1 hr by car

The Destination

North America

Inness, Upstate New York

Spanning Canada, United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, there are no limits to what North America can offer. From rural retreats in Upstate New York, to idyllic Tulum escapes, and trendy city oases in Los Angeles — pick your destination on your mood and tune-in to its distinct culture.

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