In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding a serene escape that allows us to reconnect with nature and disconnect from the digital world has become a rare treasure. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen pictures of someone relaxing in a Getaway House, dreamily staring out the large picture window into the quiet, peaceful forest.
Getaway cabins are an influencer’s dream: minimalist modern cabins tucked away in picturesque mountains and forests. They are known for offering a unique and minimalist escape from urban life. The Getaway House cabin looked pretty neat, so my family and I decided to stay in Getaway House New York in the Catskills to see what all the tiny house cabin camping hype was about. Having been to the Catskills on many occasions, I love this part of upstate NY and thought it would be a great idea and perfect place to experience it in one of these tiny homes.
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What to Expect with Getaway House
We arrived at the Getaway House outpost location at their check-in time, around 3:00 in the afternoon on a cool, foggy Wednesday (it’s about $50/night cheaper if you rent the cabin during the week). Tucked away off a back road in upstate New York, it was an easy drive from the NYC area and fairly easy to find the exact location of these rental cabins. There were at least 60 or 70 tiny black boxes scattered throughout several acres of woods, which helped us feel isolated but also still somewhat connected.
The accommodations are small, cozy cabins designed to promote a sense of simplicity and mindfulness. They are equipped with the basics to meet essential needs while encouraging a focus on the natural environment and personal reflection.
Because it was my wife, my daughter, my dog, and me, our tiny cabin experience was definitely cramped and difficult to maneuver inside the space (approximately 200 sq ft). You immediately walk into a small kitchen area with a mini fridge, a small table to your left, and a small bathroom to your right. Past the table is a queen bed. Our tiny cabin also featured a loft space above the bottom bed, so you could potentially fit up to four people inside. The flow was a bit difficult to figure out at first, but then became more normal after some time.
Getaway House encourages guests to unplug and disconnect from their devices. The cabins typically have minimal amenities, promoting a break from constant connectivity and screen time.
Amenities Included
- Queen bed or bunk beds
- Hot shower
- Two-burner stove
- AC and heat
- Private toilet
- Sink and drinkable water
- WiFi
- Chair and picnic table
- Cellphone lockbox
- Pot, pan, and dishware
- Leash line
- A small dog treat
- Fire pit and grill grate
- Mini fridge
- Firewood and firestarter (for purchase)
- Salt, pepper, and olive oil
- S’mores for purchase
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Stuff You Can Do at Getaway House New York
If you don’t feel like venturing out, Getaway House features some books, a Bluetooth radio, and a deck of cards. That’s about it, though. There’s also an outdoor fire pit setup outside of each cabin along with fire starter (to purchase), firewood and a picnic table. We used the campfire the first night to cook our dinner and it was great. Unfortunately, it rained the next day so we weren’t able to use it again. Getaway also provides plenty of snacks in the kitchenette area for an extra charge.
Getaway House locations aim to provide a space for individuals to reconnect with nature in the great outdoors. Guests can engage in activities like hiking, stargazing, and exploring the outdoors, fostering a sense of well-being and relaxation.
If you feel like going out, there is plenty to do around the area. The Getaway Catskills East location, which is where we stayed, is situated very close to the Hudson River. It’s a 20 minute drive to the town of Hudson, and about a 30 minute drive to Woodstock. Both towns have main streets with plenty of shops to check out.
There’s also a cool waterfall called Kaaterskill Falls, which is an easy hike that almost anyone can handle. Kaaterskill Falls is a two-tiered waterfall that is one of the most popular and iconic waterfalls in the region, known for its scenic beauty and impressive drop. The trailhead is reachable by a relatively short hike. The trail is popular, attracting both casual hikers and more experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
There are plenty more things to do which we didn’t have time for. If you need any food or supplies, there’s a Price Chopper grocery store about 10 minutes away.
Is Getaway House Worth It?
I would say that if you have very small children, the Getaway House experience may not be for you. Since the cabins are relatively close to each other on the camping grounds and sound carries in the woods, it’s easy to hear kids running around and playing, which your neighbors may not appreciate.
If you are a young, married couple looking to spend some quality time alone, you’ll most likely enjoy the experience much more than we did. And, if you’re a serious introvert looking to get away by yourself, even better.
I’d also say that if you work for a company that values really cool team building exercises, the Getaway cabin compound would be great to rent out for a large group of people – as long as everyone gets their own cabin.
For $300/night, I think we would have been much more comfortable in a more traditional cabin with actual rooms and more space. I think these rental cabins were definitely built well and utilized space efficiently, though they should have installed a table that folds up so you can move it out of the way.
I also wish there was a tarp or some sort of awning that could half-cover the fire pit so you could sit outside in the rain. Otherwise, it was definitely a memorable experience that allowed us to escape city life, and that I would recommend for 1 to 2 people max (and maybe a small dog or two).
Other Getaway House Locations
There are different locations for Getaway House Outposts within two hours of several major cities across the country. The booking process is straightforward on the Getaway House website.
- Near Los Angeles: Getaway Big Bear is in Running Springs, California.
- Near Portland: Getaway Mount Adams is in Glenwood, WA.
- Near Seattle: Getaway Skagit Valley is in Mount Vernon, WA.
- Near Austin and San Antonio: Getaway Hill Country is in Wimberley, TX.
- Near Dallas: Getaway Piney Woods is in Larue, TX.
- Near Houston: Getaway Brazos Valley is in Navasota, TX.
- Near Chicago: Getaway Barber Creek is in Grand Junction, MI. Getaway Starved Rock is in Ottawa, IL.
- Near Columbus: Getaway Hocking Hills is in Nelsonville, OH.
- Near Detroit: Getaway The Thumb is in Columbiaville, MI.
- Near Indianapolis: Getaway Brown County is in Columbus, IN.
- Near Kansas City: Getaway Ozark Highlands is in Kansas City, MO.
- Near Milwaukee: Getaway Wild Rose is in Wild Rose, WI.
- Near Minneapolis: Getaway Kettle River is in Willow River, MN.
- Near Pittsburgh and Cleveland: Getaway Beaver Creek is in Lisbon, OH.
- Near St. Louis: Getaway St. Francois is in Bloomsdale, MO.
- Near Atlanta: Getaway Chattahoochee is in Suches, GA. Getaway Coosa River is in Childersburg, AL.
- Near Charlotte and Raleigh: Getaway Asheboro is in Asheboro, NC.
- Near Greenville: Getaway Lake Hartwell is in Seneca, SC.
- Near Nashville: Getaway Dale Hollow is in Moss, TN.
- Near New Orleans: Getaway Homochitto is in Meadville, MS.
- Near Orlando: Getaway Gilchrist Springs is in High Springs, FL.
- Near Boston: Getaway Blake Brook is in Epsom, NH. Getaway Machimoodus is in Moodus, CT.
- Near New York: Getaway Eastern Catskills is in Catskill, NY. Getaway Western Catskills is in Roscoe, NY. Getaway Machimoodus is in Moodus, CT.
- Near Washington, DC: Getaway Shenandoah North is in Basye, VA. Getaway Shenandoah is in Stanardsville, VA.
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