T+L’s Hotel Review of Mohonk Mountain House in New York

Perched along the shores of glacial Mohonk Lake in New York’s Hudson Valley, Mohonk Mountain House has captivated visitors with its extraordinary natural surroundings. But the Victorian-style castle hotel, with its red-gable roofs, whimsical turrets, and more than 100 fireplaces, has, for decades, drawn whodunnit enthusiasts to its signature Murder Mystery Weekends.

The resort pioneered the offering in 1976 to attract guests during the offseason. The idea proved so popular that Mohonk’s Murder Mystery Weekends is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. The resort has teamed up with Murder Cafe, a performance group founded by husband-wife duo Frank and Kristen Marquette in Las Vegas. The troupe performs a new show each year for the annual event, which will take place from February 27 to March 1. The three-hour performance is put on across three days in the historic Parlor, a private events space with lake views, where participants can mingle with characters and try to solve the case.

On a recent visit, I spent an evening watching a “teaser” murder mystery unfold, a condensed version of Murder Cafe’s 2024 performance “Talked to Death.” In it, a late-night talk show host, who is facing possible cancellation, collapses and dies on air, plunging the production into chaos. The dramatic presentation was full of twists and turns, with flamboyant characters, audience members storming the stage, and unexpected revelations.

For this year’s jubilee, Murder Cafe will be performing “Murder by the Book,” a show about mystery writers modeled after real-life authors like Agatha Christie. The writers are headed to Mohonk for a workshop, which will be rudely interrupted by, of course, a murder (or two) and subsequent chaos.

Other special events throughout the year include Hiker’s Holiday, Wine Weekends, and the annual Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition. But even on a regular weekend, there’s plenty on offer here. The list of daily activities is so diverse that I had a hard time deciding between concurrent options such as archery, scavenger hunts, and history tours. Mohonk has every expected resort amenity, too: a heated indoor pool, a fitness center with classes, an entire spa wing, a billiards room, stables, gardens, and several lounges and libraries.

Here, my review of Mohonk Mountain House in Upstate New York.

The Rooms 

Much of the resort’s interiors are defined by dark wood paneling, intricately patterned carpeting, vibrant wallpaper, and plenty of seating for admiring the stunning views outside. The guest rooms are no exception. Mohonk has 262 guest rooms and suites, ranging from a cozy standard Classic Room to the 550-square-foot Central Building Tower Suite with two private balconies, a gas fireplace, and a claw-foot soaking tub.

Grove Lodge, a 7,000-square-foot, two-story lodge with six guest rooms, stone fireplaces, and an expansive Great Room, is the perfect option for a family get-together.

I settled in a cozy sixth-floor Victorian Room with a private balcony and a wood-burning fireplace. The space felt inn-like, reminiscent of Mohonk’s 19th-century origins, with an upholstered armchair, vintage light fixtures, and patterned wallpaper. The room wasn’t particularly large or lavish, but it was comfortable and had everything I needed. The highlight was the gorgeous private balcony with two wooden rocking chairs, where I spent time taking in the scenic views of the Catskill Mountains.

Food and Drink

For Mohonk guests, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, and gratuities are included in the nightly rate. I had all of my meals in the Main Dining Room, a historic, airy space that’s elegant without being stuffy. The breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch buffets featured a variety of options, including a smoked salmon bar and an eggs Benedict station, as well as made-to-order tacos, pasta, and poke bowls. Dinner was ordered off a three-course rotating modern American menu. My favorites included honey-miso salmon, poached oysters topped with lemon beurre blanc and white sturgeon caviar, honey-spiced cake with white chocolate ganache, and affogato over vegan dark chocolate coconut gelato.

Other on-site dining options include: Founders, open seasonally, which highlights global cultures; The Granary, where guests can enjoy summer barbecues al fresco; The Carriage Lounge, a cozy, casual space for lighter fare; and the Lake Lounge, which hosts laid-back buffet-style breakfast and afternoon tea, a longstanding tradition at Mohonk. (I left the resort with a new appreciation for cinnamon tea.)

The Spa 

The spa wing at Mohonk spans 30,000 square feet and features an outdoor mineral pool, solarium, steam room, sauna, and various treatment and wellness spaces. Lounge chairs draped in chunky knit blankets look out to lush views, while couches sit in front of a cozy fireplace.

Upon my arrival, I was handed a thick, plush robe and waterproof slippers, then directed to the women’s locker room. I spent some time in the sauna and the steam room, which was pleasantly eucalyptus-scented, before making myself a cup of tea and settling into a chair in the lounge.

I had booked the 20th Anniversary Crystal Serenity Massage, one of two custom treatments celebrating the spa’s anniversary, which incorporated crystals and vibrations from a sound bowl. The massage, during which I fought to stay awake, used vanilla-chamomile aromatherapy oil and hot stones. Afterward, I returned to my lounge chair and herbal tea, pleasantly drowsy and considerably lighter.

The resort’s focus on wellness extends far beyond the spa, though. Guided meditations and yoga classes are offered daily to all guests, and several Wellness Week events are held throughout the year. Additionally, every day, I returned to my room to find chocolates and a mindfulness quote from Dr. Nina Smiley, Mohonk’s director of mindfulness programming, on my bed.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Mohonk Mountain House has accessible entrances, routes, and dining rooms, as well as ADA-compliant guest rooms. Though the building is over a century old, its hallways and doorways are wide, and considerable renovations have been made over the years, including the installation of elevators. Service animals are welcome.

How to Book

Mohonk Mountain House is not part of any points-based loyalty program. However, the resort offers special packages and deals on its website.

All-inclusive nightly rates at Mohonk Mountain House start from $1,245.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.