The 15 best Airbnbs in the Catskills for a picture book retreat

Looking for the perfect rustic retreat? This converted barn tucked away by the Hudson River in Germantown is full of nobbly beamed ceilings, crooked old oak floors, cathedral windows and pretty stained glass, giving the place an air of homespun coziness. But, the real wow factor comes from the mix of Modernist design features with boucle furnishings, leather armchairs, modern art, and sculptural dried flower arrangements peppering the space. There are also plenty of added creature comforts to make your stay as luxe as possible including an outdoor pool surrounded by woodland, a sauna, and a huge garden with a fire pit and hammocks in the trees. It’s the perfect base to relax in after exploring the hiking trails and trout fishing nearby.

Rooms? Three bedrooms. Sleeps up to 11. 
The mood? A homely rustic retreat in the countryside with irresistible design touches. 
Location perks? Within walking distance to of Germantown’s shops and restaurants with easy access to the Hudson River for boating, fishing, and catching spectacular sunsets behind the Catskill Mountains.
Budget range? On the more expensive side, but affordable for a larger group. 

Finally, something worth clogging up your buddies' Insta feeds: a geodome in the middle of the forest. Whaaat? Yeah, seriously. Gaze out onto trees through the latticed framework of your dome and truly feel at one with nature, but, you know, with all the modern comforts of home. Because you totally deserve all the modern comforts of home, right? Course you do. There's only one catch, you'll need to bring your own bed, but that's where the camping vibes end and the glamping begins. Fancy a soak in a full-size claw-foot bathtub? You got it! How about getting your cook on in the fully stocked outdoor kitchen after a trip to the nearby farmers' market? Consider it done! There's also a load of adorable animals to visit as the dome is located within farmland. Plus there's a swimming pond for dogs, daily yoga sessions, a recording studio, and – most importantly – high-speed internet. What even is this place? Doesn't matter. Just go.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps 16 or more (be sure to bring your own air bed). 
The mood? A futuristic glamping adventure upstate.
Location perks? Who wouldn't fancy cuddling up to the alpacas, sheep and goats? Especially when you're surrounded by 12-acre farmland. 
Budget range? An unforgettable, affordable weekend for you and your pals. 
Time Out tip: Not an early riser? Bring an eye mask if you're keen to sleep through the sunrise.

The Hudson Lookout is a designer watchtower with stunning vistas overlooking the mountains. Just two hours away from New York City and a short distance from the Hudson Valley, this unique Airbnb is a great escape from the city for a weekend of luxury. The layout is inverted – with the living space and kitchen on the top floor – boasting dramatic views of the Berkshire Mountains. The watchtower comes fully equipped so all you need to do is rock up with an overnight bag and get your weekend started. Stat. 

Rooms? Two bedrooms. Sleeps four guests. 
The mood? Like a sleek black domino in the woods – it's the kind of picturesque that makes your jaw drop.
Location perks? Get a load of gorgeous mountain views and blood-orange sunsets from the roof deck. 
Budget range? This seriously cool and affordable escape for four is like none other. 

Addicted to Tiny House Hunters but not quite willing to commit to quarters even more cramped than your apartment? Rent out this charming teeny pad, called "The Flat" instead. But look, don't fret too much – even with the small footprint, you’ll never feel claustrophobic: the house actually sleeps up to four guests and sits on 28 rolling acres. Bonus: they’re so dog-friendly, there’s even a canine park on-site. We'll see you there friends, four-legged and bipedals. 

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps up to four guests. Not just for humans – pooches are welcome too.
The mood? Capsule living meets the great outdoors. It's pretty hard to top that. 
Location perks? Crank the tranquillity up a notch by wandering down to the nearby waterfall. That's not all, there's a seasonal heated pool too. 
Budget range? A little less shy on the price front, but when you're surrounded by this much natural beauty, it's forgivable. 

Pretend you're the lord of your own upstate lodge at this 7,500-square-foot house set on five acres of picture-perfect wilderness. Only two hours from New York City, this 14-bedroom home offers endless opportunities for fun and relaxation: think pool tables, a sound system, a huge bar area, two hot tubs, and of course, an enormous heated inground pool. Keen to get the party going? Host drinks on the pool deck overlooking the forest just in time for sunset. Let's go.

Rooms? 14 rooms. Sleeps 16 or more. 
The mood? A cosy weekend featuring mesmerizing sunsets and hot cocoa (with giant marshmallows, obviously).
Location perks? Subway shmubway. This rental is nestled in the Catskill Mountains, two hours outside NYC.  
Budget range? A budget-friendly luxury holiday rental roomy enough for a family trip upstate or a bachelor/bachelorette weekend.  

In case you missed the memo, the most desirable place to spend your vacation is currently in a treehouse. No, not the rough and ready ones you tried to build as a kid, but the pristine glamping-style equivalent of a home in the skies. This stylish beauty in the Catskills combines clean-lined, geometric interiors with precisely the kind of cozy feeling you want when returning home after a hike. The cherry on top? That swimmable pond you can see just outside the window. This Airbnb sleeps two guests in a king-sized bed up in the loft space, oooh romantic. There's no cell service or Wi-Fi, so it's the ideal place to really unplug and relax. Or have a soak in the hot tub outside, right under the trees and stars. 

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two guests. 
The mood? We call this the hipster Eden for two – no signal, just nature's tweets and simple pleasures.
Location perks? Nestled in 34 acres of lush forestland for a picturesque couples retreat. 
Budget range? A moderately-priced getaway - ideal for two nights. 
Time Out tip: If you're not much of a bookworm, no sweat.  Grab a mini projector, download a bunch of movies and watch them under the stars.

No property better exemplifies rustic luxury than this massive converted barn, with room for up to 14 guests. We're thinking big group exodus from the city, maybe? Or hell, have the whole place to yourself. That sounds dreamy, right? Anyhoo, the double-height living room, complete with a stone fireplace and exposed wood beams looks like it’s been ripped from the pages of Architectural Digest. The outdoor space is just as beautiful and features a pond, stone fire pit, and even an Airstream trailer for overflow guests. Dreamy indeed.

Rooms? Six bedrooms. Sleeps 14 guests. 
The mood? Pov: You're on the set of a Wes Anderson movie – yes it's as cosy as it looks.
Location perks? Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley with great travel links to New York Grand Central.
Budget range? If rustic luxury is what you like, this one's for you. If you want to make it cheaper, your best bet is to go large or go home on this one. 

Tiny but with a whole lotta heart! This tiny home Airbnb in the Catskills is the perfect place to retreat for a tranquil trip. Go off-grid without actually being off-grid, located close to the charming village of Saugerties and Woodstock (not the infamous music festival). The snug but ever-so-comfy Queen-sized bed is tucked away and offers stunning views of the Catskill mountains right from the comfort of your duvet – sightseeing without leaving the bed? Yes, please! You'll have a kitchenette with a mini electric cooktop, ideal for your other half to cook pancakes on and take out to you on the outside decking, breakfast served with a view. 

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two. 
The mood? A rinky-dink white-clad haven perched beneath the trees = one big, little adventure for two. 
Location perks? It's the perfect off-the-grid location with views of Blue Mountain – just a stone's throw from Saugerties where you'll find the woodsy Lighthouse trail. 
Budget range? The ultimate secret escape for two at affordable rates. 
Time Out tip: This tiny home can be booked along with the main house on-site for a larger group getaway. Win-win, right? 

Here comes your new obsession: an ecologically-friendly architect’s vision of a home. Situated within thirty stunning acres of preserved woodland, this truly unique dwelling looks a little like it landed from space (in a good way). Fluidity is key to the design mission here. While there are technically ‘no bedrooms’, the property is suitable for four people living within a space that seems to naturally partition itself into different living quarters. It’s geothermically-heated and has a wood stove for which the hosts provide ample fuel. Stay here and you’ll sleep on Japanese futons which, incidentally, are excellent for your back and bones after hard day’s hiking (or dining in Hudson Valley’s best eateries).

Rooms? Technically ‘none’. Sleeps four.
The mood? Rural living for the true sophisticate.
Location perks: Both totally excluded and within easy driving distance of the best cultural and culinary perks of the Hudson Valley.
Budget range? Cheaper than you’d think, given the publicity this place has generated.

To really retreat into nature in style, book into this gorgeous, stone and clapboard home which has been in the owner Kate's family for 10 whole generations. The location offers the best of both worlds: close proximity to the bustling college town of New Paltz but nestled near the jaw-dropping Shawangunk Ridge, which is filled with trails for biking and hiking. Inside the house, whitewashed brick walls and exposed wood beams strike the perfect balance of old and new. There are plenty of cute nooks to relax in.

Rooms? Two bedrooms. Sleeps up to four guests. 
The mood? Little English cottage vibes with a modern twist – a cheery option for those folks who have a soft spot for all things cozy and antique. 
Location perks? Take advantage of the 23-mile trail on your doorstep, or visit an apple orchard or two. 
Budget range? Price-wise, it's sitting pretty in the mid-ranges. Not too shabby for a luxurious weekend stay for two.

This is what we always imagined a Catskills vacation would look and feel like: a mega-sized, light-filled lodge set in 3.5 acres of its own land. Tear your eyes away from the gorgeous views greeting you from each side of the property and enjoy, just for a moment, the cosy-as-hell fireplace, friendship-making (or -breaking) pool and air hockey tables, and those impressively high ceilings. This whole place has got us dreaming of plaid shirts, solid hiking boots, and smores by the open fire. City? What city?

Rooms? Four bedrooms. Sleeps up 10 guests. 
The mood? Luxury lodgings, full of distinctive charm – we dig those high ceilings and giant windows.
Location perks? Three blissful acres, just five minutes from downtown Catskill for funky boutiques, delicious food spots, and craft beer. 
Budget range? An exclusive upstate getaway for a family vacation. Plus, four bathrooms means no arguing.

One glance at this secluded A-frame cabin and we were thinking one thing and one thing only: Christmas. The gingerbread vibes are real when you consider the extra-large wood burner, the cosier-than-thou sleeping quarters and the unspoilt woodland views (not to mention that the entire green-painted triangular outside basically looks like a liveable Christmas tree). However, this hidden gem of a property – which boasts a 30ft waterfall to gawp at just minutes from your door – is actually a bit of a hit to stay at any time of year. There are plenty of outdoorsy/sportsy options available nearby but we also like the option of kicking off our shoes, putting an OOO on the email and embracing the wild peacefulness. Go on, do nothing – we dare you.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps up to four.
The mood? Like an iced gingerbread cookie brought to life.
Location perks? Head into Margaretville for brunch at Café Marguerite or evening cocktails.
Budget range? A little steeper than some but it sure is gorgeous.

For a romantic Catskills hiking trip, look no further than this lovingly converted 20-foot shipping container set on a 20-acre plot on the eastern edge of the Catskills Mountains. Here, industrial-chic meets hygge, with a Swedish-made wood stove that keeps the space warm even in the deepest winter. Relax under the stars in the hot tub or the hammock and venture 300 feet away to a 30-foot waterfall. Your host, Porter, ensures that the cabin is cleaned immaculately after every stay using CDC standards.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two. 
The mood? Soulful solitude vibes – It Kind of looks like a giant cassette tape tossed out in the woods. It truly doesn't get any more hipster than that. 
Location perks? Looking for an even more romantic spot? The nearby lighthouse and Kaaterskill Falls are a must-see.
Budget range? We like a cheap romantic escape. This one gets extra points for having a record player.

If you're looking for a romantic getaway in the heart of the forest, this rustic Airbnb in the Catskills is the one. Sleeping four guests in two bedrooms, you can double-date or go with friends for the ultimate cozy stay. Recharge and relax with the gorgeous views and record player, or head outdoors to enjoy a drink by the firepit. There's also a fully-equipped kitchen for you to cook to your heart's content.

Rooms? Two bedrooms. Sleeps four guests. 
The mood? Dreamy little sanctuary in the woods. Is anyone else feeling cozy just by looking at it?  
Location perks? Mountain views, starry nights, hiking trails, and skiing in the winter, we could go on...
Budget range? This homey retreat for two sits in the mid-high ranges. But then again it is a rare find.

If Joanna Gaines is your spirit animal, this charming spot is for you (yes, there’s shiplap). Formerly part of Camp Onteora, a girls’ camp from the 1920s, the house has been renovated by owners Kevin and Daniel, an architect and designer, respectively. This glorious two-story Catskills Airbnb sleeps up to five guests in three bedrooms, making it perfect for a family trip away or for a gang of friends. It features a fully-equipped kitchen, and a woodburning fireplace for cozy vibes and marshmallow toasting (or burning, in our case). The simple but modern decor, and exposed brick, adds to the light and airy feel, but still feels remote due to the quiet and wooded surrounding area. 

Rooms? Three bedrooms. sleeps up to five guests. Pets welcome. 
The mood? Classic farmhouse vibes. This place is real bright and cozy home away from home. 
Location perks? Soak in the beautiful natural surroundings.
Budget range? Affordably priced for the perfect Airbnb stay for a family vacation or Friendsgiving!
Time Out tip: Check out the local favorite, Swoon Kitchenbar for country-side-inspired dishes whipped up by some of New York's finest.