Best Retreat Centers in New York

A Guide to the Best and Most Unique Retreat Centers in New York

Finding a retreat center that is perfectly suited to the needs of you and your group can be a real challenge. There are so many factors to consider when looking for the perfect venue, such as catering, activities, accommodation, location, and so on. For this reason, our team has compiled a list of 7 of the most unique, picturesque, fun-filled, or simply the most relaxing retreat centers they could find in the great state of New York.

Each of the venues in this list is totally unique compared to the others and is certainly not the type of place most people get to take advantage of all the time. So no matter what type of event you are planning for, be it a wedding, a high-school group, family reunion, corporate getaway, birthday party, or just a chance to switch off and relax in nature, we hope that you’ll find ideas and inspiration from the venues we have shared below.

Rent an entire summer camp - Camp Schodack

What the Venue Says…

“Treat your friends, family or colleagues to a weekend of swimming, campfires, and pool parties. With tons of field sports and traditional camp fun like archery and go-carting, it’s sure to be a weekend to remember.

Having your own 100+ acre private resort for the weekend not only makes a great venue but also gives your guests a chance to meet each other and spend some quality time with everyone there.

By holding their event at Camp Schodack, our guests have been able to make their dream events come true. Whether it is a wedding, corporate retreat, or a school group, an event that would normally cost significantly more at a traditional hotel lasts longer and involves so much more.”

Find out more: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/large-group-events

Kick back and enjoy a spa - Camp Schodack

What the Venue Says…

“The 12,000-square-foot Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck facility features 14 treatment rooms with fireplaces and private sound systems, a co-ed resting area complete with meditation rock, an Aqua Terrace, an outdoor oasis with a fireplace, bar, and a hot thermal pool. The European-style menu includes anti-aging facials, soothing massages, restorative body treatments, and hand and foot therapies. 

The 49-room resort has all the modern comforts, including French-style soaking tubs, European-tiled walk-in showers, and fireplaces that inspire you to bask in their glow. Capitalizing on the Hudson Valley’s lauded agricultural heritage, the resort’s restaurant—Willow by Charlie Palmer—provides yet another option to indulge thanks to its progressive American cuisine, which relies on seasonal produce from multi-generational farms. As the third addition to the Mirbeau portfolio, the property helps you leave the world behind.”

Find out more: https://www.rhinebeck.mirbeau.com/

SWITCH OFF AND RECONNECT - SPRINGWATER CENTER

What the Venue Says…

“Located an hour south of Rochester, New York, Springwater Center offers silent meditation retreats and year-round guest visits in a beautiful and spacious facility on 212 acres of country land with streams, meadows, forests, a pond, and miles of walking trails.

There are no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The essence of retreat at Springwater is being together in the simplicity and openness of silent awareness. Attending moment-to-moment to what is happening within and without, in a spirit of wonder, curiosity, and discovery.”

Find out more: https://www.springwatercenter.org/

EMBARK ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY - SHALOM MOUNTAIN

What the Venue Says…

“For more than 40 years, people from all walks of life have been coming to Shalom Mountain and experiencing transformation and healing in their journey of self-discovery. Many people are searching for a new direction in life or to deepen their spiritual journeys. People in partnered relationship come to find new paths in loving each other, with a desire to be fully alive in their relationships. Some come to heal old wounds that they have carried for too long and now want to lay down. Others arrive here because they need to grieve their losses and know joy once again.

A Shalom Retreat® is a place where you can know yourself as whole, complete and lovable—an embodied, emotional, spiritual being. We celebrate the body’s wisdom and its gifts. You can learn to unblock the stuck places and open your heart once again. The retreat takes place within a circle of people, supported by intentional loving, where you can experience a focused time for your own individual work.”

Find out more: https://www.shalommountain.com/shalom-retreats

Stay at an old lodge & speakeasy - Lake clear lodge

What the Venue Says…

“25-acres of meandering spaces secluded artisan lodgings amid playful "Healing Woods" with serene beach and clear waters. Naturally luxurious with four generations of authenticity. Where simmering stocks with nourishing foods from the heart continue in a family-built 1886 Main Lodge with Stagecoach dining room and 1920s Speakeasy. A destination of magical experiences where traveling is equal parts rejuvenation and discovery for adventurers, romantics, and families.

Our strategic location between Saranac Lake/Lake Placid and Tupper Lake makes it effortless to explore some of the Adirondack's best activities. Within a short drive, you can visit The Wild Center, a historic downtown, the Olympic Village, and so much more. Let us be your Adirondack Guide.”

Find out more: https://www.lakeclearlodge.com/

Visit a classic homestead - The Y at Watson woods

What the Venue Says…

“Located in the rolling hills of Painted Post, New York, The Y at Watson Woods is proud to be serving the community. We are excited to share that we have expanded on our partnership of five decades with the YMCA. Our property is now The Y at Watson Woods.

While our name may have changed, our mission will not. We will continue to serve as the host site of YMCA Camp Corning’s Day Camp, as well as a place for longtime guests of the retreat and conference center to hold events for spiritual reflection. Planning is underway to include family and overnight experiences, along with unique group gatherings, weddings and conferences.”

Find out more: http://www.watsonhomestead.com/

Stay in a Mountain Top Castle - Mohonk Mountain House

What the Venue Says…

‘Do you ever feel like you need a vacation after your vacation? Do you get overwhelmed from planning and wrangling the details? When you choose Mohonk, we take care of it all. Down to every last detail.

When you’re here, the only thing you need to focus on is relaxing and exploring our mountaintop. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, wellness enthusiast, history buff, or a foodie, there’s something here for everyone.

At Mohonk, everything you need for an unforgettable Hudson Valley getaway is at your fingertips. With so much included in your overnight rate, spend more time making memories than planning for them.”

Find out more: https://www.mohonk.com/

Best Group Retreat Locations Near Albany

Check Out The Best Group Retreat Locations Near Albany, NY

Searching for a great group retreat location can be a real challenge. That is why we have put together a list of 5 of the best available in the Capital Region. Below you will find venues that are all unique in what they offer, but they are all venues that know how to host a great event, no matter what you are looking for.

So if you want to go glamping for a weekend, hire an entire summer camp to yourselves, stay in a spacious country lodge, or relax and kick back in a spa, you will find something in our list below that will tick those boxes.

We hope that no matter what you are looking for, you will find ideas and inspiration from the venues below to help you with your search for the perfect retreat center for your group.

Camp Schodack / Berkshire Retreat Center

Camp Schodack is a beautiful countryside venue in Nassau, New York. This retreat was founded in 1957 and has been family owned and operated for four generations. It’s rich history and beautiful landscape make Camp Schodack a perfect venue for groups looking for privacy and plenty of activities for their group.

There are over 40 acres of open fields and 60 acres of private forest for you to plan your retreat, and spacious indoor venue space for anyone needing additional space. No matter what your plans may be, Camp Schodack will make it spectacular. This secluded getaway offers spacious open fields as well as wooded trails for a nature-seeking guests. The venue also offers an outdoor amphitheater with seating for up to 500 guests as well as dining facilities with thew same capacity.

Find out more: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

Emerson Resort & Spa

Designed with the splendor of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley in mind, open spaces and oversized windows expose stunning views and bring the beauty of the outside in. Enjoy spacious accommodations in the contemporary Inn or Adirondack-style Lodge, nature-inspired treatments at our award-winning spa, our signature restaurant, Woodnotes Grille, The Shops at Emerson, and the not-to-be-missed World’s Largest Kaleidoscope. Skiing, hiking, biking, tubing, fishing and outdoor concerts are just a few of the numerous nearby activities. Or, explore the eclectic and historical towns of Phoenicia, Woodstock and Saugerties. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Catskills.

Find out more: https://emersonresort.com/

Handsome Hollow

This silvery-grey fox is 240 years old and once a working dairy barn. Not only will you have 4000 sq. ft of sweet space to soiree, a restored 18th century farmhouse to hang your hat in but Handsome Hollow sits on 93 acres of pristine wilderness. Explore endless trails, creeks, hemlock groves, maple forests, blueberry fields, springs, an old bluestone quarry and Big Fork Mountain.

Handsome Hollow is a truly rare place. The stunning, 93-acre property with fields, meadows, forests and mountain views, is the location of a restored 18th century barn. Also on the property, is a chic, stylishly designed, 120-year old farmhouse. Handsome Hollow is an idyllic, unforgettable wedding destination in the Catskills.

Find out more: http://www.handsomehollow.com/

Spillian

We welcome groups of friends, colleagues, family members for an all-inclusive weekend or a week at Spillian. Our chef and staff are on hand to make your stay utterly effortless! Relax, challenge yourselves and your imaginations, and revel in being together. Whether your dream is slow-paced porch-sitting punctuated with feasting and silly games in the library or an expansive weekend exploring the Catskills or a project together, Spillian embraces its visitors as family. Remarkable things happen at these gatherings!

We can host up to 18 overnight guests onsite, and can accommodate more daytime guests who are staying elsewhere for meals and any activities you’re dreaming. (We’re happy, by the way, to help you find additional lodging.)

And we offer virtually limitless choices  of special experiences, from spa services to guided adventures throughout the Catskills, informal workshops and cooking classes, wine and spirit tastings, and more, or simply the chance to read that great book you’ve been wanting to get to as you sit in front of the fire.

Find out more: https://spillian.com/

The Arnold House

If you are looking for a rustic country backdrop but don't want to compromise on great local food for your private event, The Arnold House on Shandelee may be just what you are looking for! We offer weddings & events year-round and can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests. Located 2 hours north of New York City in the western Catskills, the Arnold House is a country retreat set on seven acres and nestled into the forest of Shandelee Mountain.

We specialize in rustic barn and outdoor weddings on our beautiful grounds, including ceremonies in our meadows and near our pond, but also offer cozy cold weather affairs with our roaring wood stoves and comfortable indoor seating. These events can be held in our Tavern, 1960’s Dining Room, Sun Room, BBQ Barn or outside in the meadows. Our goal is to work with each individual party to make sure we customize to taste, style and budget.  

Find out more: http://www.thearnoldhouse.com/weddings

5 Reasons To Plan A Company Retreat

5 Great Reasons To Book A Company Retreat

Organizing a company retreat can be a challenging task. It takes a lot of planning to take your entire team, department or company away from the office together.

Once you have scheduled the time and got your team excited for the idea, the benefits will be seen for weeks, months and even years after you have packed up and returned to the office.

Below we have listed 5 reasons why you should seriously think about booking a retreat for your company. We hope that you find ideas below and are inspired to take the first step toward holding your own.

Get Out Of The Office!

It may sound obvious, but your employees love being out of the office. Whether it is a site visit, a trip to the coffee shop down the road or any excuse to be away from their desks, everyone loves the opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy a bit of fresh air..

By scheduling a few days or perhaps even longer, you are letting your employees know that you recognize that this ‘break from the office’ is important and you are making it a a focus within your company to participate in a break together.

Bond With Colleagues

Spending time with colleagues outside of meetings and boardrooms may not sound like everyone’s first choice of social activity, yet we are always amazed by the bonds that are formed once people are put in situations that are designed to get people working together as a team.

It can be simple challenges and puzzles or perhaps something energized and competitive. The benefits of having your colleagues split up and worknig with people that they do not normally work with can have the double benefit of bringing your team closer together, as well as encouraging a more cohesive workforce. Not to mention that it is fun to play games!

Get Inspired

Being on a company retreat doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to get any work done. Many teams we work with find that once they set their staff a specific task or share in discussions about projects that are coming up, the ideas just keep flowing. Changing the environment we are in, changes the way we think and opens us up to new ideas and chains of thought.

Mix up your schedule so that it includes some downtime where your employees can relax by the pool or take the opportunity to go hiking, then book in time to have group discussions or brainstorming sessions to make sure that there is a focus on work and shared projects. After that you can switch to a team activity to make sure that people are able to socialize and stay active.

Have A Digital Detox

The big distraction points of many meetings and office environments are the temptations to
”just check one more email” or scroll through social media. It takes up time, slows productivity and offers very little in the way of substance to either the employee or the employer.

By having your team together on a retreat means that you can suggest that everyone leaves their phones and devices in the cabins. This means that everyone can be focused on the task at hand, whatever that may be. This increased attention can have amazing benefits over the weekend and also beyond the retreat.

Relax and Recharge

It is as simple as that. By getting out of the office and into the great outdoors, our brains and bodies react differently to their new surroundings. There are hundreds of articles and journal entries out there that can tell you the benefits of time spent in nature and the good it does for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Whether you want your retreat to be about preparing your team for a specific project you have coming up, a chance to get out of the office and relax and bond together, or simply as a way to let off steam and reward your team for their hard work, the benefits of a company retreat far outweigh the effort that goes into planning it!

__________

Camp Schodack is set on 400 acres of privately owned playing fields and surrounded by 60 acres or private woodlands. We have dining and accommodation for up to 500 guests and a whole host of specialist and non-specialist activities available to our guests, in addition to a highly skilled and experienced events team that will help create the perfect timetable and schedule for any style of group event. Take our exclusive use offer r share the site with another company. Whatever your plans, we are ready to help you have an incredible experience away from the office.

Click below to find out more about us and find out whether we may be the perfect place for your next event.

Best Conference Centers in Albany

Albany’s Best Conference Centers

We have put together a list of 5 of the best conference centers and retreat venues in the Albany area. The Capital Region is fortunate to have many incredible venues for groups of all sizes, no matter what the occasion. We have scoured the internet to find 5 venues that stand apart from the others because of their facilities, their location or both. They are all totally unique and have years of experience delivering top quality events and experiences.

Whether you are planning a high school retreat, corporate getaway or a team-building weekend, we hope that you will take inspiration from the locations below and get ideas about how to plan your next event.

Hire An Entire Summer Camp - Camp Schodack

Camp Schodack is a beautiful countryside venue in Nassau, New York. This retreat was founded in 1957 and has been family owned and operated for four generations. It’s rich history and beautiful landscape make Camp Schodack a perfect venue for couples looking for privacy and elegance on their wedding day. There are over 40 acres of open fields and 60 acres of private forest for you to take advantage of. This secluded getaway offers spacious open fields as well as wooded trails to help you escape the noise of the city. The retreat also offers an outdoor amphitheater with seating for up to 500 guests.

Catering with Camp Schodack offers buffet options, barbecue, food carts, and plated meals for every style wedding. Overnight accommodations are also available through Camp Schodack. You can host your retreat at Camp Schodack, and celebrate the whole weekend through in their luxury cabins for the whole family. The retreat can accommodate up to 500 guests in a mix of family and couple’s cabins. All cabins have master bathrooms and showers. If you choose to stay for the weekend at Camp Schodack, you and your guests will have access to sports facilities and activities. The retreat as multiple heated swimming pools, sports courts and fields, a go-kart track, and private hiking trails to enjoy.

Find out more: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

Pick The Performing Arts Center - The Egg

“The Egg” itself is owned by the State of New York and managed by the not-for-profit Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. This entity was established to present quality performances, accessible to all citizens of New York State, highlighting the unique and extraordinary artists from New York State, across the country, and around the globe. Through partnerships and collaborations, the Corporation presents performances, spotlights emerging artists, fosters relationships with resident companies, and enhances activities in cultural and arts education.

The theatres and lounges at The Egg are available to rent for performances and related activities as well as receptions, educational and corporate events. Pick between a number of different theaters and conference rooms that you can make use of, whether it is fifteen comfortable tiered seating rows wrap around a dual hydraulic lift stage in the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre, or the more intimate Lewis A. Swyer Theatre which seats a maximum of 450 in only nine rows, including six seats in the special needs section. Every seat offers exceptional sightlines and comfort, and the small stage is perfect for all performance types. There are also lounges, perfect for smaller gatherings and cocktail parties

Find out more: http://www.theegg.org/

Albany’s Best Hotel - The Desmond

If you are planning meetings or a conference in the Albany area, The Desmond offers over 28,000 square feet of flexible space throughout our facility for groups of all sizes. Hold a meeting for 10 in one of our Executive Meeting Suites, conference with thousands in our Town Hall amphitheater, or present your next business proposal in High Street Conference Center. Our indoor courtyards are the perfect location for trade shows and exhibits, with 30′ and 36′ high ceilings and large atrium skylights in an open setting with natural light.

Our unique Albany hotel features 322 non-smoking guest room and suite options, including king-size four-poster beds, spiral staircase duplexes, suites with private entrances and patios, and ADA accessible rooms.  We combine rich Americana design and charm with modern amenities for the seasoned business traveler.  Modeled after a colonial village square, our two indoor courtyards feature 30′ and 36′ high ceilings with large atrium skylights, mock storefronts, a koi pond, beautiful fountains, and guest room balconies that overlook year-round landscaping.  Exceptional dining is available in Simpson’s restaurant and in our English pub The Tavern.

Find out more: https://www.desmondhotelsalbany.com/

Stay In Town - The Capital Center

Located in the heart of downtown Albany, the Albany Capital Center is within walking distance of restaurants, hotels, shops, art galleries, night clubs, museums and more! Operated by ASM Global, the Albany Capital Center is a beautiful glass structure that can accommodate 10 to 5,000 people. Housing 22,500 square feet of ballroom/exhibit space, 6 meeting rooms with 9,200 square feet of space, and 13,500 square feet of pre-function space. The Albany Capital Center provides all of the top-notch amenities needed for your successful meeting or event. 

The Albany Capital Center is directly connected to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, The Egg Performing Arts Center, and the Times Union Center arena via an enclosed walkway. Together, these spaces create the Capital Complex, the largest meeting space in Upstate New York at more than 159,000 square feet.

Find out more: http://albanycapitalcenter.com/

Escape To The Countryside - Menla Center

With its magical valley setting deep in the Catskills and just two hours from NYC, Menla is uniquely suited to host your group retreat or conference. Able to host residential groups of up to 108 individuals across a wide range of comfortable accommodations from deluxe private rooms to small group cabins, our spacious 325-acre facility also offers supplemental dorm-style options & numerous camping sites. Enjoy delicious healthy cuisine and the caring support you need from our production team.

Facilities include the biggest conference space in the Catskills, spacious yoga studio, meditation sanctuary, a world-class destination spa, hiking trails, swimming pool, fitness room, tennis courts, fire pits, and sweat lodge. Menla’s tailored nature experiences, private classes, and optional retreat add-ons let you add a new dimension to your offerings by combining elements that are just the right fit for your group retreat. Set off on a range of guided treks and learn about our flora & fauna, add a meditation, yoga or sound healing session lead by local experts, or experience the magic of a traditional sweat lodge or a bonfire beneath the stars.

Find out more: https://menla.us/