Welcome to the Mohonk Mountain House Blog

The Pioneer Woman: 20+ Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families That Make Vacation Planning a Breeze

Mohonk Named One of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Family Vacations In a recent article, The Pioneer Woman featured Mohonk Mountain House as one of the best family-friendly, all-inclusive

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January 17, 2025

Yahoo: 6 Perfect Resorts Across America To Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Mohonk Named the Perfect New York Resort to Get into the Holiday Spirit Yahoo recently highlighted Mohonk Mountain House as one of the top resorts across America to visit during

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December 19, 2024

Plan Your Winter Weekend Getaway From NYC at Our New Paltz Resort

Mohonk Mountain House is a dreamy winter retreat 90 miles from New York City, offering the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains, this historic Victorian

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December 19, 2024

Cozy Up This Season with a Romantic Winter Getaway in Upstate New York at Mohonk

Winter transforms the Hudson Valley into a picturesque escape ideal for romance and relaxation, and Mohonk Mountain House offers an unmatched experience for couples. Our historic resort is perched along

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November 11, 2024

Yahoo Life: When is the first day of fall? Get set for the official start of pumpkin spice season

Experience Beauty Like no Other at Mohonk Mountain House in the Fall Fall officially begins with the autumnal equinox, which falls on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 8:44 a.m. This

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November 8, 2024

Discover the Magic of Mohonk in December: Top 5 Reasons to Visit

The holiday season is a special time, and there’s no better place to experience its magic than at Mohonk Mountain House. From enchanting decorations to outdoor adventures, here are five

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November 13, 2023

The Best Time to Visit Our All-Inclusive Resort in New York State

Guests often ask us “When is the best time to visit?” Since our resort is open year-round and has countless activities in any season, it may seem hard to pinpoint

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March 24, 2023

Voices from the Archives – Episode #8

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #8: A Wider View: The Smileys’ world travels Part II As wonderful as the pictures were in my imagination after

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March 20, 2023

Voices from the Archives – Episode #7

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #7: A Wider View: The Smileys’ world travels – Part I Daniel Smiley was only 25 years old when his

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February 13, 2023

Voices from the Archives – Episode #6

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #6: Sarah Smiley’s Journey South The Sister of Mohonk’s Founder: A portrait in courage As a child wandering the halls of

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July 5, 2022

Voices from the Archives – Episode #5

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #5: Testimonial Gateway Quaker testimony is best understood as the public witness of an inward faith of both individual and

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December 23, 2021

Voices from the Archives – Episode #4

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #4: Passing the Baton 2021 will be forever etched in my mind, not only because of our country’s climb out

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August 4, 2021

Get your skin in SHAPE this summer

By Jennifer Critelli Lead Aesthetician | The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House Whether you’re out on the trails, enjoying some barbecue, or just relaxing, summer means getting outdoors. But no

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June 23, 2021

Voices from the Archives – Episode #3

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #3: Eliza and Effie—Sisters in Grief and Love In order to understand the special relationship between Eliza and Effie Smiley,

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May 11, 2021

Voices from the Archives – Episode #2

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #2: Garden Musings In a private office on the ground floor of Mohonk Mountain House live grand old bookshelves lined

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March 9, 2021

Voices from the Archives – Episode #1

By Louisa Finn, fourth generation Smiley family member Episode #1: “Love controls all things” When I first read one of my Great-Grandmother Effie’s letters in the Mohonk Archive, over

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February 17, 2021

Behind the Scenes of our 5th Annual Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition

One of the best things about the holidays at Mohonk is the Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition. And in a typical year, we have hundreds of guests who visit for the

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December 14, 2020

Pandemic Years

Throwback Thursday—102 Years Ago Today— October 29, 1918

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October 29, 2020

HERstory: The Women of Mohonk

For the past 150 years, our historic resort has been owned and operated by the Smiley family. August 26, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the implementation of the Nineteenth

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August 25, 2020

Mohonk Mountain House Featured in Amazon’s New TV Series

Has anyone seen anything familiar in the trailers for Upload, the new sci-fi comedy TV series from Amazon Prime Video? Our guests have always told us that “Mohonk is heaven,”

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April 30, 2020

Why Foodies Love the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is not only known as a tourist attraction for its beautiful location but also its foodie culture. Visitors who come to the Hudson Valley will not soon

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March 10, 2020

Tour of Tulips

It’s time to welcome spring with a bloom of color! Photographers take out your cameras! Painters bring your easels! And strollers wear your sunhats!

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February 26, 2020

“Have You Heard the Word Is LOVE?”

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House The Beatles posed this question in the 1960s with their song “The Word”. The meaning of love has been parsed

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February 14, 2020

Plan Your Best Family Vacation

Having trouble planning your next family holiday? Everyone has their own view of what the ideal vacation is. Honestly, it can be a pain to get the family together to

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February 7, 2020

Mixology: Chocolate Basil Affogato

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme,

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February 3, 2020

HERstory: Effie Newell Smiley

For the past 150 years, our historic resort has been owned and operated by the Smiley family. 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the constitutional

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January 31, 2020

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

There is a time to laugh. There is a time to relax. There is a time to party and open a bottle of wine… And there is most definitely a

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January 29, 2020

Hot Chocolate Month!

ATTENTION ALL CHOCOLATE ENTHUSIASTS! For the first time ever, Mohonk Mountain House is celebrating this winter season by dedicating the entire month of February to the beloved warm beverage- HOT

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January 15, 2020

Mixology: American Pharaoh

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Celebrate the new year with this month’s winning cocktail! Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the

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January 3, 2020

Mohonk Will Make Your Bill…DISAPPEAR!

This Deal is No Illusion! Mohonk Mountain House is adding an extra bit of magic to our brand new Magic and Mindbenders Weekend! For the first time ever, anyone booked

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December 30, 2019

Mohonk Ranked One of the Best Hotels For the Holidays!

Mohonk has extra reason to celebrate this holiday season. The polls came in and we were named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Hotels for the Holidays! Best wishes and

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December 23, 2019

The Key to Cherishing Winter

The air is crisper, the frost is starting to linger, and everyone is acting as gloomy as the weather. But why? Are we looking at winter all wrong?

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December 13, 2019

Mixology: Bough By the Fireside Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which

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December 6, 2019

The Gift of Experience

We might hear that the “perfect gift” does not exist. We think everyone wants some expensive gift, but in reality what people really want is to experience life and enjoy

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November 7, 2019

Fall in Love with Our Spa Treatments!

With the celebration of our 150th anniversary, we are excited to announce two new spa treatments that will provide the relaxation and wellness of the Mohonk experience since our founding

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October 25, 2019

The Golf Course Takes Shape

Beginnings In 1880, Albert K. Smiley bought 118 acres of land from Cornelius Lucy out at Mountain Rest across the “public road,” as Mountain Rest Road was then called. On

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October 10, 2019

Hidden Histories AR App

With the celebration of Mohonk’s 150th year, our guests are now able to immerse themselves in the history that created this one-of-a-kind castle. The mobile app, Hidden Histories, is an

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September 2, 2019

Mindful Choices

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Life is rarely a straight path. As much as we’d like it to be a process of connecting the

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August 26, 2019

Q&A with Mohonk’s Executive Chef Jim Palmeri

Our menus at Mohonk Mountain House come with a genuine passion for food. Chef Jim Palmeri’s vision for each dish comes alive through the careful preparation of each plate by

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August 9, 2019

Hudson Valley’s Best Ice Cream: Mohonk Mountain Crunch by Jane’s Ice Cream

We are proud to partner with Jane’s Ice Cream, a Hudson Valley-based, family-run creamery to create a signature ice cream flavor for our 150th anniversary, “Mohonk Mountain Crunch”! This flavor

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July 31, 2019

Mindfulness and Love

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Passionate love gets most of our attention, but there is also a love that the Greeks called agape—universal love,

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July 19, 2019

Mixology: My Big Fat Greek Spritzer Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which

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July 10, 2019

Five Activities at Mohonk You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

There’s a reason why Mohonk Mountain House is beloved by so many. Here on the mountaintop, we offer a variety of unique, seasonal activities to make sure your experience is

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July 5, 2019

Mohonk’s Favorite Hudson Valley Partners

Stop by these amazing places to get the most out of your Hudson Valley, NY visit! For 150 years, Mohonk Mountain House has been a beacon of hospitality in the

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June 28, 2019

The Lesser-Known Wonder Weeks at Mohonk Mountain House

Guests often ask us “When is the best time to visit?” It’s a simple answer, really. Most travelers are keenly aware that when they look at travel destinations, there are

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June 19, 2019

Top 4 Activities for Family Reunions

Lauren Donohue, our new Social Sales Manager, provides a handy list of tips for all those who like to hit the ground running.

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June 14, 2019

Mixology: Strawberries from Krakow Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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August 3, 2018

How to Grill the Perfect Backyard Burger

By: Jim Palmeri, Executive Chef, Mohonk Mountain House Grilling is an essential summertime activity. This year, try your hand at making the Perfect Backyard Burger. Enjoy the 4th of July

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July 3, 2018

Mixology: Don’t Call It a Comeback Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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July 3, 2018

5 Ways to Make This Summer Unforgettable

Nestled in 40,000 acres of protected forest and overlooking a pristine glacial lake, Mohonk Mountain House offers countless activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Whether you want to

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June 20, 2018

Don’t Despair When You Compare

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Teddy Roosevelt—a Mountain House guest in 1892—said “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And he was speaking more than

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May 28, 2018

Mixology: Spring into Summer Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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May 5, 2018

Mohonk Gift Ideas for Mom This Mother’s Day

By: Candy Martin, Gift Shop Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Bring Mohonk home to you by shopping from our online store. Explore all of the best sellers from our signature teas to our

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May 1, 2018

Mindfulness in Nature

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Here at Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle resort surrounded by 40,000 acres of a spectacular natural setting, we’ve

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April 24, 2018

Then & Now: Boating on Lake Mohonk

By: Nell Boucher, Archivist, Mohonk Mountain House Boats on Lake Mohonk have always been part of the Mountain House experience. In the early years, a popular event was the annual

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April 24, 2018

Culinary: Grilled Honey Lime Chicken Kebobs

By: Jim Palmeri, Executive Chef, Mohonk Mountain House Did you know that there are more than 300 varieties of honey in the United States? Honey is not just a sweetener for

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April 24, 2018

7 Ways to Make Mom Feel Special This Mother’s Day

Visit during Mother’s Day Weekend this May 11-13, featuring activities, events, and adventures for every Mom! Treat Mom to a weekend away, with or without the family, at our Victorian castle

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April 22, 2018

Our 4 Favorite Hikes with the Most Breathtaking Views

By: Annie Pilek, Director of Recreation and Entertainment, Mohonk Mountain House From carriage roads to rock scrambles, Mohonk Mountain House is known to have some of the best and most

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April 20, 2018

From the Archives: Lightning & Thunder

By: Nell Boucher, Archivist, Mohonk Mountain House Over the past 150 years, the most consistent reason to visit Mohonk has been the opportunity to bear witness to nature’s awe-inspiring displays.

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April 16, 2018

Mixology: Gin Slap Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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April 16, 2018

Feeling Overwhelmed? These 5 Mindfulness Steps Can Help!

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House If you’re feeling overwhelmed… Like you’re running harder and harder just to stay in place… That there’s so much

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April 12, 2018

Mohonk Gift Ideas for Spring

By: Candy Martin, Gift Shop Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Bring Mohonk home to you by shopping from our online store. Explore all of the best sellers from our signature teas to our

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March 27, 2018

Centering Yourself with a Mindfulness Heart Meditation

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Every day brings the possibility that we’ll encounter stress as we go about our lives. While we can do

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March 26, 2018

Mohonk Artworks Restoration Project (Part 2)

By: Nell Boucher, Archivist, Mohonk Mountain House Most artworks at Mohonk Mountain House were selected by the founders Albert, Eliza, Daniel, and Effie during 1880-1910 when they were furnishing the

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March 23, 2018

Culinary: Local Ramp and Morel Risotto

By: Jim Palmeri, Executive Chef, Mohonk Mountain House Earthly delights are beginning to spring from the soil, and enthusiastic foodies are stalking one vegetable in particular: the ramp. Sometimes called

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March 20, 2018

The Fine Art of Being Mindfully Cranky

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House “Mindfully” Cranky? What does that mean? How does it work? And isn’t it an oxymoron?

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March 14, 2018

Mixology: Sip It Like You Stole It Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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March 9, 2018

Accidental Archives: 1915 Mohonk Bulletin Discovered

By: Nell Boucher, Archivist, Mohonk Mountain House While doing some maintenance on a dryer in Mohonk’s laundry room, Maintenance technician James Callaizakis uncovered some interesting documents that had fallen between

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February 28, 2018

Culinary: Butternut and Kabocha Squash Gratin

By: Jim Palmeri, Executive Chef, Mohonk Mountain House Say YES to Winter Squash! It’s easy to overlook the less flashy winter squash hiding in the vegetable displays of your local

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February 25, 2018

Procrastination Pulling You Down? Let Mindfulness Pull You Up!

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House With only 24 hours in a day, it can be difficult to get everything done. “I’m on-the-run, I’ll do

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February 23, 2018

Top 5 Treatments for Winter Skin

By: Jamie Ford, Spa Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Winter wreaks havoc on our skin. Drinking plenty of water, even in the winter, is also essential for healthy, hydrated skin! To

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February 16, 2018

Mixology: Last Call on Bourbon Street Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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February 9, 2018

Mastering Mindfulness One Breath at a Time

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Bring Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine The benefits of mindfulness are many. It boosts the immune system, heightens

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February 8, 2018

Culinary: Super Bowl Party Appetizers

By: Steve Anson, Executive Sous Chef, Mohonk Mountain House We all know the real winner of the Super Bowl is delicious food. This year, try making these appetizers that will

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February 2, 2018

Mohonk Artworks Restoration Project (Part 1)

You may have noticed someone working meticulously in the hallways of Mohonk Mountain House, listening and whispering to the walls as she restored artworks throughout the property.

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February 1, 2018

Mixology: Mohonk Glühwein Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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January 9, 2018

Deck the Halls with Poinsettias

By: Scott Woods, Greenhouse Specialist, Mohonk Mountain House Poinsettias, also known as Euphorbia pulcherrima, are a classic of the holiday season. We planted a total of 500 on July

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December 19, 2017

Mohonk Gift Ideas for the Holidays

By: Candy Martin, Gift Shop Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Bring Mohonk home to you by shopping from our online store. Explore all of the best sellers from our signature teas to our

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December 18, 2017

Mixology: Thai Gingerbread Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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December 13, 2017

Mixology: Maple Spice Madras + Autumn Sparkler Cocktail Recipes

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, or theme, which must be featured

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November 7, 2017

Celebrating the Smiley Family

We are beyond thrilled to congratulate the entire Smiley Family, who received the honor of “Legendary Family: Historic Hoteliers of the Year” award from the Historic Hotels of America® and

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November 3, 2017

Mixology: Cucumber Madness Cocktail Recipe

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Each month, Mohonk bartenders compete to create a specialty craft cocktail for the resort. They are given one key ingredient, which must be featured in their

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July 13, 2017

Our Favorite DIY Lawn Games to Play This Summer

By: Annie Pilek, Director of Recreation and Entertainment, Mohonk Mountain House Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy classic backyard lawn games with friends and family. Whether you’re

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July 11, 2017

Highlights from Artist’s Inspiration Week

Earlier this month, we partnered with Wired Gallery to host our annual Artist’s Inspiration event, bringing together local and nationally renowned artists to paint, teach, and inspire guests during a five-day plein air

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June 15, 2017

How to Make The Perfect Home Brew: Advice from Yard Owl Craft Brewery

Last weekend, Mohonk Mountain House hosted Brewmasters Weekend, a three-day event dedicated to the art and craft of beer and the people who brew it. Featured brew masters were Kristop Brown and James

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April 30, 2017

Celebrating Earth Day in Pictures and Poetry

In celebration of Earth Week and Mohonk’s century-long commitment to environmental stewardship, we shared some of our favorite nature-inspired quotes and classic Mohonk landscapes on social media this week.

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April 22, 2017

Intro to Forest Bathing: Where Mindfulness Meets Nature

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Letting thoughts go and being immersed in nature helps calm, center, and heal both body and mind, and recent

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April 13, 2017

Mixology: Spring Training Cocktail

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Celebrate Spring with our featured cocktail of the month, Spring Training. This delicious and refreshing cocktail features fresh basil leaves and tart grapefruit

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April 9, 2017

Mohonk’s Favorite DIY Facial Toner

By: Diane West, Spa Retail Supervisor, Mohonk Mountain House Say goodbye to tired, dry skin and revitalize your daily skincare routine with this super simple chamomile facial toner. Our team of estheticians

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April 4, 2017

Mixology: Juniper Toddy

By: Anna Stone, Beverage Manager, Mohonk Mountain House Learn how to craft one of our most-requested cocktails – the Juniper Toddy! Even as Spring approaches, we still can’t seem to shake the cold

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March 14, 2017

Simple Techniques to Manage the Stress of Everyday Life

By: Nina Smiley, Ph.D., Director of Mindfulness Programming, Mohonk Mountain House Stress can be experienced in any part of your life—at work or even at home with loved ones. The

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March 5, 2017