Smythe House Luxury Rooms is a historic Victorian inn built in 1890 in Saugerties, New York. The property is hosted by Justine and David Smythe; Justine studied at Cornell Hotel School, and David worked as a professor at the Culinary Institute of America. Smythe House offers five accommodations with private bathrooms and queen-sized beds, as well as a koi pond, a backyard with views of the nearby mountains, and various antique furniture throughout the house. Smythe House is a fairly short distance from several attractions, including the Falling Waters Preserve and Opus 40. The establishment has also been extended with a retreat in Costa Rica. Justine explains that the Costa Rican retreat inhabits a Blue Zone, a geographic location where people have been observed to live longer and healthier.
Smythe House Luxury Rooms is a historic property located in Saugerties, New York. The property was built in 1890 and is a shingle-style Victorian house. The house was built during the industrial revolution in Saugerties when Henry Barclay opened a steel mill in the town and built a hydroelectric power plant on the river. The property has been fully restored with modern amenities and is run by Justine and David Smythe, who are both hospitality professionals.
Smythe House Luxury Rooms offers five units outfitted with private bathrooms, queen-size beds, DirecTV, refrigerators, and coffee stations. According to the owner, the Violet Room and the Bird Room are the two most popular rooms, likely due to the double Jacuzzi tubs in the bathroom. The property has a backyard with a mountain view and a deck with a table and chairs. There is a koi pond and a covered bridge on the property, as well as a large deck overlooking the nature preserve. Guests can walk in the nature preserves that are right near the house.
In addition to running their Victorian-style property in Saugerties, New York, Justine and David have expanded their business to include a retreat center in Costa Rica. In brief, the retreat center offers guests the opportunity to experience a Blue Zone lifestyle, which the owner explains is where people have been observed to live longer, healthier lives. The retreat center offers retreats that feature cooking and wellness, along with adventures such as surfing, snorkeling, and tours of nearby islands and nature preserves. The retreat center features a relatively large outdoor kitchen and a yoga deck.
Smythe House Luxury Rooms is located in a town with various attractions nearby, including the Saugerties Lighthouse, the Falling Waters Preserve, and Opus 40. There are also several restaurants and boutiques in the village, as well as art galleries, live music venues, and a movie theater. The Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern, an Italian-American restaurant, overlooks a few waterfalls and is less than a mile from Smythe House. Additionally, guests can visit the Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café, which is located near hiking trails and is considered a popular lunch spot by the owner.
The owners of Smythe House Luxury Rooms have strived to create a “cozy” and inviting atmosphere for guests, with a focus on helping them feel comfortable, relaxed, safe, and happy. By striving to maintain a clean property and provide concierge support, they hope to accomplish this goal. Additionally, the owners offer recommendations for activities and attractions in the area, including the previously-mentioned nature preserves, lighthouse, and a variety of restaurants and shops in the area.
Several visitor reviews reflect the effort to maintain a clean and positive atmosphere; one former occupant said, "The accommodations were clean, and the innkeepers were very courteous with interesting conversation." Another visitor said, "The eclectic rooms are comfy and clean. The grounds are naturally beautiful and spacious.
David and Justine are charming people."
Smythe House Luxury Rooms policies include a flexible cancellation policy that does not require a deposit in advance. However, guests must pay in full within two weeks of making a reservation, and cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance. The property is pet-friendly, and the owners can babysit pets or provide guests with information on nearby pet-friendly activities. Smoking is not allowed inside the rooms, but guests are permitted to smoke outside.
Smythe House Luxury Rooms is open from mid-May through the end of October in New York and from December through the end of April in Costa Rica. The New York property's busiest month is October due to the fall foliage and the local attractions. Furthermore, Justine and David, the owners of the property, strive to ensure that their guests have an enjoyable stay, often helping them plan their adventures in the Hudson Valley. According to Justine, Smythe House Luxury Rooms typically attracts couples and friend groups, but families are also welcome. She adds that more than half of their guests are repeat guests.
Smythe House is a restored Victorian home that was built in 1890, offering guests the opportunity to experience staying in an antique home with Persian carpets, gilt mirrors, Tiffany-style lighting, and antique furniture. The current hosts of the property are David and Justine, a retired Culinary Institute of America chef professor and his wife, a CIA and Cornell Hotel Grad. They provide concierge support and strive to create comfortable and relaxed surroundings for their guests.
Justine and David Smythe have owned the business since 2005, and they built the business themselves while living in the house for 30 years. Justine has an MBA from Cornell Hotel School, and David was a professor at the Culinary Institute of America for 30 years.
Regarding what they enjoy most about their jobs, Justine explains that she "enjoys helping to cultivate lasting memories" for her guests, while David takes pleasure in serving his guests and "ensuring that they have an enjoyable stay."
158 Burt Street
Saugerties, New York 12477
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Justine and David Smythe
