Pulling up to the Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck, New York, it’s easy to wonder if perhaps instead you just traveled the Paris countryside after landing at Charles de Gaulle. But no passport or lengthy vacation time is needed to explore this gem in the heart of Rhinebeck, a cultural hub that’s rich with history and only a short drive from New York City, the Berkshires and most parts of Connecticut.
Whether you’re planning a day trip, an overnight or a week-long getaway, everything you need for a relaxing getaway is found at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa.
As a tired Mom of 2 – a toddler and a 9-year-old -- I needed a getaway more than ever after the busy holiday season. So my best friend and I spent a night at the Mirbeau, and when I say the stay was perfection from start to finish, I am not exaggerating. It is truly the next best thing to a weekend in France – without the jetlag, of course - and the chic Parisian décor throughout the property tricks you into thinking when you wake up in the morning and open the curtains, you might just see the Eiffel Tower.
Here are some highlights, in no particular order:
1. The Aqua Terrace: Sitting in the heated rectangular spa whirlpool, sipping a glass of wine watching the snow come down was by far the highlight of my stay and a stark contrast to the chaos usually occurring when my kids are around. The massage jets and deliciously hot water provided much-needed relief to my aching muscles, and the steam coming off the surface was mesmerizing to watch.
Added bonus: The Aqua Terrace Bar is where you can order light bites and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A roaring outdoor fireplace and a cozy cabana with a heat lamp completed the winter scene.
2. Willow: The Mirbeau’s on-site bar and restaurant may as well be a Michelin-star establishment. I don’t typically frequent the same restaurant twice when I’m on vacation, let alone a whopping 6 times during a 24-hour stay like I did here. Rhinebeck has plenty of dining options around town, but after our first meal at Willow, we just kept coming back for more…again…and again. After our first lunch there – the Vegetarian French Dip is a must – we decided to have dinner at Willow, followed by breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day. I’m still dreaming of the French Onion Soup and the Steak Frites with Parmesan truffle fries. Most of the ingredients are locally-sourced throughout the Hudson Valley, and the French-inspired menu has something for everyone. The wine list is extensive, and the cocktails – and mocktails – were impressive, especially the Smoking Apples, which is made with apple butter.
Added bonus: It was completely acceptable to enjoy Sunday brunch – with live jazz no less - in our plush spa robes and spa slippers. There was a balanced combination of guests dining in typical attire and spa-wear.
3. Yoga and Fitness classes: Breathe and Flow Yoga was one of 9 different yoga offerings on the monthly schedule, including Kundalini Yoga Sculpt, Yin/Restorative Yoga, and Gentle Flow Yoga, but guests can also get their cardio fix with classes like Dance Empowerment and Cardio Fit. With close to 20 classes to choose from in the weekly schedule, there is something for everyone each day. The schedule varies daily but we signed up for a 50-minute Breathe and Flow yoga class, and so much tension had melted away by the time class was over.
Added bonus: The classes are unlimited for hotel guests and guests using the spa for the day, so while I enjoyed yoga, I decided to stay for the class that started directly after called Mobility, which focused on joint health.
4. The Rooms: A day trip is doable if you live close enough to this sanctuary, but if you can stay for one night – or, even better, 10 – the hotel is its own special experience. All 49 rooms are pin-drop quiet, the bathrooms are spacious and oversized with French-style soaking tubs in case you aren’t doing enough soaking on the main level, and the Mirbeau-branded bath products are a treat for the senses with the option to purchase.
Added Bonus: The mattress was the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on, and when I did some investigating into how I could replicate the experience in my own bedroom, I discovered that the mattresses, which were custom-made for the property, are also available for purchase on their website. With a price tag of $2,645 (for the Mirbeau Estate King Mattress), I’m definitely adding one to next year’s Christmas wish list.
5. The Spa and Spa Treatments – The 12,000 square-foot-spa is obviously the highlight of this amazing property. I decided the month of December had just been too long and I deserved to book a 100-minute massage. The treatment room was cozy with a small electric fireplace emitting heat from the wall, and the massage therapist knew exactly what she was doing. I can’t say I remember much of it as I dozed in and out, but I did walk out a new woman. The Himalayan Salt Sauna and Eucalyptus-infused steam room in the women’s locker room (men’s locker room has them also) were the perfect endings to a truly magical day.
Added bonus: The Resting Area is a unique, dimly-lit space where whispering – and deep relaxation with a cup of herbal tea or glass of cucumber-infused water – are a must before and after treatments. A water feature in the center of the room and fireplace on one side of the room adds to the ambiance while guests get comfortable on curved loungers.
To Book Your Next Getaway, visit: https://www.rhinebeck.mirbeau.com
