Turning into the driveway of Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck, NY, one comes upon what appears to be, at first glance, a chateau in France’s Loire Valley. It’s a pleasing effect which set the tone for a weekend of true escapism at the alluring property, located just two hours north of New York City. The first Mirbeau Inn & Spa—the name, loosely translated, means “reflected beauty,” and is partly inspired by the paintings of French Impressionist Claude Monet—opened in 2000 in the diminutive Village of Skaneateles, in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The Rhinebeck resort opened in 2019, further extending the burgeoning brand, which also has properties in Albany, NY (Spa Mirbeau) and Plymouth, Mass., outside of Boston.
Based on a philosophy of “balancing life with wellness and indulgence,” Mirbeau is the brainchild of Linda and Gary Dower. In the mid-1990s, the couple noticed that most American hotels outside of major cities “had very little to do with ‘hospitality,’ and were simply convenient and predictable places for travelers to sleep at night as they passed through.” They saw a need for “a true getaway with familiar charm and soft-spoken luxury,” that was still relatively close to home to allow for short respites. At the time, “destination hotels tended to be located at beautiful geographic areas, such as the Rocky Mountains, Miami Beach and the Grand Canyon, and were long distances away from where most people lived.”
At the same time, the Dowers noted that the era of families taking “single, long vacations were being given up for multiple, short getaways,” in itself a byproduct of the dawn of “instant, inexpensive, worldwide communication,” which meant that many people now took working vacations. The decision to open their first resort in the town they lived in, Skaneateles, was meant to maximize the time they’d have to relax and enjoy a shorter stay. The first Mirbeau was created as “a place designed from the customer’s perspective; a place of gracious hospitality, where guests enjoyed classic comforts and were truly cared for; a place where guests could let go and totally relax; and importantly, a place that was close to home.”
Building on the success of the first property, as well as that of the subsequent openings in Albany and Plymouth, the Mirbeau in Rhinebeck channels Parisian sophistication and old-world style. The French chateau feel is carried over to the guest rooms and suites, each one of which features a fireplace. There are 49 gracious accommodations in all, divided among Mirbeau Signature rooms and Luxurious Suites, each with an abundance of space and impressive bathrooms with walk-in showers, soaking tubs, and double sinks. Linda Dower, who manages all aspects of interior design for Mirbeau Inn & Spa projects, oversaw the soothing decor.
At the heart of the property is 15,000 sq.ft. Spa Mirbeau, featuring a European-style relaxation area, an Aqua Terrace with thermal pool, a eucalyptus-infused steam room, Himalayan salt saunas, and a fitness room with the latest equipment. In keeping with the Mirbeau philosophy, the property is as equally suited to welcoming overnight guests as day-trippers, who can indulge in the sanctuary of the spa, and enjoy dinner on site as well, without taking too much time off from work. The idea is to refresh and reawaken the senses whether you visit for three nights or a few hours.
Nor is dinner a mere afterthought. The property’s restaurant, Willow by Charlie Palmer, is from the famed chef best known for Aureole, his restaurant in New York City which earned 13 Michelin stars and two James Beard awards. Willow “draws upon the Hudson Valley to represent the region’s agricultural heritage,” while the menu “showcases the team’s dedication to progressive American cuisine,” featuring “local and seasonal produce from multi-generational farms, emergent food artisans, and craft distillers.” While their is much integrity of ingredients, and lighter dishes are on offer, this is far from being a spa menu sort of place, and it attracts diners from all over the region, drawn by Palmer’s reputation and the serene setting, which occupies much of the hotel’s main floor as well as a balcony overlooking the woodland behind the property.
Following an initial setback and temporary closure brought on the pandemic, the Rhinebeck property reopened in the spring of 2020 with strict guidelines in place. By January of this year, despite operating at reduced capacity for much of the period, Mirbeau “found that the spa had actually grown its revenue from the previous year by over 20 percent,” according to the Albany Times-Union. As Pamela Maes, Spa Director of Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck, told the paper, “The pandemic has really stressed the importance of self-care,” and Mirbeau is well-positioned to assist. The Mirbeau Companies remains a family-owned and operated organization, with plans for further growth into selected regional markets in the Northeast.
Its family values remain firmly in place. During the pandemic, Mirbeau properties made a commitment to not terminate any employees while the properties had to be closed, and continued to pay them during the furlough. Then upon reopening, Mirbeau launched an initiative to donate spa services to local healthcare professionals. In total, Mirbeau donated over 320 spa treatments to health care organizations in New York alone. As various local news outlets reported, the initiative was part of the Mirbeau Cares program, the philanthropic arm of the Mirbeau Companies. In addition to the donated treatments, the company hosts charitable events and contributes to a variety of organizations serving those in need.
