If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we spent last weekend on our babymoon at the beautiful Cedar Lakes Estate. When I realized we would be taking a winter babymoon, I started thinking about what we would want. It needed to be within driving distance of the city, and somewhere that was taking Covid precautions seriously. Other than that, my top priority was a cozy place to curl up with a book (ideally by a crackling fire).
I did a bunch of research, and decided on Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis. A frequent wedding venue and retreat center, they started offering Winter Getaway packages when it was safe to re-open last year. Cedar Lakes is owned by two sisters and they’ve done such an incredible job with it. The property is lovely, every space is thoughtfully designed, and they totally channeled “cabin chic” vibes. We were very impressed by the staff, before and during our stay. They do everything they can to personalize your experience and make sure you’re taken care of, which really makes a difference. In fact, Lisa, one of the sisters, very sweetly surprised us with their decadent hot chocolate one afternoon!
There are a number of different options for accommodations. Each party gets their own cabin, room or suite. If you’re traveling with a bigger group, there are a couple of larger spaces, or smaller ones nearby. We chose the Lakeside cottage, which was a large, standalone, single-room cabin. We knew Rob would have to work while we were there, so we wanted enough space where he could do that while I read and relaxed. I loved everything about the design of this cabin, and it was exactly what we wanted. Bonus: the bathroom had heated floors!
The Winter Getaway package includes most meals. It was different each day, but breakfast and dinner were generally served in the Pavilion (below), and we picked up lunch there as well. Each cabin has a designated table for the whole weekend, and they’re well-spaced from one another. Guests wear masks until they’re seated, and the staff wears masks the whole time. Our table was situated next to the fire pit, which was so nice. Before we arrived, I got a phone call from the concierge staff to confirm our food limitations and preferences. They were experienced with “pregnancy diets,” and easily accommodated my other restrictions. The food was SO good, and we loved that they feature local farms and purveyors. Saturday night is a special five-course Saturday Supper, which was fantastic!
In terms of what to do, there are a number of winter activities included in your stay. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do many of them, but they looked so fun. They have a little ice skating rink and curling rink, and plenty of great hills for sledding. You can also borrow snow shoes or head out for a hike around the property. On top of those things, you can add on experiences like cooking classes, movie nights, and private dinners. Our friends generously gifted us a private dinner, and it was such a nice treat! (Check out the tablescape below.)
A few things to note: drinks aren’t included in the cost of your stay, but they’re worth it! Rob loved the Maple Old Fashioned (and a couple of others), and I was grateful for the mocktail menu. There’s a bar/hangout space called the Treehouse where you can grab a drink and play some board games. Also, dogs are allowed on the property and in most of the cabins. We decided not to bring Bones since this was really an opportunity for us to spend time together pre-baby, but he would have loved it. The Winter Getaways are only running through April, so definitely make a reservation ASAP if you’re interested. The staff really goes above and beyond. We felt very safe, and it’s such a peaceful place to be. We can’t wait to bring baby boy back there some day!
