When pulling into the gravel parking lot in front of the Graham & Co. on a stormy fall evening, one could be mistaken for feeling like they’re an IQ-challenged character about to make an idiotic mistake in the opening credits of a bad horror film.
The aesthetic at the refurbished motor inn is in fact quite the opposite – think the kind of weekend getaway Mark Twain might escape to if he was a chain-smoking vegan residing in Brooklyn.
As if by design, the Graham & Co.’s garage-style, pop-up shop-esque reception, modern-yet-rustic rooms and surrounding grounds are framed like a perfect Instagram gallery, ready to be sent viral by the latest batch of Cobble Hill kids on a cheeky jaunt away from the city.
The distinct hipster ‘whatever’ vibe carries throughout the Phoenecia-based glamping gem. Arriving past the prearranged check-in time isn’t a problem as the 24-hour reception doubles as a communal hangout space, complete with a wood fire, necessary board games and fridges in which to stock your BYO Pabst Blue Ribbon (Graham & Co. is still waiting on the approval of its liquor license so it can make the hand-crafted wooden bar functional).
When the receceptionist jaded Manhattenite on a six-month sea change clocks off for the night, guests are trusted to obey the honor system regarding the snacks on offer, but it’s just as easy to grab a pizza from Brio’s Italian down the road and pop the cork on one of several wines you snapped up from the afternoon’s wine tasting session.
Just 2.5 hours from Manhattan, the Catskills offers a quieter alternative to the Hamptons and is perfect for marveling at the buttery burnt foliage covering the engulfing mountains, which provide an array of taxing hikes for those willing to brave the bears.
Modern, minimalist and cozy are the three words which best describe the quiet rooms, which are complete with vintage Tivoli radios, woven blankets and vintage tennis racquets – the combination of which is sure to have you ditching your nine-to-five uniform for a gingham shirt and a pair of non-functioning black specs stat before you unwind with other guests around the property’s impressive fire pit.
Inspired by the heritage of the Catskills region, the Graham & Co.’s mantra is to provide a fresh take on the classic weekend getaway. Delightfully unpretentious, the motel’s philosophy is to allow you to be as switched off, or on, as you want – there are no televisions or Apple products in the rooms and patchy WiFi means a trip down the road to Main Street is required for those unable to hide off the grid.
Summer is certain to invite a slightly different crowd, with over three acres of activities featuring a Soho House-influenced swimming pool, hammocks, a badminton court, in addition to the town’s biggest draw card over the warmer months, tubing in the adjacent creek.
The owner’s side business features a range of branded apparel and homewares, such as a ‘Hamptons VS. Catskills’ tee and hoody, shades, essential oils and bathroom products – guests can even nab themselves a take-home version of the rug in their rooms.
The Graham & Co. does what hipsters do best – remaining nonchalant and aloof while delivering an ‘I woke up like this’ relaxing and cozy experience, nestled in an unspoiled pocket of upstate New York.
It’s hard to shake off the eerie undertones that evoke the feeling you’re in some way entwined in the plot of a horror film – meeting guests over wine in the communal hangout space in the evenings with back stories such as freelance acrobat, recovering widow on vacation with said deceased husbands best friend and tech startup millionaire – only to never see them again – will have you penning the next blockbuster slasher flick before the LIRR pulls into Penn Station.