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1927
The Chestnut Inn
Deposit, New York
The Chestnut Inn
498 Oquaga Lake Road, Deposit, New York 13754 Original Property Opened in 1927 Historic Hotels of America member since 2023Perched on the shore of the idyllic Oquaga Lake, The Chestnut Inn carries on the grand tradition of the Catskills resorts, which once peppered the foothills of New York in the 1940s and 50s. When it first opened its doors in 1928, greeting travelers at the time with 60 guestrooms and resplendent woodwork crafted from the now-extinct American chestnut, the then “Hotel Monoquaga” held the distinction of being one of the earliest lake resorts in New York’s Catskill Mountains. In the following decades, the upstate New York hotel saw generations of families and urbanites eager to escape the bustle of the big city spend their summers there until, sadly, business began to decline toward the end of the 1970s, as with many other Catskills hideaways.
Today, however, the foothills hideaway—now fittingly called The Chestnut Inn—is back, just like the city dwellers seeking refuge in the wide-open spaces of the Catskill Mountains, and as beautiful as ever. Boasting only 17 charming suites, as well as 400 feet of picturesque waterfront, this intimate, lakeside escape is perfect for travelers in search of simple pleasures, outdoor adventures, and plenty of peaceful solitude. During the day, guests can drink in a breath of fresh air when kayaking or canoeing out on Oquaga Lake and then, in the evening, sip on a cocktail while enjoying a meal in the formal dining room. However guests choose to spend their visit, one thing is certain: They are sure to leave feeling recharged, refreshed, and reconnected.
Please note that The Chestnut Inn is only open seasonally, typically closing from January 2 through April 1.
Discover
- Stay in a piece of natural history at this lakeside hideaway in New York’s Catskills. When construction began on the “Hotel Monoquaga,” as it was called in its early years, the waterfront retreat was crafted almost entirely out of lumber from the American chestnut. Once known as the “Redwood of the East” due to how large it could grow, the arboreal giant has since been declared functionally extinct due to blight, though some surviving chestnuts and root systems remain. While efforts are being made to restore the trees, a former keystone species in eastern forests, to their former glory, guests staying at the appropriately named Chestnut Inn can appreciate their strength and beautiful grain in the original woodwork that continues to grace the Inn’s expansive lobby, grand staircase, and cozy lounge.
- Walk in the footsteps of the IBM engineers who had a hand in the first-ever moon landing. In the late 1960s, the Hotel Monoquaga, as it was then called, was used as a tranquil retreat for the engineers working on the Apollo 11 spaceflight. Thanks to the Catskill hideaway’s seclusion and convenient location not far from IBM’s office in nearby Greater Binghamton, New York, the Inn served as an intellectual haven for the team as they worked to resolve a problem involving the orbit plan for the lunar module.
- Admire the American Craftsman architecture of The Chestnut Inn. Popularized by American interior designer Gustav Stickley, the style is known for its expert construction, natural building materials, hand-crafted details, open and inviting layout, and emphasis on comfort and utility. Today, guests can still enjoy the handiwork of the team of carefully selected craftsmen who machined everything onsite those many years ago. Just like many American Craftsman structures, the heart of the Inn is its massive stone fireplace in the lobby, which warmly welcomes guests with crackling, four-foot logs.
Explore
- Take a hike through the nearby Cat Hollow State Forest. Located only seven minutes from The Chestnut Inn, this beautiful state forest blankets 759 acres of Broome County, New York. In addition to hiking along the 1.2-mile-long McMurray Road, visitors can also stop by a beaver pond alongside Woodford Road, which runs alongside the forest’s west edge and is an excellent spot for seeing wetland wildlife like herons, ducks, and geese.
- Pay a visit to the Deposit Historical Museum. Open seasonally, this museum in the New York town of Deposit was once the Knapp Brothers Bank. Today, the Italianate building and a neighboring house once home to noted Civil War surgeon Dr. Oliver T. Bundy play host to pieces of the quaint hamlet’s history.
- Stand in awe of the Starrucca Viaduct. Opened in 1848, with a construction cost of $320,000 (what would be $10,823,385 today), this stunning stone bridge was the world’s largest stone railway viaduct upon its completion and has been used continuously for more than a century and a half. A wonder to behold, the stone arch bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and, before that, was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1973 by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Best of all, with a convenient location only a 20-minute drive away, it makes for an easy outing for guests staying at The Chestnut Inn.
- Venture further afield and straight into the heart of New York’s Catskills with a drive along the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway. Traversing 52 miles and four communities, each with its own unique villages, this picturesque route follows Esopus Creek, a waterway with roots on the 4,200-foot Slide Mountain (the Catskills’ highest peak), the Delaware River’s eastern branch. Along the way, travelers enjoy pristine mountain views and a charming patchwork of farmers’ markets, bakeries, cafes, art galleries, museums, and historic sites. The byway is bookended by the Western Gateway in the town of Andes, the closest entry point to The Chestnut Inn at a little over an hour’s drive away, and the Eastern Gateway in Olive, New York.
Experience
- Get out on the water with some kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding from The Chestnut Inn’s 400 feet of shoreline along Oquaga Lake. Nestled at the foot of the Catskills, this serene private lake is the ideal place to watch the sun rise or set over the trees. Alternatively, for those hoping to cool off during the sweltering summer months, it also offers excellent swimming. Oquaga Lake is so postcard-perfect, in fact, that it even served as a backdrop for scenes from the second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, when the titular character and her family spend a summer in the Catskill Mountains.
- Enjoy a bit of old-fashioned fun and some friendly competition with a game of cornhole. Available at The Chestnut Inn for guests to play, this wholesome lawn game offers guests the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends while reveling in the area’s abundant natural beauty.
- Embark on a day trip to visit the cradle of American art. Glimpsed by British expatriate Thomas Cole as he traveled by steamship up the Hudson River in the autumn of 1825, the pastoral landscapes of the Catskills and other mountains in the area were the muses behind the country’s first artistic movement: the Hudson River School. Today, travelers can be inspired by the same majestic vistas that launched the mid-19th-century art movement with a trip along the Hudson River School Art Trail. Not only can art enthusiasts visit Cedar Grove, the former home and studio of Thomas Cole in Catskill, New York, but they can also retrace the footsteps (and brushstrokes) of some of the movement’s most famous artists and paintings. The Trail begins at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from The Chestnut Inn.
Taste
- Savor the flavors of the Catskills with a dinner of Hudson Valley steelhead trout at The Chestnut Inn’s formal dining room. Located less than an hour away from Roscoe, New York, which claims the nickname of Trout Town, USA, thanks to it being home to five of the best trout streams in the United States, the Inn’s on-site restaurant serves up some of the finest fish in the country. At dinner, the catch of the day is accompanied by roasted cauliflower and caramelized onions with a pistachio crumble. The steak frites and French onion soup gratinée are also favorites.
- Indulge in breathtaking waterfront views while enjoying a bite to eat and something to sip on from the Inn’s shoreside tavern or terrace. No matter what is on the menu, be sure to enjoy a glass from The Chestnut Inn’s extensive wine menu, which boasts bottles from across the United States, with a particular focus on New York, and France.
- Start a day of Catskills adventures (or simply a lazy day by Oquaga Lake) in style with The Chestnut Inn’s weekend brunch. For a sweet beginning, tuck into a plate of flapjacks drizzled with locally harvested maple syrup. Or, for those in the mood for something savory, enjoy the Chestnut Eggs Benedict, a croque monsieur, or a croque madame crowned with a sunny-side egg.
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Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
