The Swiss Hutte inn in Hillsdale, NY may just be our new go-to in the Berkshires (yes, technically it’s in the state of New York, but for all intents and purposes it’s basically the Berkshires!). It’s well located, has a b & b type vibe, warm hospitality, an excellent restaurant, and is good value for your money.
About Swiss Hutte
First, let me give you some background on the Swiss Hutte. It’s an inn and restaurant (a highly regarded one at that) conveniently located next to the base of Catamount ski mountain, about 2 ½ hours north of New York City. Perfect for skiers visiting the mountain, it is also a popular place to stay any season. Located on the cusp of the Berkshires, beautiful countryside and landscape abound, making it a relaxing escape no matter what time of year.
The Swiss Hutte is an old farmhouse that was built in the 1800’s, eventually having been turned into an inn. I’m not sure there’s anything I love more than an old farmhouse as an inn! Years later a second building was added to the main house, more of a motel-ish looking building. But don’t let the word motel fool you – both buildings have their charm and appeal.
The current owners, Gert and Cindy Alper, purchased the Swiss Hutte in the 1980’s and gave it a complete make-over, with a European touch. Gert is a chef from Switzerland, having trained in Luzern, and together with his wife Cindy they re-built the Swiss Hutte inn and restaurant. It’s a charming inn where during the warmer months there is an outdoor pool, as well as a pond to sit and relax by. In the wintertime you can watch the skiers fly down Catamount, as the hotel overlooks the ski area. People come to both stay at the inn as well as dine at the restaurant.
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About the Swiss Hutte restaurant
I’m not sure there’s anything cozier than saddling up to the wooden bar at the Swiss Hutte restaurant after a long day of skiing, and watching the night skiers with cocktail in tow. The restaurant and bar has a perfect, and unassuming, view of the mountain and slopes. If I didn’t have kids, I could have spent all evening at the bar watching the goings-on of mountain life. The décor is homey and comfortable, as if you’re inside someone’s home.
Known as “the Hutte” by locals, people come from far and wide to eat chef Gert’s cuisine. Though not on the light side – far from it – his food is delicious and good for the soul; sophisticated, European comfort food at its best. He uses local produce from the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley, and the ingredients and preparation are of the highest quality. Additionally, apparently all baked goods are made on site, including the bread.
The Swiss Hutte serves both lunch and dinner, with things like Double Thick Pork Chop with Caramelized Onions, Honey Glazed Duckling, Steak Aux Poivre, Wienerschnitzel and Grilled Atlantic Salmon as some of the mains on the dinner menu. They do not have a children’s menu per say, but children’s meals can be made upon request (my girls ate pasta). The restaurant is very family-friendly despite its sophisticated menu, and we saw all types of people dining – families, couples, and groups of friends.
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Our Experience with the Swiss Hutte
We loved our stay at the Swiss Hutte. In the past when we’ve gone to ski at Catamount we’ve rented Airbnb homes with friends, but this year we decided to mix things up. And how glad we are that we did! For $160 for my family of 4, the convenience of the inn next to the mountain, the good food, the hospitality and the general vibe made it completely good value in my opinion.
The rooms are very basic – they aren’t winning any interior design awards – but the beds are super comfortable (we had two Queens), with a flat screen t.v., a mini fridge and coffee maker. We stayed in the “motel” part of the inn, and there was something about it that I really loved, something nostalgic, something that brought me back to the days of traveling with my family when I was a young kid. Again the rooms are very simple, but very cozy, and each room has a little patio with chairs in front where we convened with other friends of ours who were staying at the Hutte as well. In the morning everyone was sipping their coffee outdoors watching the fog come in.
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We spent one night and all of us slept like rocks. Prior to hitting our rooms and watching movies in bed, we ate at the Swiss Hutte restaurant in the main building next door and had a fabulous meal. All 8 of us sat next to a roaring fire, where we ordered appetizers, main courses and desserts. The bill was not cheap. In fact it was pretty pricey. It’s an expensive restaurant. But again, for the convenience and excellent cooking, it didn’t seem to bother me. Every last morsel was delicious and cooked with care, and the ambience a relaxed sophistication that also catered to kids.
All of us were so satiated by the end of the night, with the good food and drink and atmosphere. That combined with the coziness of the rooms, we crashed fairly early on in the night. Which was a good thing because the next day we were ready to roll early and hit the slopes, practically just outside our door.
PIN IT!
You just make me want to go!
Author
Thanks Jean 🙂
That is a really beautiful inn! I love the design of it. Also, isn’t it great when accommodations actually have a tasty restaurant on-site? #farawayfiles
Author
Yes – that’s what I really loved about this place. No need to get in the car!
Omgosh, this is so adorable! You know I love me a pretty half-timbered house! Looks completely idyllic and cozy!! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
Author
Yes, Lori, it is right up your alley!!!
I love that they have a real Swiss chef at the Swiss Hutte Inn – suddenly I’m craving wiener schnitzel! Looks like a very charming place to escape the city for a ski weekend. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Author
The weinerschnitzel was amazing!!
Looks like a convenient place to escape to for the weekend, I’ll have to put this on the list of places to ski when we move back to CT next winter! #FarwayFiles
Author
You’re moving back to CT next winter? Yay! Whereabouts? Yes, definitely check out the Swiss Hutte!
Somewhere between Westerly, RI and Branford, CT depending on where I end up working but definitely on the coast. It’s coming so quickly it’s crazy to think about.
This reminds me of some of the inns we stayed in last Autumn in Austria. I normally love to stay in hotels with more contemporary design but when a place offers wonderful hospitality and great food, it’s comfort that matters. This looks so warm and inviting.
#farawayfiles
Author
I go back and forth between contemporary and traditional…I guess in the end I like to mix it up :).
This looks cozy! #farawayfiles
Author
It most definitely was 🙂
This sounds perfect, we loved staying in Inns and B&Bs when we were in the States #FarawayFiles
Author
There are some really wonderful inns in this country, that is for sure.
Look at all that spaghetti, hehehe! #FarawayFiles
Author
Haha – the portions were very generous!
What a beautiful facade on that building – it looks like it belongs on a Christmas card. Also, it looks like your daughter really enjoyed the pasta!!
Author
Haha – she did! The building was especially pretty with all the holiday lights.
Oh, what a place! I enjoy when buildings that have had a previous use are converted to hotels. That give them an interesting character and a good story. I like the idea of eating on-site and enjoying every moment of it with a group of people. Sounds like a great time! #FarawayFiles
Author
It was so relaxing. And me too – love an inn with some history :).
What a perfect cozy night away! And I love that the restaurant accommodated your little ones 🙂 This place makes me wish I knew how to ski, although the whole watching skiers from the bar thing is appealing, haha! #Farawayfiles
Author
There is a lot to be said for apres skiing!!
Staying in a half-timbered house in the woods and up the mountains in winter is certainly appealing. Wish I could be there NOW, for our rainy season is over and the hot and humid weather is back in Malaysia! 🙁 #FarawayFiles
Author
Humid weather is tough, but in general I will take the heat over the cold any day!
What a charming place to stay and the restaurant sounds like it offers the best type of food after a hard day on the slopes!
Author
Yes – everyone earned it, except for me! Not skiing this year as I tore my acl in a skiing accident a couple seasons ago. But having fun with the apres lifestyle!
this looks lovely. If I would not have been told where it is I would have guessed the Black forest area of Germany! #farawayfiles
Author
Haha – I remember recently reading about the Black Forest in one of California Globetrotter’s posts. I can see what you mean!
Oh wow, I thought this was in Europe when I saw the pictures! I’m a massive fan of converted farmhouses as well. They make me feel so cozy and at home. #FarawayFiles
Author
Totally – they are right up my alley. I actually grew up in an old farmhouse so that’s what I relate to!
This really does look adorable and I can hardly believe how close it is to Manhattan. I’d have been very tempted to spend all night in the bar too! #FarawayFiles
Author
It is such a great bar. I will definitely be returning!
This place looks beautiful! Is there anything more fun in wintertime than relaxing in the warmth of a ski lodge/restaurant – especially when you can view the slopes?! This isn’t too far from me either, so I’ll have to try to plan a visit. 🙂 #farawayfiles
Author
Oh cool – where do you live? It’s such a nice weekend or overnight escape.
Ah yes, we’ve stayed in many of these solid Swiss/German hotels, with their great restaurants downstairs. I have a big soft spot for the half-timbres, big plates of excellent food, and cheesy curtains in the rooms. #FarawayFiles
Author
Haha – well, then, you’d love this place ;).
I loved reading this. Skiing is one of my favourite things. A cosy inn close to the slopes sounds iike heaven. It reminded me of similar places we have stayed in Europe. Love the view from the bar! #FarawayFiles
It looks really cure with all it’s lights outside. Every building needs more fairy lights in my opinion… #FarawayFiles
You had me at the Double Thick Pork Chop with Caramelized Onions. Yum! Looks traditional and cosy.
#FarawayFiles
The Swiss Hutte was built by my family, and was originally a Farmhouse. Harold Nicholson had 3 wives, and 9 children where they had orchards up what is now known as the ski slopes of Catamount.
Author
Hi Christine, thanks so much for the comment and interesting to know the ski area used to be orchards! I’ve always been a history person and love envisioning places as they once used to be. What a beautiful area your family lived in!
Absolutely the most incredible food! When we travel from Alabama to New England to visit Family, we always stay and eat here! We love the Escargot so much that Gert fired up the oven for us so we could have it for breakfast! We had 3 orders along with the most amazing French Toast! I feel a northern adventure coming on!!!! 😊
Author
That is so great!! The food is ridiculously good. We didn’t eat breakfast there because Cindy said her help couldn’t come in the morning we were there, and it might take a while, and we wanted to get out on the slopes first thing so we just ate at Catamount. But our dinner was delicious! And right next to the fire too. It was a perfect night!