Turns out, our peaceful nature walks were actually full-blown mountainous hikes, and our casual float down the creek was a class-one rafting trip that sent us flying downstream in icy cold water.

In short, our time at Scribner’s wound up building a lot more than relationships, and we’ve got the sore muscles to prove it. But even as our chill weekend morphed into a thrill weekend, our crew managed to keep things balanced with many little moments of zen—whether it was during our private morning yoga sessions at the Lodge, or savoring the amazing meals at Prospect, the hotel’s restaurant.

With its locally inspired dishes (our favorites were the pancakes at breakfast, the asparagus in Béarnaise sauce at dinner, and a sorbet/custard/cardamom concoction for dessert), Prospect is just one gem of many that make the Lodge truly unique. Just a three-hour drive from New York City, the Catskills have long been popular for city dwellers looking to get their fill of nature without straying too far from home; and historically, Scribner’s has been central to that experience.

Most famously a center of artistic eccentricity in the 60s when the grounds were acquired by a visionary artist and entrepreneur, the renovations that Scribner’s underwent in 2016 have given it a bit of a different feel. Today, the cozy cabin vibes are coupled with stylish modern updates, and its white brick, wood floors, patterned rugs, and chic wall hangings give it what we lovingly referred to as a “lodge minimal” feel: equal parts log cabin and luxury resort.

During our short visit, we took full advantage of the amenities: an indoor fire pit, outdoor pool, and fabulous bar. Scribner’s Lodge made the perfect backdrop for our little group to bond over our love of travel, design, and of course, the great outdoors.