We Are Upstate NY With Hotel Mountain Brook Inn Keepers Sandra and Ryan Charest

Nestled in the rolling Catskill Mountains, with a wraparound porch and breathtaking views, Hotel Mountain Brook beautifully merges rustic character with modern style and amenities. This historic, 20-room Adirondack-style lodge with library, den, lounge and bar is the perfect weekend getaway. Canine family members are welcome, too!

Guests will enjoy the hotel’s onsite fire pits with s’mores at the ready, and the fun-stocked game room, shuffleboard and corn toss will keep everyone entertained. Located within walking distance of the charming village of Tannersville, they can also explore vintage shops, an antique center and more, where sweet local flavor abounds. And don’t forget the many hikes and trails, the epic waterfalls and swimming holes for birding and biking!  Hunter Mountain and the Mountain Top Arboretum are only minutes away, with Belleayre Mountain just a short drive.

INSIDE+OUT recently sat down with Sandra and Ryan, the uber-hospitable managers of this cozy ship. Meet them here, and then stay for the weekend to enjoy all this beautiful boutique hotel has to offer.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you both from and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Sandra Charest: I was born and raised in Florida; however, the rest of my family is from NY, and I spent some time Upstate as a kid, so I have a connection to the area. After living in Florida for 30+ years, I was ready for a change in lifestyle.

Ryan Charest: I am originally from Massachusetts and moved to Florida to attend Florida Gulf Coast University. After living in Florida for 16 years, I was ready to return to the Northeast.

Both: We love the mountains and wanted to be close to family in the Northeast, so we set our sights on The Catskills. The rest of the story about how we met Azie and Travis and came to work for {verdigreen} is very serendipitous. We found each other at the perfect time and moved to Tannersville in March 2021 when they purchased Hotel Mountain Brook.

How did you get your start in the Hotel/Hospitality industry?  Tell us about your journey!

Sandra: I attended Florida State University and received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business/hospitality. Following graduation in 2005, I started working for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’s front desk and worked my way up over the years, covering all room division departments as well as HR. When I left the company in 2020, I was the Executive Assistant Manager for both Ritz-Carlton resorts in Naples.

Ryan: I started working in hospitality at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, in 2006. I was working as a valet while I went to college. Sandra and I met there. She hired me and was my direct manager. I worked in multiple departments as I finished college. I eventually moved on to different things, but Sandra (who I am now married to) was still in the industry, so I never really left.

What is your main responsibility at the Hotel?

Ryan is mainly responsible for Food + Beverage and Maintenance but assists everywhere and Sandra oversees Operations (front desk, housekeeping, laundry, breakfast service).

Tell us about your favorite things at Hotel Mountain Brook.

Firepit hangouts are the best! It’s a great place for guests to meet and mingle. We also have a cozy game room filled with books, games, complimentary snacks and DVDs. Perfect for those chilly nights!

What can guests expect from a stay at Hotel Mountain Brook?

A warm and relaxed atmosphere with personalized service will make you feel like you’re in someone’s home but with all the modern hotel comforts!

Tell us about your seasonal programming. What types of events, if any, do you host?

Rather than creating events to attract guests, we rely on our deep hospitality roots to appeal to upstate travelers looking for a quality stay. While we offer nightly fire pits with complimentary s’mores and fireside blankets, seasonally rotating local spirits at our bar and a curated book + movie selection available anytime; we consider these offerings part of the experience. We participate in Letters Against Isolation, providing postcards for guests who want to write to isolated seniors in Upstate NY during their stay.

Ryan cooks up a creative breakfast every morning and we both enjoy hanging out with our guests in the lounge, sharing drinks, stories and laughs. Our programming approach is authentic hospitality in its simplest form of connection.

What impact does Hotel Mountain Brook have on your community?

We employ local community members, partner with local fundraisers and charities, collaborate with local businesses, host chamber meetings and have a working Land Acknowledgement of the original stewards of Tannersville, the Mohicans.

What are some of your favorite local places?

Tannersville is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! Some of our favorite spots include hiking to Artist’s Rock and Sunset Rock in North-South Lake State Park, catching some sun (and fish) at Colgate Lake, and skiing the slopes at Hunter Mountain. After a day outside, we love sipping a cocktail by the fire at Deer Mountain Inn, grabbing dinner at Jessie’s Harvest House, and catching a live show and snack at Last Chance Antiques + Cheese.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

We are big sports fans (Go ‘Noles!) and wish we had a sports bar on the mountaintop!

What can we expect from Hotel Mountain Brook in 2024?

Ryan is currently drawing up plans to build a yoga pavilion on the property and we hope to start offering classes soon!

What is your current state of mind?

It’s sad that ski season is over, but we’re looking forward to some epic hikes we have planned for the summer!!

Photos courtesy of Hotel Mountain Brook

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Book your stay > HERE.

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