Next week will mark 3 months of marriage! Where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday we were driving through the Berkshires eager to see our friends and family before the big day. Now that the fairytale feeling of being married is slowly starting to simmer down, I figured it was time to write about our intimate and romantic minimoon at Wildflower Farms. You’re in for whiskey tasting, meadow hiking, flower picking, fireplace relaxing, ziplining, cute farm animals, and some of the best food we’ve ever had.

What is a minimoon? It’s a mini-honeymoon, and it’s getting more common every year. Many couples who want to do something small and special while saving up for the big official honeymoon will elect to do a minimoon. My husband and I just so happened to be flying out of JFK a few days after our wedding and figured – why not stop in Hudson Valley for a few nights before returning to Curacao?

You all know how I feel about Auberge Resorts, having gushed about our incredible Christmas stay at the White Barn Inn in Maine previously. I have high expectations for Auberge Resorts, and ever since Wildflower Farms was announced I kept my eye on the property. Did Wildflower Farms live up to my expectations? Keep reading to find out! (Note: I booked this stay as a regular traveler, not a travel agent! You’ll read about the perks I received which all my clients who book with me always receive too.)

Location

Wildflower Farms is located a little over 2 hours driving from New York City, depending on traffic. If you’re anything like us, add another hour to get to JFK! The drive to the Hudson Valley involves picturesque landscapes of rolling hills, lush forests, and the majestic Hudson River. Rich in history, art, and farm-to-table dining, Hudson Valley boasts quaint towns, scenic wineries, and vibrant cultural attractions that capture the essence of upstate New York.

The location of the property is beautifully set in the middle of Hudson Valley, not far from the Mohonk Preserve. There are a number of cute towns nearby and the check-in staff provide each guest with an area guide upon arrival. The guide breaks down nearby areas for shopping, wineries/breweries, arts and culture, farm stands, antiquing, and self-guided hikes. You couldn’t ask for a better location!

First Impressions

We were “oohing” and “aahing” the whole scenic drive to get to the property, and that didn’t stop when we arrived. As we drove past the Wildflower Farms sign, we passed a cute little truck advertising the farm shop on property. We soon realized that the “farm” part of Wildflower Farms was not just for show, it’s an actual working farm that we drove past to get to the lobby.

The hotel is set in a valley with large hills in the distance and lush meadows for days. We pulled in front of the lobby and were eventually attended to by the valet (this is included in the resort fee!) who escorted us to the check-in desk. To get to the lobby, you need to walk through the Great Porch – the jaw-dropping open-air gathering area/lounge with a massive gas fire pit and views of the valley beyond. We’ll get back to that later!

Upon checking in we received our first perk: a welcome drink. We were given the choice of a non-alcoholic juice or an alcoholic lavender concoction in an apothecary-type bottle. We chose the latter. Our second perk was an upgrade to the next category: the Meadow Cottage. You’ll read why this was an incredible upgrade further down! Last, but certainly not least, we received an early check-in perk and were able to access our room by 2:30 PM instead of the normal 4:00 PM. This is why it’s so important to book with a travel agent that can get you perks!

Since Wildflower Farms has a large focus on wellness, it’s no surprise that part of the check-in process includes a handwashing ritual. As we received our maps and welcome drinks, we were asked to participate in a handwashing ritual we were told represents the farmers washing off their stress of the day and setting their intentions for the evening. I was given sea salt and an organic hand soap to wash my hands, and it smelled like oranges on a hot summer day. This was not the only ritual we experienced at Wildflower Farms – you’ll read about another one further down.

Style

I would describe the style of the property as rustic luxury and almost Scandinavian in its minimalist design. I’ve heard Wildflower Farms referred to as glamping, but it couldn’t be further from it. Trust me, I’ve stayed at glamping icon Under Canvas Grand Canyon and we didn’t even have hot water there. No, this property is luxurious, and you’ll find that reflected in the plush bedding, huge free standing bathtubs, heated stone floors, and beautiful furniture pieces.

Rooms

There are a total 65 freestanding cabins on property, and basically only 4 categories to choose from. You have your entry-level Bower Cabin, mid-level Meadow Cottage and Ridge Cottage, and finally the Ridge Suite. The main difference between these categories is the view, although the Bower Cabin is a bit smaller than the other cottages. For families, it’s important to note that there are two Meadow Cottages with an interconnecting hallway that could work. Otherwise, the Ridge Suite would be the most spacious option.

We booked the Bower Cabin and got upgraded to the Meadow Cottage, and we were so grateful. I toured the Bower Cabin and while it was cozy and private facing the woods, we much preferred the brightness and the open meadow views of the Meadow Cottage. The Bower Cabin also doesn’t have a fireplace or soaking tub which we were really wanting. I will say that the Bower Cabin is an excellent choice for couples looking for privacy and wanting a luxurious cabin experience.

The Meadow Cottage was excellent for us as we were facing the meadow that guests would cut through to get to the Great House. This meant great opportunities for people-watching and critter-watching on our private deck. Our cottage was a spacious 650 sq ft. and came furnished with heated floors, dual vanities, a soaking tub, rain shower, gas fireplace, and private deck. We loved how many windows were built into the cottage!

Some special callouts that I loved: a farmer’s hat and canvas tote were hanging on the wall for our outdoor use, massage oil was left in the bathroom along with lavender scented bath salts, a glass jar with herb scissors were left for foraging wildflowers, and bird books with binoculars were lovingly placed on the table. We were left a beautiful welcome amenity of sparkling wine with dried apple slices from the farm and a personal note from the team (4th perk!).

Amenities

Wildflower Farms was meant for staying put and enjoying the plethora of amenities. This is one of the many reasons we chose this location for a minimoon. We wanted to take time after the craziness of the wedding to enjoy nature in a peaceful environment. This hotel fit the bill perfectly as we took advantage of their many amenities.

For starters, they have two outdoor hot tubs, an indoor heated pool, and a heated outdoor pool (seasonal). The hot tubs face the beautiful hills in the distance. There are also several hiking trails on the property ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. One of the trails goes past the farm where guests can say hi to the farm animals. Another trail goes through a “Natural Playground” with swings and ziplines. Fitness fiends will find a well-equipped gym, pond-facing yoga studio, tennis courts, and pickleball courts as well.

There is a weekly program that guests are given upon check-in that shows activities happening on the farm, both included and costing an additional fee. Some of the complimentary activities included: farm animal feeding sessions, Vinyasa Flow class, farm sessions tours, meditation and breathwork classes, and evening music sessions called “Great Porch Sounds”. I know the animal feed sessions were popular as guests were able to collect eggs from the chickens and bring them to the kitchens for breakfast. While we didn’t participate in the weekly programming, we did enjoy self-guided hikes around the property and the many fire pits in the evening.

One of the amenities we didn’t take advantage of during this visit was the car borrowing program. Wildflower Farms has 4 Mercedes SUVs on property (2 of which are electric!) that can be taken out for a few hours by guests. This would be great to pair with the area activities! We were perfectly content to stay on the property and enjoy every moment.

Spa

The Thistle Spa at Wildflower Farms is one of the most coveted amenities on property, so much that it’s even open to outside guests. Outside visitors can only book treatments from Monday through Thursday, but I highly recommend hotel guests make their spa reservations far in advance. There are only 6 treatment rooms in total, one of which is made for couples and includes a shower and tub in the room.

The spa also includes access to an indoor heated pool, dry sauna, and steam room. This area seems to be more adult-oriented as there are specific hours where families are allowed in the spa pool. You’ll also find amenities such as lavender scented towels, bone broth, and a seasonal hot beverage like apple cider in carafes around the spa. There is a boutique shop in the spa lobby selling a small sampling of cute clothes, skincare items, and aromatherapy products.

Activities

If there’s one thing you should take away from reading this blog post, it’s that Auberge Resorts Collection does activities well. They go above and beyond in creating interesting and unique activity offerings that are authentic to the area. You can find a list of curated activities on their website, and keep in mind they change with the seasons. A few of the activities that caught our eye included the Botanic Mixology Class, Focaccia Class, and Fall Picnic.

Ultimately, the Single-Barrel Whiskey Tasting at Tuthilltown Distillery spoke to us the most, and we’re so glad we went.

Whiskey Tasting Activity

The whiskey tasting was just a 10-minute walk away on their aptly-named “Whiskey Trail” which led us right to the entrance of the Tuthilltown Distillery. We sat down at the old-timey bar and each ordered some whiskey cocktails and took in the old machinery tucked away in the corners.

We were then met by our super cool tour guide who took us on an hour long tour of the distillery explaining the entire process from grain to spirit. The machinery was daunting but interesting to learn about. During the tour process, the guide took out a tool called a “thief” and took whiskey directly from the barrels for some tastings. We discussed the difference in flavors based on the barrels and different ages.

After the tour, we were escorted to a private part of the bar where we then had an exclusive (i.e. for Wildflower Farm guests only) whiskey tasting with five of their whiskeys, one of which was not available to the public. We were each given a flavor wheel to describe what we were tasting, and a water dropper for opening the flavors of the whiskey. We walked away with a Tuthilltown Distillery tote bag and a mini bottle of whiskey to take home. It was an excellent activity!

Restaurants

So technically there is one main restaurant on property serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That restaurant is called Clay, and I say technically because you can opt to have your Clay breakfast or dinner on The Great Porch just outside. However, The Great Porch has their own light bites menu separate from Clay. I have to say, to this day we are still talking about how good the food was at Clay. There is also a seasonal bar by the pool called Dew Bar that serves drinks and light bites when the pool is open.

We were originally worried that eating at the same restaurant two nights in a row would be boring, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The menu is full of various small bites that pack huge flavorful punches. It would take us at least a week to try everything on the menu!

Taking this directly from the mouth of my husband, Clay is “like a luxury barn meets nice bar”. We were surrounded by earthy tones and wood textures and a grand crackling fireplace in the center of the dining room. There were also a beautiful woven tapestries hanging with odes to the area’s animals and local foliage. The lighting was dim and the vibe was very chic. We could spot the city folk from a mile away as they were often wearing stylish hats and starting at everyone who entered the restaurant to see if they knew them.

I cannot emphasize enough how amazing the food tasted. The first evening we ordered a few small plates to start: sun-dried tomato milk bread with a miso butter, ricotta gnocchi with mushrooms, and a steamed egg with truffle and parmesan. We also shared a wood fired chicken with roasted vegetables from the farm. Drool!

The second evening we had to go back for that milk bread. My husband ordered the chicken pate and beef tartare for himself while I ordered the panzanella salad and an extremely cheesy mushroom risotto. My one regret is not trying any of the dessert at Clay, but we were so full each night (and we had wedding cake in the room hehe) that we couldn’t make it happen. Note: you can order smores kits to take to the fire pits for after dinner! They’ll box it up and hand you the roasting sticks.

Service

I’m not going to lie, I took a little peek at TripAdvisor before booking Wildflower Farms and saw a few reviews that called out the unexceptional service they experienced. Like I tell my clients though, reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt and I’m so glad I went ahead because the service we encountered was wonderful.

From the moment we arrived, every staff member we walked by would say hello. We were congratulated on our recent marriage more times than I could count. We got into conversations with staff members about bees, food, Curacao, you name it. Even with a hiccup at the end of our stay when the valet didn’t collect the bags from our room, it was rectified immediately and a personal apology was given to us.

Unlike our stay at The Newbury Boston where housekeeping missed our room on a few days, Wildflower Farms housekeeping was on point. They always tidied up the room when we were away during the day, and turned down the room while we were at dinner. I mentioned the hand washing ritual upon check-in, however during turndown we received two other rituals: a lavender balm recover ritual, and a grounding ritual card. I absolutely love these special touches!

Who Would I Send Here?

I think the better question would be who wouldn’t I send here? I often feel that hotels are made with a certain type of guest in mind, which is why I always say there is no such thing as a bad hotel. Hotels know who they’re made for (mostly). However, Wildflower Farms is an exception in that a lot of guests would enjoy the experience here. It’s couple-friendly, solo-friendly, family-friendly (boy did we see a lot of babymooners!), and even pet-friendly. Here’s who I would send to Wildflower Farms:

• Fans of the Auberge Resorts Collection
• Guests who don’t mind the 2-ish hour drive to get here from NYC
• Families who want a luxury cabin experience with plenty of low-impact activities for kids
• Couples who want to experience a quiet getaway immersed in nature
• Travelers who appreciate an emphasis on wellness and spa treatments
• Foodies looking to have incredible meals at Clay
• Tourists eager to explore the cute towns around Hudson Valley
• Guests who enjoy uniquely curated hands on activities
• Luxury travelers looking to spend a minimum of $800+ per night

If a client came up to me saying they didn’t care about nature or wellness and are used to staying in properties with a more traditional luxury experience, I wouldn’t send them here. It’s worth mentioning that New York experiences all four seasons so I wouldn’t send anyone here in the fall/winter/spring who hated cold temperatures, though I imagine the property is magical when it’s snowing.

Exclusive Perks

Have you been keeping count of the perks I received during my stay? To be honest, I’ve even lost count. Let’s recap them here. Since I booked this stay as a regular traveler, the way I would book my own clients, I received the following perks for the same cost as the Best Available Rate published online:

• Room upgraded from Bower Cabin to Meadow Cottage
• Early check-in (2:30 PM instead of 4 PM)
• Late check-out (1:00 PM instead of 11:00 AM)
• Daily breakfast credit of $30 per person
• $100 resort credit (used towards our whiskey tasting)
• VIP In-Room welcome amenity (sparkling wine, dried apples, note)
• A welcome drink (lavender spirit)

These perks usually come with a higher status compared to a regular booking without perks. This means better service and more attention paid to reservations. Why not make your bookings with a luxury travel agent? You’re leaving value on the table when you book yourself!

Final Thoughts

Maybe I’m biased because I stayed here after I just got married, but I really enjoyed my stay at Wildflower Farms. I usually love Auberge Resorts having also stayed at White Barn Inn and Malliouhana (they’re no longer Auberge) previously, and Wildflower Farms reaffirmed my love for the collection.

I highly recommend anyone interested in a relaxing getaway to consider a stay here. I stayed for 2 nights, but I feel like 3 nights would’ve been the perfect amount of time. I would recommend an even longer time if you planned on taking the car out and exploring Hudson Valley.

The beauty of Wildflower Farms is that there is so much to do on and off property but you don’t have to do any of it. You can have just as much fun holing up in your cottage and watching the birds fly by or watching the stars in front of the fire pits. With incredible service, amazing food, and beautiful surroundings, Wildflower Farms should be on your radar.

Have you been to Wildflower Farms before? Let me know in the comments below!