Scribners Expands Luxury Accommodations with The Rounds

HUNTER — The newly reformed Hunter Chamber of Commerce (HCOC) has been hard at work highlighting fresh business ventures on the mountaintop. In less than a week, they held their second ribbon-cutting, celebrating The Rounds at Scribner's Catskill Lodge, a new luxury accommodation option that is turning heads.

Scribner's Catskill Lodge, a historic site built in the 1880s as the Hunter Mountain Prospect House, has undergone many transformations. In the late 1960s, it became Scribner's Motor Lodge before being purchased and redesigned in 2017 by a Brooklyn-based design and development group specializing in hospitality. The Lodge has expanded its offerings with The Rounds, a collection of circular dwellings that blend nature and modern luxury. Located just up the street on Scribner Hollow Road, these unique structures sit on an old quarry site.

Marc Chodock, managing partner of Escape Hospitality, expressed his excitement for the new addition. "We're excited – it's a very different experience for our guests, and we hope they'll enjoy it. The Rounds provide the beauty aspects of nature up here in the Catskills," he said. The concept was inspired by the region's history of bungalows and cabin stays but with a modern twist. "It was really trying to figure out how to do that in a more modern sense," said Chodock, noting the growing popularity of Tiny Houses. "We wanted to come up with something different and special."

The Rounds are named after their architectural style—circular dwellings, though technically dodecagons (12-sided polygons), as explained by Jade Sinskul, marketing manager at Escape Hospitality. Currently, there are 11 Rounds, with plans for a 12th. The units range from 550 to 795 square feet and offer a range of amenities, including private decks, Japanese soaking tubs, and outdoor showers. One unit is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Each Round provides a captivating experience, merging indoor luxury with the natural surroundings. The larger suites feature king beds, 360-degree circular sunken sofas, and reading nooks, while the smaller units offer similar comforts on a slightly smaller scale. Both include outdoor and indoor bathing experiences, with the oculus at the center of the roof allowing for stargazing.

Hunter Chamber of Commerce President Ryan Penny praised the new addition. "We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of The Rounds at Scribner's, a beautiful extension of their hospitality offering here in the Town of Hunter. It really represents an extension of a mountaintop-leading hospitality experience. We're happy to celebrate with them and highlight this new offering, and a new way to visit our community and see everything else we have to offer."

Penny shared that the Chamber, re-formed earlier this year, has been steadily growing. "We have about 67 members of the Chamber, and we have been adding more as businesses find out about us. We're excited to continue growing and supporting the business community in the Town of Hunter."

Since opening in February, The Rounds has offered a distinctive way for guests to enjoy the beauty of the Catskills. Guests check in at Scribner's and receive a map and keys to their Round. The path to the Rounds is a short five-minute walk, though there's also a shuttle for guests, especially during the winter when the path is closed.

Sinskul noted that guests can also explore a one-mile hiking trail on the property, further enhancing the outdoor experience.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Rounds drew more than 30 attendees, making it the most well-attended HCOC event to date. Chodock summed up the essence of The Rounds by saying, "The whole idea is to let guests walk into their accommodations and look at nature."

The Rounds' design was crafted by Post Company, an award-winning multidisciplinary firm with offices in Brooklyn and Jackson, Wyoming. Post Company focuses on creating elegant and functional spaces, a philosophy evident in every detail of The Rounds.

Located at 13 Scribner Hollow Road in Hunter, you can contact Scribner's by calling (518) 628-5130 or visiting www.scribnerslodge.com.

With the success of The Rounds, Scribner's continues to set the standard for boutique hospitality in the Catskills, offering visitors a truly unique experience in the heart of nature.