Starwood Hotels has unveiled plans to develop 1 Hotel & Homes Hudson Valley, a resort and residential project on the shore of Fifth Lake in Ulster County, N.Y.
The hotel is expected to open in 2028 while residential units will be available for purchase starting later this year.
The development will span 775 acres at the foothills of the Catskill mountains, featuring three lakes, orchards, caves and extensive walking trails.
“At 1 Hotels, we believe that true luxury is living in harmony with nature. With 1 Hotel & Homes Hudson Valley, we are creating a place where people will slow down, reconnect with what matters, and discover the beauty of the natural world all over again,” Barry Sternlicht, founder of 1 Hotels and chairman of Starwood Hotels, said in a statement. “This project is particularly meaningful to me because it’s in the region of the country where I grew up. I’ve long wanted to create an extraordinary destination just 90 minutes from New York City, and easily accessible from Westchester and Fairfield counties.”
The site has a rich history. Once home to the Williams Lake Hotel, a storied Borscht Belt destination dating back to the 1920s, the land has long been a place of gathering and recreation. Today, under the stewardship of Hudson River Valley Resorts, LLC and its principal, Richard Steele, the property is being carefully reimagined to honor its past while preserving its ecological integrity. More than 500 acres have been dedicated to conservation as a nature preserve, ensuring that the remote character of this land will be protected for generations.
“This project represents a vision many years in the making,” said Steele. “From the beginning, our mission has been to safeguard the land, honor its rich history, and sustainably create a place where people can live, gather, and connect with nature in meaningful ways. Partnering with 1 Hotels and an incredibly talented architectural team enables us to bring that mission to life at the highest level, with a brand whose values perfectly align with the integrity and ambition of this unique landscape.”
“It was clear from the first site tour that this property offered an extraordinary opportunity to create something truly meaningful in the Hudson Valley, an area defined by natural beauty, unique character, and proximity to New York City,” said Development Manager John Woodruff of JAG Development Corp. “The 1 Hotel & Homes ethos perfectly reflects our vision for the land, and when paired with Starwood Hotels’ operational track record, we knew this was the right partnership. The result will be a timeless destination rooted in nature, wellness, and sustainability that will redefine how people experience this remarkable region.”
The resort will have approximately 100 guestrooms and suites. In keeping with 1 Hotels’ signature biophilic ethos, the property will blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor, with natural textures, reclaimed materials, and views that frame the surrounding lakes and mountains. The master plan, interior design, architecture, and landscape architecture are being led by the global design firm, ODA, in collaboration with Starwood Hotels’ internal design team. Starwood’s design team will also partner with DesignAgency on the F&B interiors, bringing a distinctive, nature-led approach to the restaurant and bar experiences.