No matter the time of year, a weekend getaway can feel special in every season. A place that’s not too far from home, but just far enough, is Kingston, New York. Recently, our team had the chance to explore Hotel Kinsley in uptown Kingston, NY + its surrounding area. From a winter + cozy feel to a transition to spring, and from a mini outdoor vacation over the summer to soak up the last of fall’s perfect weather, New Jerseyians can make a weekend getaway work all year long. Keep reading to learn more about the luxury boutique hotel in Kingston, New York.

About Hotel Kinsley

Hotel Kinsley is about an hour-and-40-minute drive from the Montclair area by car. It is available by taking the Garden State Parkway to Routes 17, 287, + 87 to get to NY state. Once in New York, drivers can take Route 28. For those who need to take public transit, it is possible to reach the Kingston Area through a series of NJTransit + Amtrack trains. It is more feasible to travel via car, and passengers can travel throughout uptown, midtown, + downtown with ease.

Read More: A Trip to New Jersey’s 2nd Largest Museum: Morris Museum

Hotel Kinsley is one hotel spread across four buildings. Each building has its own personality and style, and there are 42 rooms in total. The Wall Street building, the first building the Hotel acquired, was originally the State Bank of New York and holds rooms with more modern finishes. It is also the space that holds the hotel’s complimentary breakfast + restaurant which is open to the public for lunch + dinner. Fair Street differs from the other buildings as it has rotating local art and also has ADA rooms available (guests should call ahead to inquire further about these rooms).

Pearl Street is one of the last buildings acquired by Hotel Kinsley. It has modern finishes and holds a lounge on the main floor, as well as a gym, massage room, + inferred sauna. The John Street building is a colonial cottage-style building that houses suite rooms for guests. There are seven rooms within the John Street building, in addition to an annex behind it. This annex can be reserved upon request and has two lounges, a kitchenette, and a half bath, making it a great spot for a child’s birthday party or a bride to get ready on her special day.

Hotel Kinsley is a space for all who love colonial-style architecture, contemporary art, + modern finishes. The buildings were established between the 17th + 19th centuries and some have gone through renovations. Much of the hotel’s artwork, including its crest and stunning watercolor art throughout the buildings, was created by Brooklyn-based artist Happy Menocal. The hotel’s crest is broken into four quadrants, each of which represents one of the buildings. The motifs are represented again in each building via a custom carpet design for each building: checkerboard in 301 Wall, lightning bolt in 41 Pearl, green leaf in 270 Fair, and scallop in 24 John.

Hotel Kinsley Local Collaborations

LOLA | 243 Fair Street, Kingston

Hotel Kinsley is associated with LOLA Restaurant + Cafe on Fair Street. LOLA has options available for appetizers, pastas, pizzas, + more. Our team recommends the Calamari (flash fried, with zucchini, + spicy aioli) or the Sauteed Escarole (with garlic, lemon, + white wine) to begin the meal. Then, move on to the Tiger Paw Pizza (with pepperoni, tomato sauce, provolone, mozzarella, onion, + chili honey).

Assembly | 236 Wall Street, Kingston

Hotel Kinsley works in conjunction with The Assembly. Located on Wall Street, this space provides events in its venue space which can hold up to 450 people standing. Some events available for attendees are Josh Ritter, Beth Stelling, + Hudson Valley Burlesque Bash. While Assembly mainly runs ticketed events, Hotel Kinsley provides private events in this space like weddings, bar mitzvahs, + more.

The Menu

Restaurant Kinsley is attached to the Wall Street building. The restaurant is open to the public for lunch + dinner. There is also a bar on the other side of the restaurant serving hand-crafted cocktails to customers. MG recommends starting the evening by ordering a cocktail like Bahamian (coconut-washed Pineapple Rum, Rittenhouse Rye, Pineapple Liqueur, + Absinthe Rinse) or an It’s Not My Fault I’m Happy (Tequila, mezcal, fernet, peach, + lime).

The main dining room provides a colorful atmosphere to try the Lamb Meatball (with romesco, + mint), the Lentil Tacos (black lentils, feta, avocado, pickled onion, + salsa verde), or the Smashburger (on a potato roll with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, secret sauce, + pickles, served with fries).

See More: A Trip to Readington Brewery + Hop Farm in Neshanic Station, NJ

Places To Explore

While the features of Hotel Kinsley provide guests with plenty of time for rest + relaxation, there are also things to do in uptown Kingston worth exploring. For those who appreciate the dive bar scene, check out the Saltbox Bar on Crown Street. For great cocktails + nibbles with an old-timey feel, stop by Stockade Tavern on Fair Street to enjoy intimate lighting and sit at tables made from sewing machines.

For a sweet treat, try stopping in Sweet Maresa’s Bakery for a cup of coffee + a French macaroon or a shortbread cookie. Music lovers should visit Rhino Records or Rocket Number Nine Records to check out a large selection of new + old vinyl. A must-see for a history buff is the Senate House + Museum nearby.