Holy Cross Monastery is just that -- the historic mother house of an order of Episcopalian monks. I visited there for retreats a number of times, particularly when I was a seminarian (which was longer ago than the date above). But anyone is welcome, even those whose purpose isn't especially religious. The setting, in the Hudson valley, is beautiful; and the dining room (at least at times in the past) was managed by a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, which is just across the river. Sleeping accommodations are what you'd expect from a monastery, austere but comfortable. Guests are welcome at all liturgies, of which there are five per day.
Aside from the chapel, a library, and a gift shop, there isn't much to do on-site. That's fine if your purpose is prayer! For everyone else, the area has antiquing, outdoor activities like hiking, and so on.
For what this is -- a religious retreat house -- this is one of the better ones you'll find.
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Date of stay: January 2002
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Trip type: Travelled solo
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I just returned from my 6th or 7th visit. True, this is not technically a hotel but it's a phenomenal place with great hospitality. It's a guesthouse and it is part of a Benedictine order of Episcopal (Anglican) monks. The Benedictines are renowned for their hospitality. There are towels and wash cloths and wonderful bathroom facilities. There are single rooms with comfortable beds with sheets and pillows and blankets; no dorms with multiple beds. Rooms are spartan but decorative and functional and many have full views of the river and the sloped hill leading down to it. There are no TVs and no air-conditioning (there are fans in each room), however there is air-conditioning in the dining hall and in most of the meeting rooms. There is complete silence from 8:30 p.m. (after Compline--a type of religious service) to 8:30 a.m. (after breakfast, which, other than on Sundays, is simple with cereal, yogurt, juice, bread, oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes quiche). Dinner at 12:30 is the big gourmet meal and then at 6 p.m. there is a lighter supper.
You are never pressured to attend services, and you can come and go at your leisure. There is no curfew and all are welcome. There is a suggested per night donation, but you may pay as you wish. The grounds are gorgeous any time of year with many nature trails within a short, vigorous walk. It is remote (Poughkeepsie is a $20 taxi ride away), but it is incredibly restful and attracts very kind and interesting people with whom you may converse with a little, a lot, or not at all. There are a few restaurants within walking distance, but you will not need them. The Monastery chef is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America just across the Hudson River and to the south. Gourmet meals of shrimp and skirt steak and creamy polenta and garlic mashed potatoes. There is a fantastic hot breakfast on Sunday mornings. Breakfasts are taken in silence which can be a beautiful experience with the sun rising across the Hudson. Sometimes there are silen retreats there all week, so if the prospect of being quiet at all times freaks you out, ask prior to booking if there is a silent retreat planned for when you will be there. If you have a car, there are many wonders to explore all over the place on both sides of the Hudson. You have the Vanderbilt Hyde Park mansion and FDR's Hyde Park compound on the east side of the river (the Vanderbilt place is within view of many of the rooms at Holy Cross as well as from the dining hall, or refectory). You can drive to New Paltz (only 6 miles away) or up the east side of the Hudson to Rhinebeck or the Livingston-Mills Mansion. For those without a car, like me, take Metro-North from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie (a lovely ride; make sure to sit on the left--west-facing--side of the train) and then get a taxi to the Monastery. Pay no more that $20 with a $2 tip. Some of the guys will try to rip you off so caveat emptor: it's $20 for the first person and $2 for each additional person. On the way back from the Monastery, if you make friends and collect a group of 4 pp going to the train, it's only $25 for the 4 of you (not including tip) with JFK taxi.
The terrace facing the river off the main gathering room (where there is always a jigsaw puzzle in the works) is a great place to sit in a rocker with a cup of coffee or a piece of fruit (available all day for free or a donation just outside the refectory) and stare out at the passing ships. In the hot weather don't be shy about walking down to the river and jumping in.
It's a great place to do absolutely nothing or work or read a book or just listen to what the universe or, if you are so inclined, the Lord is telling you. The services are very relaxing with chant and some more elaborate services and eucharist. All they ask is that you be respectful, be contemplative, and come hungry.
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Date of stay: June 2014
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Get something in the main house, facing the river and not too close to the elevator. If you are...
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For the second year in a row my family has spend New Years weekend at Holy Cross Monastery. The accommodation is simple and comfortable. The food is out of this world. The monks have a ministry of hospitality and they welcome one and all. The religious services are optional and I spent most of the weekend enjoying the views of the Hudson, the silence, my book and the wonderful food. If you want a unique break from the rat race this is the place for you. The cost of the room (which is very reasonable) inclues all meals making this an excellent value.
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Date of stay: December 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Ask for a river view room if you can.
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This is a wonderful place to go if you just want tog get away and relax for a few days. The food is surprisingly great, there is always plenty of coffee available and the religious services are short and relaxing. If you do not want to go to services, that is fine also, nobody tries to push you to go or to convert you. There is also wifi available. Not the place to go if you are looking for tennis courts, bars and/or gambling.
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Date of stay: October 2016
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â try to get a room overlooking the river
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This place is a Benedictine monastery in the Episcopal tradition with a guest house that hosts group and individual retreats. I went there as part of my church's Men's Group retreat this past fall and it was the most peaceful and relaxing weekend I had experienced in a very long time. This will definitely be a place I will visit at least once a year. It is typically open from Tuesday through lunch on Sunday and most retreats seem to run from Friday afternoon through Sunday lunch.
The rooms are simple and functional, bed, desk and chair and comfy lounge type chair, couple of lamps and a clock, simple dresser and small closet. There is heat but no a/c, something to keep in mind for summer visits. The bathrooms are communal in the sense that there are several in the center of the guesthouse but each is private. There are several communal rooms, a large library for reading and relaxing, a round dining hall with a great view of the river and of course, the chapel, and all are connected so one never has to step foot outside if one does not wish. The grounds are worth a walk though. The food is mostly simple but very tasty as their chef is a graduate of the Culinary institute of America and there's always coffee/tea/water available.
The brothers are as diverse as society, some more outgoing, others more reserved, all are friendly. It was a joy to watch all of their services but one is not required to attend any of them. They do observe the "greater silence" from 8:30pm to 8:30am and ask that guests do the same. It was rather refreshing to eat breakfast in silence. One's purpose to stay there doesn't even have to be particularly religious. We shared our weekend with a ball room dancing retreat!
This place is a great getaway from everyday life, simple, peaceful, spiritual
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Date of stay: November 2014
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Holy Cross is a monastery, not a hotel. Many varies spiritual programs are offered in the spring, summer and fall, and I would highly recommend any of them. The monastery itself is large and comfortable with multiple site where retreat participants can sit quietly and think, meditate, pray or just enjoy the lovely views of the Hudson. Rooms at Holy Cross are quite simple, but comfortable. Come prepared to pull your own towels from the laundry room rack, and make your own bed, and re-make it with fresh linens when you leave. The meals here are fairly simple, but delicious; many of the herbs and seasonings come from the monks' own garden. Remember, this is a religious site, and the Great Silence (8pm-8 am) is strictly enforced. Guests are welcome to attend any or all of the five services held during the day. $310.00 included room, board and workshop fees for four days.
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Date of stay: May 2016
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Trip type: Travelled solo
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The hospitality of the monks of Holy Cross is well known and well deserved. Staying in their guest quarters, worshiping in their chapel, eating with them in the refectory, chatting with a brother or two during recreation is well worth one's time. A phone call to the Guest House master is all it will take. The rest is a monastery at its best and located on a hill overlooking the west side of the Hudson River.
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Date of stay: December 2015
Location
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rooms are far from austere - they are simple. The views from many are unparalleled, and from most of the house and grounds. Food was delicious. Monks are friendly, and the gift shop had a nice selection of books, cards, chocolates, jewelry, and religious items. Internet is strong, for those who can't get away from it. Having a chance to listen to monks chant is a special opportunity.
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Date of stay: September 2015
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I spent three days at the Holy Cross Monastery in January. I needed some time away for reflection to establish my goals for the coming year. The HCM was the perfect place for that kind of time away.
It is not a hotel. While the guestrooms are comfortable and the food is nourishing, it is not what you would find at a commercial hotel, it is more humble--but perfectly clean and comfortable.
The quiet is relaxing and the sacred atmosphere that permeates the space is restful and restorative.
There are rules for staying at the HCM, they are posted on the website. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with them prior to arriving.
I highly recommend the HCM to anyone who is looking for some time away from the fast pace of life!
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Date of stay: January 2019
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First of all, this is a lovely place with beautiful views of the Hudson River and a small neo-romanesque church that is serene in its simple beauty. That is where on several Sunday afternoons throughout the Fall to Spring season choral concerts are being held as part of a small service. Often these concert include a Bach Cantata with a small instrument ensemble. These concerts are free, although a donation is asked for (and well worth it!). Sometimes the small church fills up, so it is good to come early. See the monasteries website for times and program.
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Date of stay: October 2018
Rooms
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
New York City, New York1,690 contribution952 helpful votes
"Get something in the main house, facing the river and not too close to the elevator. If you are a couple, request St. Benedict (all the rooms are named after saints)."
There are more places to choose from in the West Park area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
holy cross monastery hotel west park
LOCATION
United StatesNew YorkCatskill RegionWest Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
42
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HOLY CROSS MONASTERY - Hotel Reviews (West Park, NY)
Frequently Asked Questions about Holy Cross Monastery
Which popular attractions are close to Holy Cross Monastery?
Nearby attractions include Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum (4.2 km), Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site (4.3 km), and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (6.6 km).
