The Stone House Bed & Breakfast

The Stone House Bed & Breakfast at the Cornelis Kool House, Hurley NY, is an early 18th century Hudson Valley Dutch estate, with architectural features dating back to the original Dutch settlement of the New Netherlands. It is possibly the oldest house in New York State that you can actually stay in, dating from circa 1700.

Centrally Situated in the Mid-Hudson Valley

We are nestled in the peaceful countryside of the Esopus valley, by the historic village of Hurley, a National Historic Landmark. We are perfectly situated to explore both sides of the Hudson River, the Shawangunks or the Catskills.

Both the popular tourist destinations of Woodstock and Rhinebeck are just an 18 minute drive away. Explore the historic Rondout in Kingston and take a river cruise up the Hudson (a 10 minute drive), discover the enchanting lighthouse at Saugerties (16 minutes), go antiques shopping in High Falls (12 minutes), or take in a concert at the amazing Fisher Center at Bard College (19 minutes) - whether you choose to go sight-seeing or just walk a local trail, this area has a wealth of experiences to offer you. At six minutes from the New York State Thruway and less than two hours drive from New York City it's fast and affordable to reach this beautiful region.

Six Acres of Gardens and Woods, as well as Local Walks and Trails

The Cornelis Kool House is set in six acres of gardens and woodlands fronting the Esopus Creek, which runs down from the Catskill Mountains and into the Hudson River at Saugerties. The covered porch, bluestone patio, as well as, benches and picnic tables provide ideal spots to relax and enjoy the view across the Esopus valley to the mountains of the Catskill State Park.

We are right on the Delaware and Hudson Canal Heritage Corridor, with 2 miles of a paved trail to the northeast and 7 miles of a woodland walking/cycling trail to the southeast, to High Falls. (There you could choose from many places to eat, explore the shops, or visit the Canal Museum).

When the State University of New York at New Paltz conducted an archeaological dig on the land they found Native American artifacts dating back to 2000 BCE. This site has been continuously occupied since that time, first by the Esopus Indians and then, from the late 1600s, by the Dutch colonists, as they moved up the Hudson Valley. Sitting in our garden you can sense why the site is so naturally attractive - the river, the mountains and the woods seem to have their own special energy.

The Stone House Bed & Breakfast is the Perfect Four Season Getaway

All stays include a gourmet, three course breakfast. For example: Homemade granola and organic yogurt, zucchini frittata, and Belgian waffles with whipped cream. Or muesli with fresh fruit, potato pancakes and bacon, and nutmeg muffins with baked bananas and lemon sauce. Homegrown, local and organically grown ingredients are used wherever possible. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or preferences. Parking space for one car is provided for each room. More is available if you are arriving in two cars - please let us know so we can reserve this for you.

Rooms either have en-suite bathroom facilities, or a separate private bathroom. All bathrooms have showers as well as bathtubs, and some en-suites have whirlpools - please see individual room descriptions. All rooms include high-quality linens and most have four-poster canopy beds. Rooms are spacious and uncluttered, and all have tables and chairs, nightstands and chests of drawers/armoires. Some rooms also have sofas. All rooms have views of the grounds and surrounding rural landscape.

The grounds include a picnic table and benches, a wooden swing seat, a herb garden and a walk through walnut trees to the creek below. There is a large living room available for use with a library, and games (including a croquet set!)

In 1609 Henry Hudson was the first European to sail up what is now known as the Hudson River on an expedition for the Dutch East India Company. He wrote in his journal, "It is as pleasant a land as one can tread upon".... The Dutch returned in 1626 to found New Amsterdam, now of course New York. In 1661 they founded "Nieuw Dorp", now known as Hurley, near "Wiltwyck", which we know as Kingston.

Around 1680, the Kool (sometimes spelled Cool or Cole) family were amongst the earliest settlers in Hurley and acquired the land our house now stands on. There is some evidence of an early wooden house on this site probably built after that date. We think that the oldest part of the existing stone house was built sometime between 1705 and 1720. In 1707 Cornelis Kool was granted a land patent with others in Hurley of around 70,000 acres which included what are now Woodstock, Marbletown, Rosendale and New Paltz. It appears that he lived in our house, greatly expanded it to its present size, and around 1745 built the house next door (The Patentee Manor).

The house exhibits many of the features of Dutch vernacular architecture typical of the Hudson Valley in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fieldstone walls, a steeply pitched roof, enormous beams, evidence of three jambless fireplaces, wide plank floors, Dutch doors, early sash windows and the remnants of leaded window frames can all be seen.

The house is one of the finest examples of early Hudson Valley Dutch vernacular arcitecture in private hands, as most others of similar quality are now museums. The Stone House Bed and Breakfast at the Cornelis Kool house represents a unique opportunity to stay in probably the oldest house in New York State that you can actually sleep in.

We are six minutes drive from the NYS Thruway.

From The South / NYC, take Exit 19 on NYS Thruway 87. At the toll, bear right onto RT 28 to Pine Hill. After about half a mile, having driven over the thruway and through a light, merge onto US-209 S via the ramp on the right to Ellenville. After 4.1 miles, just BEFORE Gill's farm stand, turn sharp right at County Rte 29/Old Route 209, and we are 300 yds on the left.

From The North / Albany, take exit 19 on NYS Thruway 87 and follow the directions above.

If You Are Coming From The East on the Kingston-Rhinecliff bridge, simply continue after crossing the Hudson for about 8 miles on the 199, which becomes the US-209 S to Ellenville. Just BEFORE Gill's farm stand, turn sharp right at County Rte 29/Old Route 209, and we are 300 yds on the left.

If You Are Coming From The West / Southwest on route 209, we are about 5 miles from the center of Stone Ridge. Take a left just AFTER Gill's farm stand at County Rte 29/Old Route 209, and we are 300 yards on the left.