Originally built in the 1930s, Camptown is a hotel retreat nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains just over the area's storied Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Leeds, New York — about a 2.5 hour drive from New York City. Reimagined by Ray Pirkle and Kim Bucci, owners and creators of the beloved Rivertown Lodge in Hudson, Camptown is the first hotel solely designed by the duo under their debut company, Ramshackle Studio. The property has undergone a thoughtful renovation and redesign, embracing existing original architectural details throughout - while punctuating the spaces with custom work created through partnerships with local artists and woodworkers. Situated on 22 wooded acres of land to explore, Camptown features a motor lodge consisting of 24 guest rooms and 26 log cabins (many with functioning kitchens or wood-burning stoves) that are equally suited for short term visits and longer stays. Casa Susanna, the property's Mexican restaurant helmed by Chef Efrén Hernández, offers a seasonal menu focused on fresh produce, a natural wine program led by local wine savant Byron Bates, and a selection of cocktails and fermented drinks utilizing house made tinctures, seasonal jarred ingredients and garnishes from the property's own greenhouse. Additional property features include an honor pantry, communal firepit, grilling area, picnic tables, swim club & pool bar (expected Summer 2023), sauna (expected Fall 2023), and access to a multitude of outdoor recreational activities including swimming, hiking, fishing and skiing.
GUEST ROOMS & CABINS
Camptown offers 50 unique accommodations sprawled across a renovated motor lodge with 24 guest rooms and 26 standalone log cabins. Guest room categories vary from cozy Nook Rooms to spacious Kings. Inspired by the original charm of the property and the nature that surrounds it, Ramshackle Studio has thoughtfully transformed each of the guest rooms and cabins, outfitting the interiors with a mix of modern and vintage furniture including wooden spindle bed frames with flanking nightstands, Shaker-style nook beds with built-in shelves and drawers, and found lamps, artwork and wares. Sprinkled sporadically throughout the property, the cabins at Camptown are each unique in character and design and have been painted using a considered color palette of bold earth tones from dark green and brown to yellow and red. No two cabins are the same as some interiors were completely renovated to evoke a clean, modern feel, while others were lightly restored back to their original condition. The cabins offer guests an enhanced hospitality experience with scenic views and additional privacy. A selection of cabins feature wood-burning stoves, a living area and / or kitchenettes fully equipped with a refrigerator, sink, stovetop, utensils and cookware, making them equally suited for short visits and long-term stays. A "Fill Your Fridge" produce drop-off option is available for guests
interested in preparing meals onsite, as well as access to several grills and picnic tables throughout the property. Each cabin also features an outdoor porch, some with Penobscot Bay Porch Swings, providing guests the opportunity to slow down, sit back, relax and take in the fresh air.
CASA SUSANNA
Situated at the Northeast entrance of the property is Casa Susanna, Camptown's year-round Mexican restaurant and social hub. Housed in a dark brown lodge illuminated by a neon green "Susanna" sign, the tavern-style restaurant & bar has been carefully restored by Ramshackle Studio. Upon entering Casa Susanna, guests are invited into the bar area featuring a large horseshoe-shaped bar with a cognac leather top and an oak dowel bar front, sculptural French oak bar stools from the 1960's, seagrass wallpaper, and a Shaker sewing table-inspired cherry back bar custom designed by Ramshackle Studio. A wine pantry, located right off the bar, houses a thoughtfully chosen selection of off
menu bottles for guests to choose from. A small staircase near the back of the bar leads up to the property's centralized check-in desk and an intimate dining space for restaurant guests. A row of custom designed wooden banquettes with leather seating built by Tony Gorga of New York Handmade wind around a corner and are lit up by dome-shaped pendant light fixtures. Seating for 75 is spread across the indoor bar and restaurant as well as an outdoor patio, which offers guests the option to dine al fresco in warmer weather.
Helmed by Chef Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna offers a menu focused on fresh produce that celebrates Efrén's family heritage and flavors from Jalisco in a variety of dishes meant to be shared, a natural wine program led by local wine savant Byron Bates, and a selection of cocktails and fermented drinks utilizing house made tinctures, seasonal jarred ingredients, and garnishes from the property's own greenhouse. Menu highlights include dishes like blood sausage tamal and grilled whole porgie al pastor with fennel curtido and wood-fire roasted veal sweetbreads with roasted garlic black beans. Through a masa program, the restaurant makes all tortillas in-house and offer a regularly changing seasonal menu of dishes utilizing the best ingredients from the Hudson Valley's local farmers and ranchers. Casa Susanna opens for reservations on March 16th, serving dinner Thursdays through Mondays from 5-10pm and brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm.
Casa Susanna is also home to Camptown's lobby, which serves as a counterpart to the restaurant, offering an ideal indoor space for extended mingling and remote work. Anchored by exposed wooden beams, the lobby is centered around a roaring stone fireplace with custom oak mirrors built by Rowland Butler hung on either side. Large circular and arched couches and a library table are arranged for lounging alone or with a group. Tea and coffee are provided from an antique beverage cart stationed nearby.
THE PANTRY
In a building adjacent to Casa Susanna, The Pantry serves as a shared indoor space and an honor system designed to provide guests easy access to snacks, dry goods, farm fresh meats, and vegetables for cooking or grilling onsite by simply signing items out to a room or cabin. The Pantry features a large communal table for casual dining moments and a custom built-in wall pantry filled with packaged grab & go items and the best produce the region has to offer.
THE SWIM CLUB & POOL BAR
Open to hotel guests and Swim Club members, the pool will be Camptown's lively gathering place in warm weather offering special hours each day for adult swim. The pool area will feature a covered pavilion with a fireplace, waterbed cabanas, and loungers. A short pathway will lead up to Bar Piscina, the property's outdoor pool bar, which has an extended deck overlooking the pool and the rest of the property.
The Swim Club will be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Membership includes access to the pool and club, as well as the ability to bring guests at a day rate. Options for individuals and families are available.
PARTIES & OFFSITES
Camptown offers private parties for a wide range of celebrations including rehearsal dinners, welcome drinks, weddings, brunches, birthdays, corporate retreats, and family reunions. Accommodating groups from 2 to 200, Camptown offers numerous event space options, each unique and catered around each party's individual needs.
QUICK FACTS
- Address: 800 County Rd 23B, Leeds, New York 12451
- Website: camptowncatskills.com
- Phone: 518.719.0097
- Instagram: @CamptownLeeds, @CasaSusannaCamptown
- Owners & Operators: Ray Pirkle & Kim Bucci
- Designers: Ray Pirkle & Kim Bucci of Ramshackle Studio
- Starting rates: Rooms start at $209 and cabins start at $299
PROPERTY FEATURES
- 24 guest rooms and 26 log cabins, each different in character and design
- Cabins available for couples or groups, sleeping up to 4
- 22 acres of land and access to hiking trails
- Farm-to-table Mexican restaurant with natural wine program and a selection of cocktails / fermented drinks • Wine pantry filled with off-menu bottles
- Honor pantry filled with snacks, packaged goods and fresh produce for cooking or grilling onsite • "Fill Your Fridge" produce sign-up prior to arrival
- Swimming pool with waterbed cabanas, loungers, and adult swim hours (expected Summer 2023) • Swim club membership options for individuals (with a +1) and families
- Pool bar (expected Summer 2023)
- Events pavilion for community and private events bookings (expected 2024)
- Sauna access (expected Fall 2023)
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Firepit
- Picnic Tables
- Grills
- Bicycles
- Golf Cart Accessible
CUSTOM DESIGN ELEMENTS
- Pine and leather benches from Jack Rabbit Studio
- Scalloped corner benches from Sawkille
- Oak dining tables designed by Ramshackle Studio and built by Chad Silver
- Oak mirrors designed by Ramshackle Studio and built by Rowland Butler
- Custom kitchenettes, banquettes, dining tables, front desk and wonderfully detailed cherry back bar designed by Ramshackle Studio and built by Tony Gorga of New York Handmade
- Wool work dining chairs by Becca Van K
- One-of-a-kind log pergola and outdoor art pieces from Saugerties-based Romancing the Woods
GUEST ROOM + CABIN AMENITIES
- Functioning kitchenettes, available across a selection of cabins
- Wood burning stoves, available across a selection of cabins
- Porch swings, available across a selection of cabins
- "Nook" rooms
- Frette linens
- Down alternative pillows
- Organic mattresses
- Bath products by 2 Note
- Heated bathroom floors
- Complimentary Wifi
- Samsung TVs
- Marshall Bluetooth Speakers
- Blackout Curtains
ABOUT RAMSHACKLE STUDIO
Ramshackle Studio is a hospitality and real estate design company founded in 2022 by friends and hospitality veterans, Ray Pirkle and Kim Bucci, who have a combined 20 years of experience working in the intersecting fields of hospitality, real estate and design. Having met while working in NYC, and later relocating to the Hudson Valley, the pair opened Rivertown Lodge in Hudson in 2015, which they own and operate. Ramshackle Studio seeks to reimagine and repurpose under-utilized properties and employs local talent including woodworkers, artists and craftsmen to help reflect the areas in which their properties inhabit. Debuting in March 2023, Camptown is the first hotel solely designed by Ramshackle Studio.
810 Co Rd 23B
Leeds, NY 12451
United States
