The Nightingale

There's a particular kind of place that feels like it has always existed --- not built so much as accumulated, layer by layer, over decades of living. The Nightingale is that kind of place. A sprawling 110-year-old landmark in the lush hills of Greene County, this nearly 6,000-square-foot home has been given new life without losing an ounce of its soul. Nine bedrooms, three floors, and enough space for up to 18 guests to spread out, settle in, and genuinely exhale.

The bones of this building carry history in every detail --- the original wide-plank hardwood floors, the tall grid-pane windows, the cast-iron radiators that tick and hum through winter nights, the grand staircase climbing from floor to floor. No two rooms are the same. Each of the nine bedrooms has its own distinct color palette and antique furnishings, dressed in down bedding, and designed with the kind of quiet care that makes a room feel like it was assembled just for you. Whether you're on the ground floor tucked away in your own quiet corner, or up on the second floor where eight more rooms fan out across the hall, there's a sense of intimacy that a place this size rarely manages to hold onto.

The heart of the ground floor is the formal living room --- once the home's original dance hall and speakeasy space --- where a grand piano still anchors the room. It's the kind of space that makes you want to light something, pour something, and let the evening unfold. Adjacent, the chef's kitchen is equipped for a group that actually wants to cook together: a commercial-grade range, a marble island that seats four, a farmhouse sink, French door refrigerator, and a dining table that comfortably seats eight or more. The formal dining room --- crystal chandelier, antique table --- handles the full group when the occasion calls for it. A distributed speaker system runs through the kitchen, living room, and up to the third floor, so the soundtrack follows you.

Up in the third-floor loft, the mood shifts. Exposed dark wood beams, botanical wallpaper, leather sofas, LED ambient lighting, a large TV wall, and a game table create a lounge that feels equal parts sophisticated and genuinely fun. It's the kind of room where the night extends longer than anyone planned.

Outside, the property moves through several personalities. The wrap-around covered front porch --- hung with Tiffany-style lanterns and framed by red double doors --- is theatrical in the best way. A side porch looks out toward Dots Lake through the trees, quiet and unhurried. The large back deck has a teak dining set for eight, perfectly positioned for long meals outdoors. A separate guest cottage with a screened sunroom porch and its own outdoor dining area extends your gathering space even further, with a BBQ area right alongside it.

The setting itself is reason enough. Earlton sits in what's known as the Irish Catskills, named for the lush green hills and pastoral landscape that once reminded Irish settlers of home. The property is tucked into that same foliage-draped countryside --- private, secluded, and quietly romantic. Dots Lake glimmers just across the road. Beyond the immediate grounds, Greene County opens up into one of New York's most rewarding stretches of terrain.

Just two hours north of New York City, the region offers everything from mountain hikes and fire tower climbs to craft beer trails and waterfall excursions. Kaaterskill Falls --- one of the highest waterfalls in New York, made up of two cascades totaling 260 feet --- is well within reach, as are the trails and skyrides at Hunter and Windham Mountains. The city of Hudson, about 20 minutes away, has become one of the most compelling small cities in the Northeast: Warren Street is lined with farm-to-table restaurants and independent boutiques, and the broader city draws a laid-back creative crowd of artists, antique hunters, hikers, and nature lovers. Just south of Hudson lies Olana, the 250-acre Persian-inspired mansion and studio of Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church, a designated National Historic Landmark that's worth an afternoon on its own. Closer to home, Honey Hollow Brewing Co. grows its own hops and invites visitors to hang out on their farm --- beer, music, artisanal goods, and a genuinely good afternoon.

The Nightingale isn't a rental that tries to be everything. It already is something --- something specific and rare. A building with a past, a property with presence, and more than enough room for everyone you want to bring along.

AvantStay provides an upscale experience with services that elevate your stay and save time so you can enjoy every moment. Guests have access to a 24/7 support team and a tech-enabled concierge to book services, such as fridge stocking, mid-stay cleanings, and private chefs. For anything you need (or never knew you needed), we're at your service!

It's no wonder city dwellers flock to upstate New York's Hudson Valley for a break from the daily grind. Its rural beauty and colorful foliage is a beautiful change of scenery. After all, it was here that inspired an entire artistic movement of Romantic painters to capture the area's rolling hills and pastoral setting. View the landscapes in person by hiking the Catskill Mountains, and then head to the farm to pick seasonal produce. Think apple picking in the fall and strawberries in the summer!

Local Attractions: Athens Riverfront Park, Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, Kaaterskill Falls, Olana State Historic Site, Greene County Historical Society, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Hudson Brewing Company, Dutchman's Landing Park

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All bookings over 30 days require a security deposit to be charged after booking.