Mohonk Mountain House looks more like a castle than an all-inclusive resort. Located in New Paltz, New York, this historic, Victorian-style getaway sits lakeside in the Shawangunk Mountains.
I recently spent two nights at Mohonk Mountain House for a nearby escape from my home in New York City. I stayed in a room with a starting rate of $1,400 a night for double occupancy, though Business Insider received a media rate.
This rate included three meals a day and access to most of the hotel's activities. Alcohol, room service, and additional snacks and beverages incurred additional charges, as did some activities, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding.
It wasn't my first time at an all-inclusive resort, but it was my first time traveling solo to one. I had an amazing stay, but it could have been even better had I avoided these mistakes.
I hadn't had many all-inclusive experiences before this trip.
I'd only been to one all-inclusive resort before my trip to Mohonk Mountain House. It was a family vacation to Mexico several years ago.
I've also taken a couple of cruises, which typically include staterooms, food, and onboard activities in the ticket price. I booked seven-day voyages on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady in 2023.
My past experiences gave me an idea of what to expect at Mohonk Mountain House, but they didn't stop me from making some mistakes.
Booking a two-night stay was my first mistake.
Mohonk Mountain House had countless activities — way more than any guest could get through in two nights. Most of them were included in the rate of my stay. There were sports like golf, basketball, and billiards, to name a few, as well as fitness classes, beach swimming, and a maze made of rock formations.
I'm glad I got to learn archery, but I wish I'd had a chance to try out axe-throwing, too. My morning hike was one of my favorite parts of the trip, but I longed for more time to play disc golf, a sport I haven't practiced much since college.
With more time, I would also have gone kayaking and visited the adults-only pool. Next time I take a trip to an all-inclusive resort, I'll stay a few more nights.
Every meal I had was fantastic, but I regretted not packing my own snacks.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were included in my stay at Mohonk Mountain House. From wagyu steak and smoked beef brisket to roasted salmon and steamed clams, there was a wide variety of upscale options. With buffet-style breakfast and lunch and three-course dinners, all the meals were filling too. The hotel also served tea and cookies in the afternoon.
However, filling my days with activities left me craving snacks between meals. Pulling from my past experiences on cruises, I wrongfully assumed there'd be food available throughout the day at the same all-inclusive rate.
If I had done my research before my trip, I would have realized the grab-and-go snack bar wasn't included in the price of the stay, and neither was the room service menu, which offered dishes throughout the day ranging from about $15 to $50. Knowing that, I would have packed some snacks instead.
Going solo was my biggest mistake.
I travel solo most of the time, so I didn't think twice about booking my stay for one. Once at the resort, though, I was surrounded by couples and families. It made sense, considering Mohonk Mountain House has been included in rankings of the country's best all-inclusive resorts for families.
I didn't spot any other half-empty two-tops in the dining room during meals. My archery and fitness classes were comprised of groups of two to four, save for me.
Observing the groups of guests around me made me think about how much fun it would have been to participate in the resort's activities with a companion.
I'm not saying that traveling to an all-inclusive resort alone isn't enjoyable. I had a great time at Mohonk Mountain House by myself. At the same time, I would have loved to have someone to laugh at me when my arrow flew past the target and into the woods, or someone to split entrées with at dinner.
Next time I travel to an all-inclusive resort, I'll bring a friend.
Read next
Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining BI in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, from day trips to overnight rides as long as 30 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. She spends her free time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. You can follow Joey on Instagram or send her an email at [email protected].Popular ArticlesI spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. They felt like 2 completely different classes.I went on an adults-only cruise for the first time, and 8 things surprised meI spent 2 nights in a 2-story, 100-square-foot tiny home in Germany that was smaller than any I've seen in the USStep inside the richest city in Arizona, where wealthy Californians are flocking for private mountainside estates
