We’re not shy about the fact that we love living in North Jersey, with its close proximity to NYC and walkable downtowns filled with quick-talking, fast-walking people. But let’s be real, sometimes we just need to disconnect and get away. It can be tricky to find the right rental for your mini vacay, so the team at The Local Girl is kicking off a new series, bringing you some of the best rentable getaways within driving distance from the North Jersey area. We’ll scope them out, so you can start planning your escape to get out of dodge and recharge — and no, this isn’t sponsored. These are our unfiltered reviews — so if you’re looking for the real deal on a place, we’re here to provide it. We’re starting in Roxbury, NY in the Catskills at a renovated 1840s dairy barn, just under three hours away from Hoboken + Jersey City. Keep reading to learn more about PostBeamLove, an Airbnb in the Catskills.
About The Place
The home, named PostBeamLove, is owned by Edward + Dahlia, two long-time Hoboken residents who were more than helpful in setting up a stay at their house in the Catskills.
As stated on their Airbnb listing, PostBeamLove is, “an idyllic private secluded 4-season dream 10-acre getaway. Stay and indulge in complete comfort in a fully converted 1840s Dairy Barn with indoor saltwater hot tub + sauna with mountain views, overlooking the northwestern Catskills in the heart of Roxbury, NY.”
Edward shared with us that this house has been a passion project of his, and he’s happy that others now get to enjoy it as their own secluded getaway, or remote work oasis. If you’re looking for a place to provide some much-needed downtime, or looking for a spot to recoup after a long day of nearby skiing or hiking, this might just be your place.
Read more: A Day Trip to Cold Spring, NY: A Hudson River Village
The Experience Overall
We’ll go into more details below, but before we do that, let’s go over The Local Girl basics.
Beds + Baths: 4 beds, 4 baths
Guests: 8
Perfect for:
- Friends’ reunion or family gathering
- Bachelorette party
- Small group retreat
Standout Attributes:
- Hot tub + sauna
- Neighboring horses
- Incredibly well maintained
Pro Tips:
- Check what is open before you make dinner plans
- Use the lights in the backyard
- This is the mountains – animals live here, too
The Property
The home is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom 3,000 square-foot 1840s dairy barn that has been completely converted and renovated. The main floor holds a chef’s kitchen that opens up into a vaulted dining area and then expands into two living spaces, one with a working wood fireplace, all surrounded by large windows. A third living space, which houses a bunch of board games and a large-screen TV, sits on the other side of the main floor near the main entrance.
While one of the bedrooms with a connecting bathroom is on the first floor, the other three bedrooms and two of the bathrooms are on the second floor, up an original wood staircase (which is not to be overlooked – the steps are gorgeous). The master bedroom has a balcony overlooking a lake in the backyard and the mountains.
But the house doesn’t end on the second floor. Off the main living area, there is a spa wing, yes, an entire wing. This space is dedicated to a dry-heat cedar sauna, a fully renovated spa bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a saltwater hot tub, which sits next to sliding glass doors that lead out to a patio (or if it’s winter, remain closed but still provide an incredible view of the snowy mountains – no biggie).
Indoor Amenities
Let’s get down to the details, shall we? Truthfully, PostBeamLove provides guests with a lot and for a full list, definitely check the Airbnb listing. Here’s just a quick snapshot of what you’ll find:
- 4 bedrooms / 4 bathroom
- Free washer + dryer
- Linens, cleaning supplies, bathroom products
- Coffee bar with beans, teas, etc.
- Kitchen pots + pans, utensils
- Dishwasher
- 60″ HDTV
- Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Chromecast, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix
- Wifi – (yes, it works well in the house but is not great outside on the property)
- Record player
- Sound system
- Board games + books
- Central air, heating
- Ceiling fans
- Working indoor fireplace
Outdoor Amenities
While the inside feels like a cozy lodge, the outdoor space provides a way to immerse yourself in nature with the comforts of feeling right at home. Some of the outdoor features include:
- Mountain, garden, and pond view
- Outdoor fire pit + wood
- BBQ grill + utensils
- Outdoor furniture
- Patio + deck with outdoor swing
- Outdoor furniture
The Area
Roxbury, NY has a cute little downtown area, and Edward + Dahlia shared plenty of recommendations on where to shop, eat, dine, do yoga, hike, and explore, not only in Roxbury but for their ride there and back again as well.
For coffee and breakfast, we popped over to Watershed for lattes and egg sammies. This spot, which houses a little event patio in the back and ample seating (and reliable wifi for remote work) also has delicious-looking pastries, a super friendly staff, a little market with local merch in the back, and a slew of loyal regulars. To be honest, we went here both mornings because the vibe was that warm.
For dinner, first we went to The Old Mill, which has everything you could want in an old authentically rustic restaurant, converted from – you guessed it – an old mill. MG Pro Tip: get the crab cakes.
The second night, we went over to Chappies, which unbeknownst to us, is affiliated with The Old Mill, though has more of an English pub vibe. Don’t overlook the wings here – they are spicy, meaty, and cooked just right. Chappies also features a bunch of local beers, which pair nicely with those aforementioned wings.
Things We Loved
One of our favorite and most unexpected features of staying here was the invitation to feed the neighboring horses. The hosts left horse treats on the counter for us. A donkey and three horses reside at the next property over – two of whom are not shy and have quite an appetite. Spending an afternoon out on the property, hanging out with these hungry and friendly fellows, away from the busy world back home, was just what we needed to reconnect with the great outdoors.
See more: Weekend Getaway Guide to Woodstock, NY
Pro Tips
We went from Sunday to Tuesday in the winter, and though the landscape was snowy and serene, the town was very quiet – meaning many of the shops were closed during the day and several of the restaurants weren’t open again until Thursday. The smart play here is definitely to get into town earlier enough to buy some groceries and put that chef’s kitchen to good use. If you’re planning on heading out for dinner, be sure to check online to see if they’re open and call ahead just to be sure.
The house is big and open, and at night the backyard is very dark. That’s great if you want to stargaze, but can be a little unnerving if you’re not used to that kind of seclusion. If that makes you uncomfortable, there are outdoor lights that allow you to see the backyard fully.
Overall, this was a great stay. The mountains, the hot tub, the family of deer frolicking in the backyard – yes, really – this place is an idyllic mountain getaway. We recommend going with a group of friends for a change of scenery, some outdoor adventures, and limited screen time. The two main living areas host no television, making this a great space to sip some wine or grab a hot cup of tea, kick back, reconnect, and unwind. PostBeamLove, we’ll see you again soon. Thanks for the great time. Be sure to check out their Instagram @postbeamlove.
Know of a great Airbnb or Vrbo we should check out? Send it to us at hello@thelocalgirl.com for consideration.
