The Starlite Motel
5938 US-209
Kerhonkson, NY
Where mid-century color meets a Shawangunk sunset
About The Starlite Motel
The Starlite is a 1960s motor lodge along Route 209 in Kerhonkson, brought back with a clear point of view. The exterior keeps its era intact: a low, drive-up profile painted in pinks, aquas, and mint greens straight out of the space age. Inside, the story turns contemporary, with hardwood floors, retro tiled baths, and a restraint that lets the color speak. The setting is the draw. Kerhonkson sits at the base of the Shawangunk Ridge, minutes from Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mohonk Preserve, which makes the Starlite a genuine basecamp rather than a pass-through. Recognized in the MICHELIN Guide, it reads as a place someone cared about, not a formula dropped along the highway. It is a small, personal operation, and that shows in every corner.
What The Starlite Motel Is Known For
The Starlite gets the balance right that so many retro renovations miss. It could have leaned entirely on nostalgia, but the 1960s color and the intact pink tile are held in check by genuinely comfortable, contemporary rooms and a saltwater pool that would hold its own anywhere. The MICHELIN Guide recognition confirms what the place already knows about itself: this is a small operation executed with care, from the pour-over stations to the retro loungers, in one of the most scenic corners of the Catskills.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Saltwater pool
- Private rear decks
- In-room pour-over coffee station
- Retro mini refrigerators
- Outdoor fire pit
- Outdoor movie screen
- Restored 1960s camper rental
What Guests Love
- Weekend breakfast is complimentary and served on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
- Every room has its own pour-over coffee setup, so mornings start right where you slept.
- The saltwater pool runs from three to seven feet deep and is framed by period-correct retro loungers.
- A restored 1960s camper is available to rent for a quirkier, more private stay.
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mohonk Preserve are both about a five-minute drive away.
Worth Knowing
- The property is a small, personal operation, and much of the communication happens by text. Save the number when you book so questions get answered fast.
- Weekend nights and summer fill quickly given the Shawangunk hiking nearby. Book a few weeks ahead.
- The saltwater pool is seasonal. Contact the property before arrival to confirm it is open for your dates.
The Room
Rooms lean into the contrast that defines the place: original 1960s pink-tiled bathrooms paired with clean hardwood floors and a calm, uncluttered palette. Beds are deep and made for sleeping in. A pour-over coffee station sits in each room, along with an adorable retro mini refrigerator and natural Starlite bath amenities. King rooms give you more room to spread out, queen rooms keep things snug, and a restored 1960s camper on the property offers a quirkier option with a mini kitchen and full-size bed. USB charging points and high-speed WiFi keep the retro shell current. Most rooms open onto a private rear deck, the kind of spot you claim with a coffee in the morning and a drink at dusk.
The Grounds
The Starlite spreads low across its lot, every door facing out toward the parking apron and the ridgeline beyond. The centerpiece is the saltwater pool, large and gradually deepening from three feet to seven, ringed with retro-style lounge chairs that suit the color scheme. A fire pit anchors the evenings, and an outdoor movie screen turns warm nights into something to linger over. Parking is right at your door. The private decks off the rooms give each stay its own patch of outdoor space, angled toward the Shawangunk skyline that changes color through the day.
The Experience
Staying here has a rhythm. You wake up, pour a coffee at the in-room station, and take it out to your deck to watch the ridge. Days go outward, into Minnewaska or the Mohonk carriage roads, and evenings come back to the pool, the fire pit, or a movie under the stars. The owners are close at hand and quick to answer, whether the question is a dinner reservation or a shopping tip. It is the kind of place that rewards slowing down, where the color and the quiet do most of the work and you find yourself planning a return before you have even left.
Details
Kerhonkson, NY 12446
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Starlite Motel have WiFi?
Yes, The Starlite Motel has WiFi.
What is there to do near The Starlite Motel?
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: 4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there. Mohonk Preserve: 6 miles, about a 10 minute drive. Rondout Reservoir: 8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
How far is The Starlite Motel from Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is The Starlite Motel from Mohonk Preserve?
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is The Starlite Motel from Rondout Reservoir?
8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
Is The Starlite Motel pet friendly?
Yes. The Starlite Motel welcomes dogs. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
Does The Starlite Motel have a pool?
Yes. The Starlite Motel has an outdoor saltwater pool that runs from three to seven feet deep, surrounded by retro-style loungers. It is seasonal, so confirm it is open for your dates.
How far is The Starlite Motel from Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is about 4 miles away, roughly a 10 minute drive from The Starlite Motel.
Does The Starlite Motel serve breakfast?
The Starlite Motel offers complimentary breakfast on weekend mornings, Saturday and Sunday. It is not served daily.
Is there parking at The Starlite Motel?
Yes. Free parking is available on site, right at your room door.
Does The Starlite Motel have EV charging?
The Starlite Motel does not list on-site EV charging. Contact the property directly to ask about the nearest public charging options.
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Things to Do Near the Catskills
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there. Perched on the Shawangunk Ridge, the preserve offers sky lakes, waterfalls, and miles of carriage roads for hiking, swimming, and rock climbing.
Mohonk Preserve
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
6 miles, about a 15 minute drive. The largest member-supported nature preserve in New York, with cliffs, carriage roads, and trails winding through the Shawangunk Mountains.
Rondout Reservoir
8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
8 miles, about a 15 minute drive. A quiet, scenic reservoir framed by wooded hills, good for a slow drive, a photo stop, or an easy afternoon wander.