How We Welcomed The New Year at Inness
I’ve always felt that New Year’s Eve holds a quiet kind of power. The way you choose to spend those final hours of the year. The energy you surround yourself with. The pace you allow yourself to move at. I truly believe it sets the tone for what’s to come.
For Brian and me, New Year’s has become one of the most intentional times of the year. Over the last decade, we’ve welcomed it in so many different places: Miami, Sedona, Hawaii, Paris, even Tanzania. Each trip has felt symbolic of the season of life we were in at the time. Some years were about adventure and momentum, others about discovery or celebration. Looking back, each one marked a chapter, who we were becoming, what we were building, and what mattered most in that moment.
Right now, we’re in a season of growing our family and deepening our connection to each other, to our time, to the pace of our lives. And because of that, we knew we wanted to welcome the new year somewhere calm, grounding, and centered around being together.
That’s how we ended up at Inness in the Hudson Valley.
We stayed in one of the cabins on the property, and it felt like our own little winter cocoon. Cozy, private, and thoughtfully designed. Perfect for slow mornings, midday rest, and early nights.
One of my favorite parts of the property is the farmhouse. It feels like a shared living room for guests- fireplaces glowing, games tucked into corners, snacks and cocktails available, and so many places to sit and linger. There are also guest rooms upstairs, and I couldn’t stop thinking how special it would be to come back with friends or family and experience it together.
Something else that stood out immediately was how naturally welcoming the property felt. It’s both kid- and dog-friendly, without ever losing its sense of calm or beauty. That balance is hard to find.
The Food
We ate every single meal on property, and it was honestly one of my favorite parts of the stay. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all farm-to-table, locally sourced, and consistently so good. There was something really comforting about knowing we didn’t need to make plans or rush out the door, everything we needed was right there.
Meals became a rhythm to our days. Slow mornings. Relaxed lunches. Cozy dinners. Especially during New Year’s, that simplicity felt grounding and intentional.
The Hudson Valley has such an incredible food scene, and we heard about so many amazing restaurants nearby that came highly recommended and are already on our list for next time. This trip felt right staying close, but it gave us every reason to come back and explore more in a different season.
The Spa
While I sat this part out because of pregnancy, Brian fully leaned into the spa and loved it. Each day he moved through the steam room, sauna, and cold plunges outside in the snow. Watching him come back feeling completely reset was a quiet reminder of how important it is to care for your body during moments of transition.
Things to Do (Without Ever Leaving)
One of the things I loved most was how much there was to do without ever leaving the property. Outdoor fire pits glowing as the sun went down. Tube sledding was so much fun. An on-site store where you can stock your cabin with healthy, local snacks.
New Year’s Eve itself struck the perfect balance between cozy and celebratory. A gingerbread house bar. A disco-ball-filled party in the barn. A pre-fixed dinner menu with caviar croquettes, Maine lobster and local filet. Amazing mocktails for me, cocktails for Brian & Sante’s favorite apple cider. The night was festive, warm, and fun!
A Place for Every Season
As magical as winter was, it’s already clear that this is a place we’ll return to again and again. I can picture it so easily in spring and summer: tennis matches, afternoons by the outdoor pool, long walks along the two-mile trail as everything comes into bloom. And fall, with the leaves changing, feels like it would be just as special.
It’s the kind of place that transforms with the seasons, meeting you wherever you are.
Waking up on New Year’s Day at Inness felt especially meaningful, knowing this is our last year welcoming the new year as a family of three. There was a tenderness to it, a quiet awareness of how fleeting seasons can be, and how important it is to really be in them while they’re here.
As the years pass, I’m learning that it’s not the rush or the spectacle that defines a beginning, but the intention behind it. The space you give yourself to reflect. The gentleness you allow. The way you choose to be present for the life you’re building.
As you step into this new year, my hope is that you find a beginning that feels aligned- however that looks for you. That you give yourself permission to move at your own pace, to honor the season you’re in, and to choose what feels grounding, nourishing, and true.
Here’s to honoring the season you’re in & the one that’s coming. Happy 2026 friends🤍
