Glenmere
Mansion, located in Chester, New York is a
luxurious 18-room and suite Relais
& Chateaux Country House Hotel. Once a gilded age mansion, Owners
and Maîtres de Maison Alan Stenberg and Daniel DeSimone have lovingly transformed the Tuscan Villa nestled on
150-acres overlooking Glenmere Lake into a delightful oasis in the Hudson
Valley perfect for romantic getaways.
Glenmere,
built in 1911, was the gilded age home of Robert Goelet, and was designed as a 35-room
Tuscan villa. Although small in stature
with a mere 18 rooms and suites, Glenmere Mansion has all the bells and whistles
befitting its luxury stature, with sumptuously furnished guestrooms, two
restaurants, Frog's End Tavern and The Supper Room, an expansive Living Room
with grand piano, colorful orchids, and fireplaces on either of the room, a
cozy Library to relax and curl up with one of the many books, a fitness center,
Italian cortile, an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, bocce court, Har-Tru
tennis courts, croquet court, hiking trails, and beautifully landscaped gardens
to enjoy.

Glenmere Mansion
We
stayed in the Princess Suite, a stunning room with large windows on either side
of the room overlooking the beautifully landscaped lawn and the inner fountain
cortile. The king bed was opulently dressed with Italian linens and a quilted
coverlet, silk comforter, a plethora of pillows, a bolster, and an embroidered
Oriental silk decorative pillow. Combination nightstand/bookstand held an
alarm clock, interesting objects d'art, a diverse collection of books, and a
crystal ball on a stand, which I used to predict that we would have an
excellent stay at Glenmere
Mansion, and we indeed did.
A large painting over the bed added interest, as did the two turquoise suede
ottomans at the foot of the bed.

Princess Suite Guest Room
Opposite
was a gas fireplace, which added to the romantic ambience, and two glass topped
brass chests accessorized with large orange lamps. A large dark leather desk
and massive wood chair thoughtfully outfitted with stationery, pens, pencils,
and a selection of magazines flanked the window overlooking the lawn.

Guest Room Fireplace
Two
champagne-colored chairs with matching ottomans flanked the window overlooking
the inner fountain cortile, perfect to relax and read one of the complimentary
newspapers or watch the 40" wall-mounted LCD television.
The
spacious white marble bathroom was an ode to bathing with its deep-soaking tub
complete with bath tray laden with bath salts, toiletries, and yellow rubber
duck; steam shower large enough for two fitted with a rain showerhead; his and
hers marble vanities with hand-painted basins and ornate mirrors and vanity mirrors
on opposite sides of the windowed room, and plush towels. Amenities included a
hairdryer, robes, slippers, and a nice selection of toiletries.

Princess Suite Bathroom
Alan
Stenberg and Daniel DeSimone have taken
great care to ensure to their guests' every need with thoughtful touches
throughout the hotel. In the afternoon, they serve complimentary snacks and chips,
freshly baked cookies, and a variety of soft drinks. In the morning, guests may
help themselves to a complimentary continental breakfast of scones, muffins, and
a selection of juices, coffee, and teas.

Stroll the Manicured Grounds
For guests wishing full
breakfasts, they offer breakfast in The Supper Room, or in warmer weather, in
the Cortile. As the weather was still on the cool side, we breakfasted in The
Supper Room sitting at a table overlooking the pretty gardens that were just
starting to awaken with early spring flowers.
Edward
and I had an excellent dinner at The Supper Room in late April 2011, where the
ambience was stately with its high ceiling, opulent chandelier and recessed fairy
lights illuminating the dining room, wide ivory crown molding accenting the
chocolate brown walls, elegant white fireplace graced with fresh tulips and
candles on the mantle, hand-painted églomisé panels, and French doors framed
with ivory window treatments providing glimpses of the stunning landscaped
gardens and Glenmere Lake.

The Supper Room
A
few of the dinner highlights included Executive Chef Rob Stella's Roasted
Hudson Valley Foie Gras on a toasted brioche, which Chef Rob Stella creatively
paired with three poached rhubarb logs topped with a quenelle of rhubarb sorbet,
salted Marcona almonds, a swirl of rhubarb sauce, and garnished the plate with
pea greens; Lobster Ravioli, with a decadent mousse-like lobster filling in a
rich broth, crowned with a generous lobster claw, and accompanied with tatsoi
and lemongrass foam and morel mushrooms; and Labelle Farm "Duck a l'Orange"
with Glazed Baby Leeks, Thumbelina Carrots, Spiced Orange, and Roasted Foie
Gras. Sommelier Michael A. Cimino paired each course with an excellent
selection of wine from the extensive wine cellar.

Foie Gras Lobster Ravioli
Dessert
highlights included Executive Pastry Chef Taiesha Martin's Chocolate Decadence
Cake accompanied with Caramel Ice Cream and Cashew Caramel Popcorn; and Owner
Daniel DeSimone's own luscious creation, Dan's Lemon Meringue Cake.

Lemon Meringue Cake
Architecturally
stunning, with a marriage of antiques and contemporary décor, Glenmere Mansion
will enchant not only with its beauty, but also with its impeccable service, and
thoughtful attention to detail. Located less than 50 miles from New York City, Glenmere
Mansion is perfectly
situated for a romantic adult getaway weekend.

The Living Room
The
Supper Room is open for dinner Thursday through Saturday with 2 seatings at 6:00 pm and 8:15 pm. A Champagne Brunch is served on
Sundays from 11:00 am
until 2:00 pm.
Read about The Supper Room in the Restaurants section, and in the
Chefs' Recipes section where Executive Chef Rob Stella and
Executive Taiesha Martin
graciously shares a few of their recipes
to provide a delectable taste of the restaurant.
The Supper Room at Glenmere Mansion Recipes
Chef Rob Stella's
Boneless Rack of Lamb with
Chickpea Panisse, Piquillo Peppers, and Roasted Eggplant
Roasted Labelle Farms Foie
Gras with Rhubarb Sorbet,
Toasted Brioche and Salted Almonds
Chef Taiesha Martin's
Coconut Tapioca Pudding,
Pineapple Mojito Sorbet,
Sautéed Vanilla Pineapple,
and Candied Coconut
Glenmere Mansion
634 Pine Hill Road
Chester, New York 10918
United States
Telephone:
+1-845-469-1900
Fax:
+1-845-469-1919
Email:
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Website: www.GlenmereMansion.com
Read more about the Hudson Valley in the
Destinations, Restaurants, and Chefs' Recipes sections.
For additional information on
the Historic Hudson Valley, please
visit the website: www.HudsonValley.org.
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