Though once prevalent, the vast majority of grand old mountain houses have succumbed to fire, neglect, or the ravages of time. But a few have been lucky, so lovingly cared for that they now have the character and richness of well-preserved antiques and count among our National Historic Landmarks. Take, for example, the 266-room Mohonk Mountain House on 2,200 acres of unspoiled forests, lakes, and streams in New York's Shawangunk Mountains.

This rambling hodgepodge of wooden verandas, crenelated stone towers, gabled roofs, balconied facades, rounded turrets, flagpole-topped spires, and Cubist chimneys seems to owe its fanciful architecture to whimsy rather than any grand plan. The oldest section dates to 1869, when Quaker twins Alfred and Albert Smiley replaced a 10-room tavern on Lake Mohonk with a grand Victorian hotel. The subsequent additions, the last in 1910, bear little relation to the original—or to each other—but that only enhances its charm.

Still operated by descendants of the original Smiley twins, the resort cleaves to some of its old traditions—like American Plan packages that include three huge meals—but has relaxed the Quaker ban on drinking by serving beer, wine, and liquor with meals and in guest rooms (though there's still no public bar) and supplemented the classic American cuisine with "Sound Choices" low in cholesterol, fat, salt and calories. It also introduced free summer and holiday children's programs and devotes almost every weekend to a different theme, which can be hiking, ballroom dance, arts, or music.

All of that enhances what remains one of the great natural preserves left over from the last century. Among its 85 miles of hiking trails is one that leads to Sky Top, the highest point in New York's Wallkill Valley, and an observation tower. Climb to the top and you step out onto a deck with a 360-degree panorama that on particularly clear days reaches into six states. Nothing, it seems, could be farther from Manhattan, though the drive takes only an hour and a half. Part of the reason for coming is this sense of complete escape that Mohonk Mountain House abets better than any of the other resorts in the region. But there is another, less well known aspect to Mohonk that makes it unusually appealing to tennis enthusiasts: half a dozen soft courts, two of them red clay.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 845-255-1000

Those red clay courts date to 1910 and the last additions to the hotel. Wander down for the morning Davis Cup drill clinic, as I did, and you're likely to find three generations of guests using the courts. "Up to 35 percent of the guests spend time here," notes director Pernell ("Perk") Larsen, "because the courts get noticed." Surrounded by a broad expanse of lawn, the courts lie just off a major footpath on a plateau above the beach on Lake Mohonk. "Hikers come by and see the red clay courts as ask 'What are these?'" Larsen continues. "We say, 'Here's a racquet, try it out.' We're small and can give a lot of personal attention."

It helps, too, that the resort decided to do away with court fees and provide free loaner racquets. "I want to give people exposure to the fun, fitness, and camaraderie of tennis," Larsen told me. "That's easier when it's free."

Each summer Larsen finds another way to expand the program. He supplements a variety of daily clinics (including parent-child sessions) with several weekly round robins, monthly 3-day weekend tennis camps, and periodic special events. He has also expanded the celebrity pro tennis programs, known as "Celebration Weeks," and added tennis clinics for teens. Both programs are free to house guests. "We have two to three staff for six courts," notes Larsen, "so we can accommodate whatever they want to do."

Tennis Staff. Larsen himself is a USPTR-certified pro with more than 25 years of teaching experience. Each summer he hires an additional one or two pros to help out, always ensuring that they, too, are USPTA or USPTR certified.
Tennis Programs. Programs consist of daily clinics, a three-times-a-week mixer, periodic mini-camps (two days midweek or weekends where participants devote 2½ hours each day to instruction and drills), and an aggressive partner-matching system that draws variously on other hotel guests, off-duty hotel staff, or locals and day visitors. They have also beefed up their junior program, called Kids Club, which provides tennis sessions for kids ages 5-14 three times a week, and added tennis clinics for teens. And check the Calendar below for special events.
Courts Fees. Court use is free to registered guests.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Mohonk Mountain House.

• ""—C.B., Beg., April 2008

• "Pro Perk Larsen and Assistant Pro Thad Grudin are most excellent teaching professionals. They organize clinics, tournamants, and tennis socials which are great fun. There are activities and games for players of all ages and levels. They are the best."—S.L., Adv. Int., April 2008

• ""—Y.D., Adv., April 2008

• ""—A.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Mohonk Mountain House has on of the nicest and the best run tennis facilities I had encountered over the years of spending tennis vacations at various resorts. Thanks to the resident tennis pro Pernel Larsen "Perk", and very dedicated tennis staff, my tennis vacations at Mohonk were not only enjoyable, but also represent important factor in maintaining and improving my tennis game."—A.T., Adv., April 2008

• "Simply stated...there is no place like Mohonk. Three types of surfaces, superb scenery and a great staff. Year after year Mohonk proves to be THE place to go!"—A.H., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "The tennis staff at this resort are very courteous and helpful with finding other guests for match play. They have a very deep knowledge of the skill levels of the repeat guest. As a first time guest, they made me feel at home."—S.P., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Fantastic geataway, lots of stuff to do, tennis, climbing, hiking, golf, biking, etc. Tennis pros are great, courts are fantastic. Accomodation, food and spa are excellent."—F.C., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Tennis program has great instructors and fixed me up with matchs with people of my skill level. A great tennis experence."—F.J., Int., April 2008

• "The Mohonk Mountain House Resort is a fabulous place to play tennis mainly because the relaxed and patient instruction from the tennis pros. Perc Larsen has a gentle way of inspiring you to perform your best and he demonstrates techniques in a way that is easy to follow. I played hard and learned a lot in the few days I had there. The courts were well groomed. Overall, a great place to improve your skills."—S.J., Low Int., April 2008

• "Mohonk provides a great tennis facility. Not only are the courts in an incredible location, there are always tennis activities. The tennis pro there always seems to have clinics going, with an incredible teaching style. The pro also has always helped me find a tennis partner, and has done an excellent job at matching partners in skill lever. Mohonks is my number one choice."—T.G., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "This large resort is still like vistiting a welcome home as the staff are truely attentive and friendly."—J.G., Low Int., March 2008

Other Recreation

Golf Courses. The resort has a nine-hole course.

Fitness Center. Work is complete the new 30,000-square-foot Spa at Mohonk Mountain House. It has 16 treatment rooms, a solarium, yoga/motion room, state-of-the-art fitness center and equipment, an indoor heated swimming pool, and an outdoor heated mineral pool.

And ... The lake has a roped off area for swimming, a beach of sorts, floating docks for sunning, and canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats. There are also stables, where you can arrange guided trail rides.

Children's Programs

Mohonk Tykes' and Children's Program for youngsters age 2-12 is available daily mid-June through Labor Day. A modified program is available most weekends and holidays year-round.

Lodging

Rooms range from traditional to luxurious tower rooms. The furnishings tend to be practical pieces in Victorian, Traditional or Edwardian style. All have modern baths though some still have early era tubs.

Restaurants

Meals are included in the package. Dinner is served in a cavernous room, rounded at one end, its walls and ceiling covered with pine wainscoting. The menu consists of classic American cuisine supplemented with "Sound Choices", the latter low in cholesterol, fat, salt, and calories.

See Also

If you like the sound of Mohonk, also check out:

• The Balsams, New Hampshire
• Grand View Lodge, Minnesota
• The Sagamore, New York

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Although the resort is open year round, the height of the tennis season runs from June into September.

Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
845-255-1000
Toll-free: 800-772-6646
Fax: 845-256-2100
Web Link: Mohonk Mountain House

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Travel Instructions. By Air: The nearest airport is in Newburgh, 35 miles away. By Land: Mohonk is a 90-minute drive from New York City in the Hudson Valley. Go north on the New York State Thruway (87 North) to Exit 18, New Paltz. It can also be reached by bus (Adirondack Trailways serves New Paltz) or train (Amtrak and Metro North to Poughkeepsie).

General Tourist Information. For information about other attractions in the area, visit the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce web site or contact them at 259 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561. Phone: 845-255-0243. For information about the Hudson Valley in general, visit the Hudson Valley Network web site.

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