Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park is the first segment of a billion-dollar project aiming to promote tourism in the Hudson Valley. Although there’s so much to see and do in this beautiful place, there aren’t many hotels that guests feel meet their expectations.
Hyde Park is known for its historic memorabilia. From touring the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt to lounging on the grass at the Vanderbilt Mansion, there’s much to see if you’re into American history.
This project is anticipated to become a world-class dining and tourist destination, while incorporating a myriad of residential units. The concept this project is following is known formally as an “agrihood,” which is essentially an area supported by agriculture. In this secluded space, residents and guests can work, play and eat in the same vicinity. This agrihood will eventually feature a vineyard, which will make it a spectacular spot for wine tastings.
According to the Bellefield website, “The ten-year combined operation and visitor spending economic impact from Phase 1 of the project will be more than $634 million. The hospitality component of Bellefield will create 550 jobs during its construction and provide nearly 370 full-time permanent jobs on-site.”
Tom Mulroy, the Chairman and Executive Chief Officer of Bellefield has dedicated years of his life to this project, with the support of his investment program T-Rex Capital Group.
“It’s on 340 acres, or 2.1 million square feet. The plans include a ratio of 60% residential units, 20% hospitality units and 20% commercial units,” Mulroy said. “That’s only 5% of the project. The project is 2.1 million feet [and] this is only 100,000 of it. So 95% of the project is still in planning,”
The hotel has seen a tremendous amount of visitors and support since its soft opening this past December, with occupancy rates from 45-95%. This structure is the first of two hotels in the plans for the property, currently featuring 136 guest rooms and one room between two suites, available for entertaining. With the perfect view of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Hudson Valley landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s a stunning space to host guests.
Once you step foot into the lobby, you’re immediately transported into the Pinterest board of your dreams. Comfortable chairs surround a fireplace that’s hanging from the ceiling, giving it a levitating effect. Next to the welcoming check-in counter is an array of sweets and treats to indulge in during your stay. This little grocery hub is known as “Eleanor’s Market,” a subtle nod to FDR’s wife. The majority of the items are from local vendors, including raw, fresh honey from Rockland Honey and bottles of whiskey from The Hudson House & Distillery, as well as various other unique items for sale. The lobby also holds the Storyteller Bar, which has a concise menu of appetizer foods, perfect to pair with a specialty cocktail.
The Inn at Bellefield holds sustainability as a top priority, incorporating many different ideas in its plans for building the structure. Each floor is equipped with motion-detected lights, which saves electricity when there’s nobody on a specific floor. They also decided to install water refilling machines on each floor, as opposed to the typical ice machine and keep one ice machine in the lobby for guest’s use. In their bridal suite-style entertaining room, the ceilings are beautifully crafted with the wood from the land the hotel was built on, which is a unique way of upcycling resources. Additionally, there are washers and dryers available for use, with a small fee of $2.50 per load, which is a crucial resource for those having an extended stay.
Each of the five floors is peppered with fantastic art pieces, which have been created by artists in the Hudson Valley. Each piece is available for sale and reasonably priced for their stature. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art gym, equipped with a plethora of Peloton bikes and other equipment for guest’s use. Although the property doesn’t currently have a pool, there are plans to build one embedded within the community, making it more accessible for those living in residential units.
“We wanted to be in the Hudson Valley and right across [from] the CIA,” Mulroy shared. “We ended up buying it from TD Bank back in… ‘07 or ‘08.”
The majority of the jobs filled thus far have included students attending schools in the area, such as the CIA and Marist. The opening of these jobs is quite accommodating to young adults who aren’t sure where to work after graduation. Some of these jobs include conducting cooking classes, wine tastings and even caviar tastings. Internship opportunities are also available, giving a hands-on experience without the commitment.
This May, The Inn at Bellefield is hosting its grand opening, which will be a celebration of the success of this project, while paving the way for further triumphs. Although decisions for this event are still in the planning phase, it’s sure to be a stellar event. For more information about the project and the unique events at The Inn can be found on their website, bellefieldhydepark.com.
