The Hudson Valley and Catskills are renowned for their rich history of grand resorts and cozy bed and breakfasts, making the destinations a preferred home away from home for globetrotters and city dwellers, alike. However, the rise of expansive hotel chains have left the quaint, family-owned inns that once defined the region fading into oblivion.
In an attempt to breathe new life into these historic retreats, Travis and Azie Shelhorse started their boutique hospitality venture, {verdigreen} hotels, in 2018. Their vision was to rekindle the personal touch in a modern hotel experience. Leveraging Travis's vast knowledge of the hotel business and Azie’s creativity, they have successfully transformed eight historic sites in the Hudson Valley, New Hampshire, Florida, and Washington, DC into captivating dwellings that celebrate sustainability, authenticity, connection with community and resonate a unique charm.
The story of {verdigreen} hotels was conceived over a bowl of linguine on Travis and Azie's first date in 2006, says Azie, "Travis was determined to be a hotelier. I had only known him for 48 hours so I wasn't totally convinced of his plan, but he faithfully crafted his hospitality finance career towards that intention."
In 2010 they launched {verdigreen}, their design-centric home décor and painting studio, with showrooms in Montclair, New Jersey, and the East Village, NYC. "By 2018, we were ready to take the leap and find our first property" Azie adds. " Travis gleaned what he could from his hospitality career from investing to operations, and I was eager to be my own design client and focus on building our legacy. "
The search led them to their first {verdigreen} hotel in Woodstock. Their frequent visits to the Hudson Valley and Catskills for antiquing for their stores stirred an interest in the vibrant villages surrounded by nature. " When Travis found Twin Gables of Woodstock on the market and we had our first visit, it was love at first sight. The historic home right on Tinker Street needed a healthy injection of TLC, but we knew it could be restored to its former glory as the oldest operating inn in Woodstock" Azie explains.
Today, Twin Gables is a tribute to its vibrant, Bohemian past as a 1920s artists' hotel. The 10-room guesthouse is a delightful blend of light-hearted and quirky, with guest rooms inspired by especially bespoke artwork, adorned with rich, handmade murals, and vintage furniture with playful finishes. The very first {verdigreen} hotel is currently under Phase 2 of its renovations to add en suite bathrooms and a rooftop wellness terrace. Twin Gables Guest House is set to reopen its doors in late Spring of 2024.
Following Twin Gables' success came Hotel Mountain Brook in Tannersville, located high in the Catskill Mountains. This historic hotel is a mix of rustic cabins, woodsy mountain view rooms and luxury suites in an Adirondack Lodge. Hotel Mountain Brook underwent a facelift in 2008 as part of the Hunter Foundation's initiative to revitalize the town of Tannersville. The Shelhorses’ high-end reinterpretation of a classic mountain lodge, with its layered textiles and intricate woodwork, evokes the essence of a cozy forest retreat.
Their third Hudson Valley acquisition is East Chatham's Silver Maple Farm, a serene European farmhouse-style inn nestled between the Catskills and the Berkshires in Columbia County, New York. The eleven guest rooms showcase original post and beam architecture and an elevated soothing design, reflecting the use of natural materials and meticulous vintage detailing.
In revitalizing these Hudson Valley inns, the Shelhorses aim to provide warm hospitality and promise guests a one-of-a-kind experience at a {verdigreen} hotel.
