Dream Hotel Group has 18 hotels around the world and now they are opening one right here in Sullivan County. The Chatwal Lodge, a five-star luxury resort, will be located within Chapin Estate, an elite housing development off Route 55 in Bethel.
Nestled among 26 acres along the wooded shores of the Toronto Reservoir, The Chatwal Lodge is expected to open in spring 2020. The resort will boast 34 private villas and suite accommodations, refined rustic design and farm-to-table culinary experiences by Alain Ducasse, a world-renowned chef from France with the most Michelin stars.
A groundbreaking ceremony for this exciting development took place recently and featured local and statewide politicians including New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm as keynote speakers.
“The Chatwal Lodge will bring full- and part-time jobs, both during construction and after it opens,” said Sturm. “The new tourists and visitors that will come to Bethel will also bring new commerce and better economic opportunity for all the businesses already located here.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in what will be the Main Lodge of the Chatwal, a communal area for guests to eat, drink, mix and mingle. The building used to be the home of Chapin Estate developer Steve Dubrovsky.
Sant Singh Chatwal, the Chairman of Dream Hotel Group, spoke at the ceremony and was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd. “Within this decadent and simply unprecedented country retreat, The Chatwal Lodge is a magical destination where luxury meets nature,” Chatwal said. “And we are committed to embracing the natural resources of the area to create an enterprise that truly redefines the town and country luxury living experience.”
The lodge is being designed by Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects of Dallas, TX. Buildings and other features will be made with white pine trees, so that the overall effect is very natural and uses elements already found there in nature.
Jay Stein, CEO of Dream Hotel Group said, “Drawing inspiration from the Catskills’ rich history, rustic architecture and breathtaking natural setting, The Chatwal Lodge will be the star of Sullivan County and a critical addition to our growing global portfolio.”
With 18 hotels open today and 20 new locations currently in development worldwide, Dream Hotel Group is on track to triple its existing portfolio by 2022. The groundbreaking of The Chatwal Lodge signals another exciting milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the company and its portfolio of lifestyle brands.
The opening of The Chatwal Lodge is also part of a larger economic development plan for the Town of Bethel and the county. The project is expected to generate tax revenue and create new jobs, while also offering the growing residential and business communities a new reason to work and play in the countryside destination.
President and CEO of Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association Roberta Byron-Lockwood said, “The Catskills is a picturesque mountainous region that has been long known as a popular getaway since the beginning of the 20th century. The Chatwal Lodge will help solidify its reputation as a global destination for years to come.”
The lodge will not be a standard hotel with rooms, but rather all accommodations will be private villas, suites, cabins, tree houses and glamour tents. There will also be restaurants, event venues (you could hold a wedding there) and a spa, which will all be open to the public.
“We are delighted to finally commence construction on this iconic project,” said Dubrovsky. “We greatly appreciate the patience and guidance of everyone involved as we carefully design and connect this new, five-star retreat within the expanse of Chapin Estate, one of the Catskills’ most serene and beautiful natural landscapes.”