NEW YORK, NY (January 29, 2019) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announced today plans to open the second U.S. location of its new lifestyle brand Unscripted Hotels in New York’s picturesque Catskill Mountains in early 2020. Centrally located within the new Shops at White Lake complex in Bethel, New York, Unscripted Catskills marks the company’s first ground-up build using modular construction, incorporating both hotel and retail, and will serve as a prototype for the Unscripted brand moving forward.
Set to open in late 2019, The Shops at White Lake development include an additional 75,000 square feet of retail and professional office space, establishing a much-needed Central Business District for the town of Bethel.
Dream Hotel Group is also developing The Chatwal Lodge, a five-star luxury resort nestled among 26 acres along the wooded shores of the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir at the Chapin Estates in Bethel, New York. The Chatwal Lodge is expected to open in fall 2020 with 34 accommodations through an array of offerings, including villas, suites, treehouses and tents coupled with world-class, farm-to-table culinary experiences by DUCASSE Paris, founded by multi-Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.
“Dream Hotel Group is doubling down on iconic Catskills Mountains and beautiful Sullivan County,” said Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein. “With the development of Unscripted Catskills now fully underway, following the recent groundbreaking of The Chatwal Lodge nearby, it’s our goal to be a responsible partner to the community and a driving force in the ongoing restoration and revitalization of the region.”
Designed by Rockwell Group, Unscripted Catskills will feature 100 guest rooms and suites, a large outdoor pool house and fitness center, expansive meeting and event space, and two food and beverage outlets, including a 2,000-square-foot restaurant and a 1,000-square-foot grab and go eatery.
“One of the most vital aspects of Unscripted is the brand’s commitment to each site’s local context and community,” says Shawn Sullivan, Partner and Studio Leader, Rockwell Group. “Working with Dream Hotel Group, Rockwell Group has a terrific opportunity to bring this to life through the hotel’s design. Drawing inspiration from the Catskills’ idyllic landscape and deep-rooted history, we are blending the modern and unexpected without losing sight of the region’s rich heritage.”
Rockwell Group’s design concept reimagines the classic upstate New York farmstead experience to evoke a modern rural retreat. Layers of highly textured and raw materials, such as those found in stone, heavy timber, exposed brick and blackened steel, are reinterpreted to create a contemporary environment.
Through thoughtful design and regional food and beverage offerings, the public spaces are intended for both visitors and locals alike. One key design element is a monumental, double-height fireplace that unites the lobby and welcomes guests with an immediate sense of warmth. Surrounded by residential-style furnishings, the public space encourages social gathering, conversation and relaxation.
Located just 90 miles from midtown Manhattan, Unscripted Catskills at The Shops at White Lake is part of a larger economic development plan for the town of Bethel, New York. Named one of the ‘top 10 regions to visit in 2019’ by Lonely Planet, the Catskills and Sullivan County have seen an increasing number of visitors due to its vast recreational activities and growing arts and culture community. When open, Unscripted Catskills and The Shops at White Lake are 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.
With 19 hotels open today and 20 additional locations currently in development worldwide, Dream Hotel Group is on track to triple its existing portfolio by 2022. Unscripted Catskills signals another exciting milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the company and its portfolio of lifestyle brands.
