There are places that don’t just welcome you—they gently shift the way you move, think, and breathe. Wildflower Farms, the newest jewel in the Auberge Resort Collection, is one of those places. Tucked into the Hudson Valley, just a 90-minute drive from New York City, it feels worlds away from the hum of city life. Here, meadows ripple in the breeze, birdsong floats through the air, and time seems to recalibrate to the pace of nature itself.
Since its opening last fall, Freddie and I had been looking forward to our stay, eager to see how it would compare to some of our favorite Auberge resorts around the globe. The truth? Wildflower Farms is unlike anywhere else we’ve been—at once rustic and refined, grounded yet indulgent.
A Sanctuary in the Valley
From the moment we arrived, I felt a stillness set in. Not silence in the empty sense, but a profound quiet—the kind that lets you notice the subtle music of nature. The wind whistling through the trees, the comforting crackle of firewood, the view of the Shawangunk Ridge standing strong in the distance.
The property itself is intimate and thoughtful. Sixty standalone cottages dot the grounds, designed to feel both secluded and deeply connected to the landscape. Ours felt like a modern cabin: a fireplace at the center, sliding glass doors framing endless meadow views, and interiors layered with natural textures that whispered, stay awhile. On a rainy day, I’d have happily curled up inside with a book, sinking into the glow of the fire before slipping into the soaking tub.
From Farm to Table, Quite Literally
One of the most memorable aspects of Wildflower Farms is, unsurprisingly, its farm. Wandering through its orchards and greenhouses with the head farmer was a revelation. It’s not just a working farm—it’s the heartbeat of the resort. Everything grown here flows directly into Clay, the property’s restaurant, where the menu evolves with the seasons.
Dinner at Clay was nothing short of remarkable. The dish that stole the show? The Farm Egg. Imagine a silky egg custard layered with parmesan, crowned with a snowfall of truffle shavings. It was so divine, I had to order it two nights in a row.
But what made the experience even more unforgettable was the hands-on element. We were invited to pull carrots and radishes straight from the soil—dirt still clinging to their roots—before heading into the kitchen for a pickling class. I’d never made sauerkraut before, but standing there with jars of cabbage, beets, and our freshly picked vegetables, I felt an unexpected thrill. It was surprisingly simple, and now we’ll have our very own jars to enjoy come Thanksgiving.
Nourishment for Body and Soul
Of course, no retreat is complete without a little indulgence, and Wildflower’s Thistle Spa was my sanctuary. Their treatments use Biologique Recherche products—already a favorite of mine—and I couldn’t resist trying their body scrub. It was my first, and I left feeling renewed, the treatment finishing with a deeply relaxing massage that I didn’t want to end.
When I emerged, blissfully dazed, Freddie was waiting with a warm cup of bone broth by the heated indoor pool. It’s those thoughtful little touches that make Wildflower Farms so special—the sense that every detail is designed to cocoon you in care.
A Babymoon, or Something More
Was this technically our babymoon? Perhaps. But it felt like so much more than that. It was a pause button in a season of life that’s often moving too fast. A chance to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with ourselves.
As we drove back toward the city, I carried that stillness with me, tucked somewhere between memory and gratitude. Wildflower Farms isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember how restorative simplicity can be.
