The fluffy comforter pulled up under your chin. The sun peeking through the curtains to awaken you. A cocktail and a good book on the covered porch in the afternoon. It’s a dreamy day at the Stagecoach Inn in Goshen, New York, a charming Hudson Valley Inn. Writer Leslie Long got to experience it and invites us to check it out and check in.

The Guggenheim Room features a queen bed, striking colors and a cozy atmosphere. Photo courtesy the Stagecoach Inn.

At center stage, an historic Hudson Valley Inn:

There’s nothing like the combination of checking into a beautiful country inn, exploring the area and then settling back into the Inn’s comfortable restaurant for a meal to remember. Even better if there’s a talented mixologist with well-stocked bar to retreat to after dinner or before. And waking up to aromatic coffee, eggs off the farm, country bacon and fresh pastries completes the pretty picture.

I recently had that very experience at the history-filled Stagecoach Inn, newly renovated and reimagined by its talented and affable owner, Faith Ferguson. Also an event planner, Faith was looking for a project and knew she’d found her future as soon as she pulled up to the 272-year-old Inn which was down on its luck and in need of some good taste and love. With Faith at the helm, it has gotten all of that and more.

As you approach The Stagecoach Inn, you know you’re about to experience something special.

The Stagecoach Inn is beautiful before you even walk through the door.

The Stagecoach Inn in Goshen NY sits majestically atop a curved driveway — and the stately white building looks like it has stories to tell. The original structure dates back to 1747 and by 1801 it was operating as a restaurant and inn serving traveling militia and judges from the nearby courthouse. Before Faith’s transformation, a former model and local philanthropist named Margo Hickok operated it as a bed and breakfast. Faith and her husband Ron Boire purchased the Inn in 2014 and spent an entire year renovating the building and perfecting the property. In 2016, the Inn reopened, with the restaurant following shortly thereafter in 2017.

Today, The Stagecoach Inn welcomes visitors with open arms. The staff couldn’t be nicer and the decor is the perfect mix of elegance and comfort. Soothing colors, soft lighting, inviting textures and beautiful objects beckon at every turn.

There are so many inviting spots where guests can sit, relax and slow down.

After check in, we walked upstairs to our spacious room (one of five, each with distinctive decor) and settled on the comfy bed for a bit. Named Hickok after the previous owner, we were surrounded by soft blues and greens, soothing artwork and a gas fireplace. A large bath with a fully-restored Art Deco bathtub made bathing and showering an event. We soon headed downstairs to revel in the Inn’s beautifully manicured property.

I had the pleasure of staying in the Hickock Room,a large, lovely room and especially loved the restored vintage bathtub. Photo courtesy Stagecoach Inn.

The Inn has a backyard beyond compare.

While pretty from the front, the Stagecoach Inn has a truly spectacular backyard. Three rolling acres of grass surrounded by flowers and trees invite you to sit and relax. After a walk through town, we returned there to sip some Chardonnay while a combo played outside for a cocktail event (Faith’s event planning skills have made the Inn a popular spot for receptions, weddings, luncheons and more). Our dinner reservation was coming closer, but it wasn’t easy to roust ourselves from the idyllic setting. Faith joined us for awhile, telling us her renovation stories, making it obvious that this beautiful project was a real labor of love.

The backyard is the perfect place to enjoy a drink or just revel in the scenery.

Indoors or out, The Stagecoach Inn’s restaurant excels.

For dining, there are several intimate spaces ranging from an outdoor porch to two indoor dining areas. All are appealing for different reasons but we settled on the Solarium, surrounded by large arched windows. Mixologist Brian Shannon brought forth a Manhattan which struck just the right balance according to my husband, an aficionado of that longtime favorite cocktail.

I began with a memorable and unusual and carrot gazpacho made with yogurt, garam masala and toasted hazelnuts. Another appetizer of house-cured duck sausage with broccoli rabe, gnocchi and sundried tomato vinaigrette was tangy and delicious.

I truly enjoyed the pan-seared rainbow trout which so well fit the Inn’s country atmosphere. Photo courtesy the Stagecoach Inn.

My rainbow trout entree came with a creamy spinach risotto and onions the region is famed for growing. My husband’s pappardelle with portobello mushrooms and toasted pine nuts couldn’t have been better. The Stagecoach Inn has one of those seasonally inspired menus with so many appealing options, it’s not easy to choose, including the desserts. After some haggling, we settled on the horseshoe pie for dessert. Rich and silky, it’s the Inn’s interpretation of a classic shoefly pie.

According to Faith, her husband Ron has curated the many fine bourbons found in the cozy and welcoming bar. We relocated to the den-like space for an Angel’s Envy bourbon and a Ruby Port — and it couldn’t have been a better way to end the day.

The cozy bar is known for its range of bourbons — perfect for the fall and winter ahead.

The town of Goshen and the Black Dirt Region only add to your pleasures.

Just around the bend from the Stagecoach Inn, Goshen NY has something you don’t see every day: The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. Not only will you learn about this unusual form of horse racing, you can walk out back and watch the horses being trained and exercised around the scenic track.

I have often traveled in the Hudson Valley but this corner of it was new to me. The town of Goshen and the area’s fertile farmlands only add to the area’s pleasures. Driving through these dark, lush farmlands made for a spectacular detour on our way home. And a stop the family owned Quaker Creek Store  isn’t to be missed. Known for their Polish kielbasa and homemade sausages, a friendly welcome awaits. The staff is happy to pack purchases on ice and also serves a menu of Polish specialties that we were lusting after as they kept wafting past while we made our many purchases.

Whether for lodging or just a wonderful meal in a gorgeous welcoming setting, a stop at The Stagecoach Inn is a good idea in any and every season. — Story and photos (except where otherwise noted) by Leslie Long

To learn more about the Stagecoach Inn, Goshen NY visit their website or call 845-294-5526.

Hungry for more? See where else travel writer Leslie Long has been.