INTO THE WYLD » THE WYLDER WINDHAM RESORT

As you roll into Windham heading west on Route 23, there’s a short jog where the babbling waters of the Batavia Kill hug the road before sharply bending southward, wrapping around a campuslike cluster of seven pristinely preserved buildings. This eclectic collection of historic lodges make up the newly reimagined Wylder Windham resort.

Formerly the Thompson House Resort, this icon of Catskills hospitality first opened its doors in 1880, lovingly owned and operated by six generations of the Thompson family. When it came up for sale in 2021, it was immediately appreciated by hotelier John Flannigan, who owns the Wylder chain of hotels. He described his first visit to the resort and town of Windham as “love at first sight.”

“I look for nostalgic, architecturally interesting, soulful, surprising locations with outdoor amenities that are built into the experience–not just a room and a restaurant,” said Flannigan, whose other two Wylder properties are located in Hope Valley, CA, in the High Sierras and on Tilghman Island, MD, in the Chesapeake Bay.

“The property was just incredible. Seven lodges with 20 acres and a body of water meandering through it. It had incredible grounds and trees and architecture, and the views of the mountains are great,” he crooned.

In just one year’s time, the 110-room resort, with its architecturally distinct lodges, were renovated. Many of the building’s historic touches were meticulously restored, much to the delight of long-time, returning guests. Every inch has been spruced with an eye for detail, comfort and good taste while effortlessly eschewing the air of pretension or try-hard chic that many of today’s hotels manufacture. The interior and exterior decor have been curated with a nod to authenticity.

Flanigan aspired for Wylder Windham to be a place offering something for everyone. And he has succeeded by diffusing the resort with a laid-back energy and community-friendly vibe where