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The building, dating back to the 1850’s, took form as a residential structure in Woodstock’s famed 1960’s heyday. The antique church has recently completed it’s latest reincarnation to offer a hybrid rental retreat. An easy drive from New York City, the concept has evolved as an amenities-driven haven delivering an effortless bucolic experience.
‘Sanctuary’ defines itself somewhere between a posh rental property and a quaint inn.
Providing her guests with an impressive range of comforts, owner Kerry Cubas avails herself to be as absent or present as clients prefer. The intent being to permit guests to readily assume the joys of life in the country; automatically plugging-in to many lesser known and finer points of the naturally diverse and culturally rich locale, while luxuriating in a truly ethereal setting.
"Just a stone’s throw away", guests will be directed to a swimmin’ hole, twice daily yoga classes, horseback riding, bicycle riding and picnicking - all that and more arranged in advance for the savvy sojourner to effortlessly partake. Further sumptuous delights can be determined for additional fees, such as in-situ culinary lessons that culminate in festive meals around an exquisite inlaid patterned dining table, massage and aroma therapist visits, private yoga and/or pilates tutorials, astrological consultations and art buying/studio visits.
A popular welcome service is the stocking of the gourmet kitchen with organic fruits, vegetables and meats from local growers and purveyors [some from the host’s own organic garden], in accordance with individual preferences. Within the antique church, technology provides a selective balance between then and now with wireless internet access [wifi], satellite radio, a 400 film DVD library, an iPod dock/speaker station, telephone (cell phones don’t always work in the area) and cable TV (for those who must). The endless array of services at ‘sanctuary’ is delivered in a very discerning yet unpretentious manner. Bohemian chic perhaps best describes the culture of ‘sanctuary.’
Sanctuary’s sublime architecture stands with strength and grace. The open floor plan of the main room, originally the body of the church, is a truly sacred space. The soaring ceilings ascend dome-like to culminate at about 25 feet in height. Walls and ceilings are covered in beautiful antique tin, pressed into a fleur-de-lis pattern. Recently painted in a somewhat opalescent, chameleon-like colour to reiterate the subtlest tone of yet another artifact within the monument. Stained glass windows triumph within, and are balanced without, offset by three tremendous gothic windows outside of which one sees the densely forested surrounds. The stained glass windows are regal, at almost twenty feet in height, patterned in a non-religious motif.
Open year-round, rentals can be reserved on weekly, monthly and seasonal basis.
Please call to discuss availability, rates and policies. |
