GETAWAYS • Upstate Intel

Belden House and Mews & Thai Baan

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW: Reporting in from an early preview of Belden House and Mews, a new hotel in the center of Litchfield, CT, from design-savvy folks behind Troutbeck across the border. A meticulously restored 1888 mansion makes up the front half of the property (10 guest rooms, restaurant, bar, library) while “The Mews,” a mid-century modern structure from 1959, includes 21 more guest rooms, several with private patios, as well as a bathhouse featuring a 225-gallon Japanese, ofuro-style tub. Decor is sourced from local artisans and purveyors like Dumais Made and White Flower Farm, and the rooms are all unique (consider the three-bedroom penthouse, where room service arrives from the kitchen via dumbwaiter).

Expect an elevated, locavore dining program from Tyler Heckman (Hotel Chelsea, El Quijote) and, just in time for summer, a pool and lawn club. Later this year, Belden will introduce a private members’ program (like Troutbeck’s) along with a third structure, The Firehouse, with more social and event space and additional F&B. Until then, the only way to guarantee a poolside lounger or seat at the jewel-box bar is by staying in-house. And since there’s nothing else like Belden in the area, expect weekend rooms to go fast. –Jason Klein

→ Belden House and Mews (Litchfield, CT) • 31 North St • from $575/wknd night • Book (N.B. no children under 12).

THAI FOR MILES: The latest restaurant in residence at Upstate’s Tenmile Distillery, Thai Baan, is filling a massive culinary gap (and the shoes of beloved Westerly Canteen), slinging spot-on renditions of pad krapow moo, green curry, and, if you’re lucky, a special of pineapple fried rice served right out of a pineapple. Even crowd-pleasers like spring rolls and chicken lettuce wraps stand out. Midweek, it’s still a locals’ secret, though high season on the patio will arrive in short order. Catch sunset in the orchard and pair your Thai feast with a cold local Mill House brew or a cocktail shaken with Tenmile’s homegrown spirits. –Jason Klein

→ Thai Baan at Tenmile Distillery (Wassiac, NY) • 78 Sinpatch Rd • Thu-Sun 5p-930p • Reserve.