What it’s like staying at AutoCamp Catskills
Editor's Note
Hilton has expanded its reach into new territories over the last few years, from budget-friendly brands to a new luxury partnership and even into the great outdoors.
It’s the latter one, fueled by a partnership with outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp, that has intrigued me the most. After all, one doesn’t necessarily always equate an Airstream getaway with earning Hilton Honors points.
But I decided to celebrate my recent wedding anniversary by taking a trip to upstate New York with my husband and four-legged son to check out AutoCamp Catskills. Here’s what it was like enjoying one of the newest parts of the Hilton Honors ecosystem.
What is AutoCamp Catskills?
AutoCamp Catskills is the upstate New York outpost of the outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp, which Hilton partnered with earlier this year. When the partnership was first announced, Hilton leaders cited data showing younger travelers increasingly seeking more “exploration and adventure” in their travels.
AutoCamp Catskills features accommodations split among a mix of tents, cabins and Airstream suites. Airstream suites can sleep up to four guests, but keep in mind sleeping accommodations are split between a queen-size bed and a sofa that folds into a double bed (so it might be ideal for three adults or two adults and two children). Tent accommodations have a similar setup while cabins offer more space thanks to bunk beds in addition to the queen-size bed and folding sofa.
How to book AutoCamp Catskills
You can now book AutoCamp stays directly on the Hilton website and earn and redeem Hilton Honors points on an AutoCamp visit. While my stay was complimentary, you can generally find rates starting around $200 per night.
When booking AutoCamp Catskills, you'll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hilton stays, or possibly one that offers automatic Hilton Honors elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status, and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status, and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Silver elite status, and the ability to upgrade to Gold status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Diamond elite status.
The location
AutoCamp Catskills is in Saugerties, New York, which is a three-hour drive from Boston and a two-hour drive from New York City. The nearest major airport is Albany International Airport (ALB), a 55-minute drive away.
Woodstock, New York, home to a great restaurant and shopping scene, is just a 10-minute drive from AutoCamp Catskills. If you’re looking to pay respect to 1969’s famous peace-love-and-hippie-laden Woodstock music festival, just note that it actually took place 40 miles away from its namesake town. You'll find several nature trails in the vicinity, like a walking path to the Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River, a 13-minute drive from the AutoCamp site.
If you’re looking to shop or grab a bite to eat in either Saugerties or Woodstock, it’s best to have a car with you, as Uber and taxi services are limited in the area. We found both towns to be great for perusing bookshops and kitchenware stores, as well as finding dog-friendly places to eat outdoors and soak in the beginning of fall foliage.
Checking in
Check-in at the Clubhouse is an unfussy affair at AutoCamp Catskills, but it’s important to note the AutoCamp arrangement is a partnership and not an acquisition by Hilton. That means some of the tech-forward aspects of Hilton, like mobile check-in and mobile keys from the Hilton Honors app, weren’t offered during my stay. Further, my own check-in was delayed while a disgruntled Hilton Honors Diamond member was complaining about a lack of a room upgrade.
All that aside, my check-in experience was friendly and straightforward. I got the keys to my Airstream Suite along with a s’mores kit and a bundle of firewood for the outdoor fire pit. For Hilton Honors elite members, those with Silver status get two eco-friendly waters with their stay, while Gold members receive the waters, a bundle of firewood and a space-available upgrade. Diamond members receive all the benefits as Gold members, plus a s'mores kit. After I got a map showing where on the property my Airstream Suite was located, I was off to grab a green wagon to move our luggage and dog accessories from the car to our two-night home-away-from-home.
Keep in mind: AutoCamp Catskills charges a nightly $37.80 amenity fee, which goes toward activities, coffee and tea, board games, on-site parking, and EV charging.
The rooms ... er ... Airstream Suites
The Airstream Suite was a long way from what I was used to growing up when my dad thought buying an RV was a smart post-retirement idea. I’m happy to report the Airstream Suite at AutoCamp came with none of the repeated driving-into-a-fence drama that came with my father learning how to drive an RV (no offense, Dad!). Plus, the water pressure in the shower was a lot stronger than what I had in the RV getaways of my youth!
Is a stay at AutoCamp Catskills akin to staying at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad? No, but that’s not the point of a stay at one of these properties. The Airstream Suite was cozy and had a surprisingly ample amount of space to unwind for all two- and four-legged members of my small family.
The kitchenette and living area featured a small table and a folding couch that pulled out into a double bed. There was a small closet area that had two folding TV tray tables for dining, a minifridge, a microwave and clothes hangers. Other amenities included a lantern, plates and cutlery, and a kettle with tea and pour-over coffee.
The bedroom featured a queen-size bed flanked by nightstands that had built-in USB-A charging ports and light controls. There was a mix of cloth curtains and pull-down, blackout shades for the windows that, based on later-than-usual wake-up times both mornings, were effective at keeping out the morning light.
While my childhood RV memories made me a little skeptical about what the shower experience would be like at AutoCamp, I’m happy to report that it was on par with some actual hotel stays in recent memory.
Water pressure in the walk-in, glass-walled shower was more than excellent in terms of camping and RV travel, and less than stellar compared to a luxury hotel. Daily housekeeping is not offered at AutoCamp, but you can get fresh towels and linens upon request.
Again, you’re here to be one with Mother Nature and not one with heated bathroom tiles and evening turndown service, folks!
Something to note: While Airstream Suites and cabins include en suite bathrooms, tent accommodations do not. Bathroom and shower facilities are located in the main Clubhouse for these guests.
Outside the Airstream Suite, there was a dining table and benches, as well as a seating area around a fire pit with a grill rack. We christened the s’mores kit we got at check-in one night during our stay and paired our campfire creations with a bottle of nebbiolo we procured earlier in the day from a wine shop in Woodstock. Red wine alongside melted chocolate and marshmallows over graham crackers is the combination I never knew I needed!
Dining at AutoCamp Catskills
Guests can head to the Clubhouse each morning for granola, hot coffee and tea, which are included in the nightly amenity fee. Beyond that, you can buy extras in The Kitchen and General Store. The Kitchen is open all day and serves everything from avocado toast ($12) to cauliflower crust pepperoni pizza ($15) and tater tots ($9). There was even a guitarist-singer performing one night while we snacked in the Clubhouse as others played board games.
We found the morning granola a great start to the day and the cauliflower pizza and tater tots a decent evening snack, but if you’re a foodie looking for a true taste of upstate New York, you'll want to head into Saugerties or Woodstock for heartier fare. For those looking to cook closer to their home-away-from-home, the General Store offers a variety of items for purchase, from chips and salsa to everything you need for hot dogs and burgers cooked over your own fire pit.
Amenities
While you won’t find things like a spa or full-service restaurant at AutoCamp Catskills, there are plenty of offerings to keep guests entertained. You can expect experiential offerings like morning yoga, game nights, stargazing and guided hikes. Unfortunately, cloudy weather at night and rainy weather in the morning thwarted my stargazing and sunrise yoga ambitions — just a reason to return at a different time!
While many activities are included in the nightly amenity fee, some come with an additional cost.
Reasons AutoCamp Catskills might not be for you
While AutoCamp Catskills has plenty of strengths, there are some things that might make other lodging accommodations better for your upstate New York getaway:
- Those looking for a full-service hotel with amenities like daily housekeeping and a full-service restaurant should look at nearby hotels and inns instead.
- These are meant to be “luxury outdoor accommodations,” but it’s still a campsite at its core. Expect some degree of “roughing it,” whether it’s the smell of campfires from your neighbors or — if you’re staying in one of the tent accommodations — a bit of walking time to get to the shower and bathroom facilities.
- As evidenced by a bit of grumbling I observed from a few proud Hilton Honors members visiting at the same time, there appeared to be some growing pains in terms of adapting loyalty benefits to this new partnership. Be patient but also aware that there are elite benefits to being Silver, Gold or Diamond with Hilton Honors when you go to stay at an AutoCamp.
Accessibility
There are accessible routes into the Clubhouse and main public areas, and the most accessible accommodations are the Accessible Suites, which are tiny house-style lodgings with ramp access. These spaces feature a roll-in shower with a fold-down seat, hand-held showerhead and grab bars, as well as a roll-under sink in the bathroom.
Checking out
AutoCamp Catskills was a fun, dog-friendly place to stay and celebrate our anniversary without having to travel too far from our home in Boston. Hilton Honors members should welcome the new offering as a unique way to enjoy some of the most gorgeous parts of the U.S. (other locations include Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on the East Coast and Joshua Tree, California, out west) — all while earning points.
Related: The best places to stay near Zion National Park
I certainly look forward to the next opportunity to check in to one of the Airstream Suites and make s’mores while my dog longingly looks on.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.