We went to Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck for a one-night girls’ trip to celebrate our amazing friend’s 50th birthday. The company? Couldn’t have been better. The hotel? Gorgeous. The overall experience? Well… it had range.
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The Town:
Rhinebeck is absolutely adorable—clean streets, charming shops, and that perfect small-town energy. One boutique that really stood out to me was Zephyr, where the clothing is actually designed by the owner herself. Everything was cool and unique—especially these long, sheer over-tops that you could dress up or down. I tried on a structured skirt that didn’t just look fashionable—it felt like I was wearing a work of art. The store associate reminded me that fashion is supposed to be fun, and she wasn’t wrong. I can’t wait for an opportunity to go back.
Another gem was Willow Wood which had such a fun, curated vibe. They had amazing beaded purses, cool shoes, and the most gorgeous floral skirt that I had to bring home with me. I’m counting down the days until I get to wear it.
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The Hotel:
Mirbeau looks like a tucked-away French chateau. It’s a little hidden, and then suddenly—bam! You’re on a gorgeous, serene property that makes you feel like you’re somewhere special.
Check-in was simple… for me. That’s because our amazing friend organized this whole trip and somehow wrangled 16 women without losing her mind. I wasn’t part of the actual check-in process, but from my end, it looked smooth—though I imagine coordinating all the rooms and preferences took a miracle.
Our room was perfect for our group of four—plenty of space, two comfy beds, and all the cozy vibes. The shower products were luxurious and fragrant, and the robes? Truly the most comfortable robes I’ve ever worn. That said, I did have a bit of a situation: I turned the shower on from outside the glass door, and it basically launched a water show all over the bathroom. No one else had this issue, so I’m going to file that under “just me things.”
One big bonus: the spa locker rooms are a lifesaver for getting ready if you’re sharing rooms. You can shower, blow-dry, and get dressed in peace, and honestly, it feels kind of luxurious.
At night, they leave truffles and an aromatherapy mist on your pillow. The truffles were melt-in-your-mouth good, and the mist added such a sweet, thoughtful touch. More of that energy, please!
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The Spa:
We spent a good chunk of the day at the spa, which had some hits and some misses. My therapist asked me what I liked, and I said I love having my head and neck massaged. She said, “Great, I’ll save that for the end,” but sadly, she must have forgotten. Also, instead of warming the oil in her hands like most spas do, she poured it straight onto my back cold, which was not the zen moment I had in mind.
When I checked out and was asked how my massage was, I said “okay” and mentioned a few issues. The response? A completely robotic, “A 20% gratuity has been added to your bill. Is that okay?” I mean… you can’t say no.
Before our treatments, we relaxed in the quiet room, which had dreamy lounge chairs. I do feel for the other guests though—our group of 16 tried to keep it down, but let’s be honest, spa robes don’t cancel out the volume of women catching up and laughing.
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Cabanas & Chaos:
We had two cabanas reserved around a hot tub, which sounds relaxing—unless it’s 100 degrees out and you’re melting in real time. Also, I wrongly assumed there’d be a pool. Spoiler alert: there’s not. (Which just proves what they say—when you assume, you make an… well, you know.)
Then lightning struck—literally—and we had to evacuate. The hotel didn’t have a proper indoor backup for groups, so they tucked us into the library, where we weren’t allowed to eat. We asked about sitting in the restaurant and were told it was “reserved for a wedding.” I saw a bride. I did not see a wedding.
Eventually, after some back-and-forth, we were allowed to order a charcuterie board, which came sans crackers and with meat that smelled a little… off. I’m guessing they were worried about crumbs, but it didn’t exactly feel welcoming.
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Dinner & Nightlife:
Dinner was at To Pretty To Think—a very cool, very moody restaurant. The vibe was on point and our long table looked amazing, but they didn’t have basic drink options like Sprite, so picky eaters might struggle. Afterward, some of the group went out to a local bar, but the town had basically shut down for the night. I headed back to the hotel, where my chocolate and pillow spray were waiting. No regrets.
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The Morning After:
In the morning, I asked someone near the restaurant for iced coffee. She didn’t even work in food service but kindly helped—and a nearby waitress jumped in and made it happen. The coffee was actually delicious. However, we weren’t allowed to sit inside the restaurant or even on the patio. Instead, we had to sit out front at random tables like the misbehaving kids at Thanksgiving.
After that, we went to About the Bread for breakfast, which was exactly what we needed. Their avocado toast was amazing, and while it’s a casual, order-at-the-counter place where you bus your own table, it totally worked. Simple, yummy, no drama.
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Final Verdict:
Mirbeau is beautiful, the rooms are thoughtfully designed, the spa has potential, and the robes are everything. But the service was hit-or-miss and at times left us feeling more like intruders than guests. For the price, I expected a bit more warmth and flexibility.
Would I go back? Possibly—but definitely with a smaller group, lower expectations, and a confirmed masseuse request in hand. With the right vibe and a little luck, I think it could be the relaxing escape it’s meant to be. This trip gave us laughs, great memories, and some funny stories we’ll be telling for years.
Maybe it’s just a Rhinebeck thing—a little too curated, a little too cool, and a little too rule-heavy. If you go, bring your sense of humor, your patience, and your best robe (though honestly, they’ve already got the best one waiting for you).
I do recommend everyone visit Rhinebeck at least once—it’s a beautiful town with so much charm and character.
