There aren't many Hudson Valley estates in laid-back Ulster County and it's exceptionally rare for one to come to market. Ashokan House is perched in the foothills of the Catskills with panoramic views of the reservoir that lends its name. Sited amid towering pines & dramatic rock outcroppings, the 11,000 square foot mansion was designed for entertaining, yet also offers intimate spaces, which allow it to function as a nurturing family home. The grand living, dining & game rooms flow effortlessly into each other and feature soaring 14-foot ceilings, rich woods, fireplaces & sophisticated architectural detail. A sprawling all-stainless steel kitchen, scaled for preparing for a crowd, is complemented by a cozier family kitchen and adjacent breakfast room for casual gatherings & weeknight meals. A first-floor bedroom suite opens to a private porch, one of many dreamy, romantic outdoor spaces dotted throughout the property. Part way up to the guest wing, the stairway veers to a classic, mahogany-paneled study/library with a dazzling view of the reservoir, one of many perches within the home from which it's visible. The guest wing houses a suite of rooms, including a bedroom with sitting area, office space, lavish bathroom, sauna and access to a large elevated patio & the view. The home's grand staircase leads to a skylit atrium, a sitting room of sorts, from which 3 additional bedroom suites are accessed, including the opulent master, a luxe space that's made for relaxing, pampering or dreaming. The space is huge, incorporating a cherry-paneled sitting room, 2 fireplaces, private outdoor space facing the reservoir, all-white bathroom with sunken whirlpool tub, sauna, separate facilities and lots of closet space. Each bedroom in the home has its own bathroom and most have fireplaces; there are eleven fireplaces in all. With such beautiful grounds, mature landscaping and bountiful nature, it's no surprise that there are plenty of doors to the outside, porches and patios galore, and paths that lead to private, secluded spaces throughout the property. The lodge-like carriage house incorporates a six-car garage and includes 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, great room with stone fireplace, office/sitting room & a spiral staircase to an observation tower that's one of the most magical spots from which to gaze at the reservoir below and the sky above. When there's a desire to leave home, attractions abound. Ashokan House is a short drive from Woodstock or Kingston.
