All of us carry in our hearts and minds memories of a childhood home or place so special and treasured that nothing in our adult lives ever measures up to it. The Gortels are an exception however, one of the lucky who live and work in a setting reminiscent of their native country.

Danielle and her husband Paul have operated the Inn since 1988. They left Poland twenty years ago and settled first in New York City. Their shared love of skiing however, brought them to the Hunter area. Prior to becoming the Deer Mountain fun, this beautiful turn-of-the-century stone and wood house passed through several owners and was use as a private residence, a hotel, a church-run camp for underprivileged children from New York City and a year-round vacation resort called Toppersfield.

Today the Deer Mountain Inn has been extensively renovated. We offer two candlelit dining rooms, a lounge and bar with two large stone fireplaces where guests may enjoy before and after dinner drinks. The lighting fixture suspended from the ceiling in the bar is a hand painted glass shade with a lush floral motif, the work of Danish born Ulla Darni, a former designer for Royal Copenhagen Porcelain.

The Inn with seven lovely rooms, two with wood burning fireplaces, private bath and color TV is open all year. Fifteen acres of rolling lawns and woodlands is a beautiful setting for weddings, private parties and corporate gatherings.90 plus can be accommodated inside and in summer, up to 200 use our lovely terrace and tent. Christmas time is also very special at the Inn and our New Year's Eve celebration of dining and dancing requires formal attire. Reservations for all events must be made well in advance.

Executive Chef Shamus Butler was hired by the Inn in July of 1995. A 1985 graduate of the famed Culinary Institute of America in historic Hyde Park, New York. Chef Butler has an extensive 30 year background from four star hotels, intimate bistros and popular dining establishments on Long Island to Manhattan and here in the Catskill Mountains. His kitchen philosophy has remained much the same from his earliest days behind the stove, to serve quality products with constant care – always with a creative flair.  Local are residents and global travelers alike consider the chef’s culinary repertoire to be “of the highest order”. The Chef invites you to join us here at the Deer Mountain Inn for a fabulous dining experience.

Bon Apetit