YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts, Catskills

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first pulled up to YO1 on Anawana Lake Road – honestly, the whole “longevity resort” thing sounded a bit too new-agey for me. But this place actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away in the Catskills about two hours from the city, and when you’re winding through those tree-lined roads near Monticello, you start to feel like you’re entering a different world entirely. The resort sits right on the lake, and I mean right on it – you can hear the water lapping from most of the rooms, which is incredibly soothing once you get used to it.

What makes YO1 different from your typical spa getaway is how seriously they take the whole wellness thing without being preachy about it. The staff actually knows their stuff – like, they’ll casually mention that certain treatments work better in the morning versus evening, or suggest specific hiking trails based on what your body needs that day. The accommodations are comfortable (though not luxurious – this is a 4-star place, not the Ritz), and the food is surprisingly good considering everything is designed around their wellness philosophy. I was worried I’d be stuck eating nothing but kale smoothies, but they actually serve real meals that happen to be healthy. The yoga pavilion overlooks the lake, and honestly, even if you’re not into yoga, it’s worth sitting there just for the view.

Here’s the thing though – this isn’t a place where you just show up and wing it. The whole experience is built around their integrative approach, which means you’ll spend time with practitioners who map out a plan for your stay. Some people love this structure, others find it a bit intense. The 7.2 rating makes sense to me because it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a traditional resort where you can just lounge by a pool with a cocktail, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you’re genuinely interested in learning about wellness and maybe resetting some habits – and you don’t mind being surrounded by people on similar journeys – it’s actually pretty transformative. The location helps too; there’s something about being away from everything in the Catskills that makes you more open to trying things you’d normally roll your eyes at. Plus, the staff has clearly figured out how to make wellness accessible without making you feel like you’re at a medical facility, which is harder to pull off than you’d think.