designboom and volkswagen kick off summer in new york with an off-grid 'getaway'

getting away from it all with volkswagen

During the past two years, architects have celebrated the new ‘work from anywhere’ norm, taking the chance to design studios and workspaces out in the remote wilderness — the team at Getaway, however, is bringing back the spirit of solitude in nature. The group of outdoor and wellness-lovers has scattered clusters of its tiny cabins across the most beautiful areas of the United States to offer an old-fashioned escape from reality, proudly excluding wifi connection, zoom calls, and that feeling that a vacation must combine remote work.

Last weekend, Volkswagen hosted designboom in a Getaway cabin to celebrate its 2022 models along with the opening of Getaway’s location in New York’s Eastern Catskills. As part of our trip, we embarked in a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, driving 2 hours 30 minutes north from the streets of brownstone Brooklyn to the fairytale woods upstate.

image by designboom | video header © studiocrow.co

a summer road-trip toward an off-grid weekend

Driving from the city to the remote upstate Getaway outpost (see more here), the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL handled it all (see more here). Because of its V6 engine and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, the SUV easily took us up steep slopes and down rocky dirt roads, certainly a change from our compact city car which has had us wincing on rough terrain in the past. Although we thought at first that our compact car was ideal for the tight city streets, the VW’s front assist, side assist, and rear traffic alerts were game-changing. Even someone who is not used to an SUV would feel confident driving as the vehicle itself is looking out for obstacles as well.

Once we had the address of the outpost locked into the car’s GPS, the spotty service was no mind. We were free to enjoy the drive with our road-trip playlist turned up and the sunroof open overhead — although the Atlas kindly reminded us that we might close it for better wind resistance.

the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL alongside our tiny Getaway cabin | image by designboom

stocked with everything we needed (and nothing more!)

We arrived at our cabin after dark, giving us a chance to thoroughly explore the stocked interior. As the team at Getaway promised, the cabin had ‘everything you need, and nothing you don’t.’ Most impressive was the massive, ceiling-height picture window above the bed.

Of course, we were eager to explore the kitchen which was fitted with a kettle, coffee, tea, creamer, and olive oil along with an AC and heating unit, a small electric stovetop, a mini-fridge, and dishware. We were delighted to find a shower in the compact bathroom with biodegradable soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Because it was linked to a personal hot water heater, we were sure to keep the hot showers brief.

While the space did have outlets for charging devices, we opted to store our phones in the tiny ‘lockbox’ as we wouldn’t be needing them during the escape. The only tech device in the cabin was a bluetooth speaker and radio. Actually, the radio seemed to only reach one station which played seventies music — a great backdrop for our internet- and cell phone-free stay.

the picture window frames and mirrors the endless woods of the Eastern Catskills

waking up in the fairy-tale woods at getaway

Sometimes it’s better to arrive at a place like a Getaway cabin at night, because of the sudden surprise of the morning view — especially when waking up in front of such a large window. Rising at the crack of dawn, we were greeted by a framed picture of endless, misty woods. Because our cabin was perched at the edge of a forest slope, it appeared as though we were lightly suspended among the trees. 

Even with its cozy and welcoming interior, the true spirit of the place exists in its natural, wooded surroundings — and the team at Getaway ensures that all its visitors make the most of it. Each cabin is fit for campfire cooking with a fire pit, grill grate, picnic table and Adirondack chairs, along with firewood or charcoal and a fire-starter. Waiting for us on arrival was a s’mores kit — a true essential when escaping into nature.

the car easily traveled up steep slopes and down rocky dirt roads

getaway into nature almost anywhere

Getaway has designed its tiny cabins to exist anywhere in nature — and they certainly do! The team has scattered its outposts across the U.S. — from the west, southwest, midwest, southeast, and northeast — with locations just a short drive from most major cities. Ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, the outposts are just far enough to feel completely removed from the city, but still realistically accessible by car for a weekend getaway. Find an outpost nearby and book a stay here!

the tiny cabin on wheels touches the land lightly, and is designed to exist anywhere in nature

inside, the picture window replaces a television screen with its larger-than-life view

pour-over coffee completes a morning in the woods

available in the cabin is a s’mores kit — a true essential when escaping into nature

while the space did have outlets for charging devices, we opted to store our phones in the tiny ‘lockbox’

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project info:

partners: Volkswagen, @vw | Getaway, @getawayhouse

location: Eastern Catskills, New York State

vehicle model: 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL V6 4MOTION (find it here)

photography: © designboom

videography: © studiocrow.co | @studiocrow.co