The Pines Resort which is now neglected was one of the biggest and most luxurious resorts of the Borscht Belt. Located in Fallsburg, New York, Daisy View Hotel as it was originally known opened its doors as a small hotel that offered simple services such as cold and hot baths, dinners, and live music. Nine decades later, the once-famous resort rots in despair.

Story Behind Pines Resort

Pines Resort started its operations in 1930 under the management of the owners Silverstein and Weiner. At its early stages of operation, the resort changed names from Daisy View Hotel to Moneka Lodge and to its current The Pines Resort. The name was changed to Pines Resort by Harry Cohen and May Schweid who bought the hotel from its original owners. Under the leadership of its new owners, the resort underwent major expansion changes making it the biggest and most referred resort in the region. The resort, unlike others in the Borscht Belt, had a state-of-the-art outdoor pool, golf course, bars, and clubs among other recreational facilities.

What led to its Downfall?

Over the years, most of the hotels and resorts of the Borscht Belt faced stiff competition over the changing dynamics in the hospitality industry. New luxurious hotels were being opened and by the 1980s, many of the visitors who initially loved the region’s hotels shifted total interest. To cope with the changing times, Pines Resort started an estate at a section of its extensive piece of land to not only give it extra revenue but to help keep the business at the resort up and running. Residents at the newly established estate were given full access to the resort. After years of struggling, the owners sold the resort to a real estate company that intended to turn the resort into a new and modern homestead. Due to this, it was permanently closed to this day.

Hazards at the resort.

Black molds which are extremely toxic were reported to be on the premises. Black mold is known to cause respiratory health issues that may even result in long-term health issues when one comes into contact with it for a long time.

What’s next for Pines Resort and is it open to the public? 

The resort is private property and nobody is allowed to trespass. Though it does not allow people within the property, the owners’ implementation of the no trespassing order is poor as the building is currently in shambles with graffiti all over the walls. Windows are shattered and valuables from the building have all been stolen. The owners had started some minor demolition but of late, it has stopped as they are currently battling in court against each other. As the saying goes, the grass is what gets hurt in a bullfight. Pines Resort is still a ruin with no hope of restoration in the foreseeable future.