Does the Resort in Dirty Dancing Exist?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of the 1987 classic movie Dirty Dancing, you may have found yourself wondering if the resort in the film actually exists. The answer is yes, and no.

The movie is set in the summer of 1963 at a fictional resort called Kellerman’s, which is located in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York. While Kellerman’s itself doesn’t exist, it was inspired by several real-life resorts that were popular during that time period.

One of these resorts was Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, which was located in Liberty, New York. Grossinger’s was known for its grand ballroom and hosted many famous performers such as Eddie Fisher and Tony Bennett. It also had a golf course, tennis courts, and a pool – all features that were included in Kellerman’s.

Another resort that served as inspiration for Kellerman’s was The Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, New York. The Concord was known for its luxurious amenities such as an indoor ice skating rink and a movie theater. It also had a large outdoor pool area where guests could relax and enjoy the sunshine – much like the guests at Kellerman’s.

While neither Grossinger’s nor The Concord Resort Hotel exist today as they did during the time of Dirty Dancing, there are still remnants of them scattered throughout Upstate New York. In fact, some scenes from Dirty Dancing were filmed at The Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia – which has since become a popular tourist destination for fans of the movie.

So while Kellerman’s may not be a real resort that you can visit today, its inspiration can be found throughout Upstate New York – providing fans with an opportunity to experience a little bit of what it might have been like to spend a summer at this iconic location.

In conclusion, while Kellerman’s may not exist as depicted in Dirty Dancing, it was inspired by several real-life resorts that were popular during the 1960s. Although these resorts are no longer in operation, their legacy lives on through the memories of those who visited them, and through the movie that captured their essence so perfectly.