When you first arrive at the front door of Susumu and Rebecca Sato’s Beds on Clouds, a Victorian bed & breakfast that sits stately on Rt. 23, Main Street, Windham, NY you don’t think you can get any closer to Heaven than this.

The Town of Windham is, in fact, affectionately known as the “Land in the Sky.” According to the Micmacs and Ojibwas, the stars in the night sky are the lights of campfires burning brightly before the wigwams of the dwellers of the land in the sky, but it was probably the Iroquois who gave them the name On-ti-ora or Land in the Sky. So, it only stands to reason that if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep in the “Land in the Sky,” you can’t go wrong by planning a stay at Beds on Clouds.

Innkeepers Rebecca Segerstrom-Sato and Susumu Sato both have extensive fine art backgrounds, which they were not afraid to use when designing their inn. With over 20 years in the photo/advertising business to hone their sense of style and taste, the Satos have hand-picked every one of their inn’s furnishings and decorations, creating a delight for the senses. The name itself, Beds on Clouds, conjures romance. The theme for each of the rooms are clouds. The ceiling of each room has been designed and hand painted with a cloud motif by fine artist Betty Sweet. Sunset Clouds, Sunrise Clouds, Pink Clouds, and Storm Clouds. Picture feather beds, blue skies, cloud ceilings: if this isn’t Heaven, it’s pretty darn close.

And to add to the bounty that is Beds on Clouds, innkeepers Rebecca and Susumu Sato are planning a few surprises for their guests in February, the month of love. According to Rebecca, she and Susumu may add some red roses and little chocolates to each room. They may even add a bottle of wine as well.

“Sometimes our guests will call ahead and ask us to add specific loving touches to the room ahead of time or on Valentine’s Day. Cakes, flowers, chocolates, turndown service with rose petals, things like that,” said Rebecca.

Why do lovers enjoy the Sato’s inn so much?

“Beds on Clouds is not your everyday Bed and Breakfast. It’s small, precious, and intimate. It is situated in the historic district of picturesque Windham in the Northern Catskills. And we try to make everyone feel at home.

“Most couples, whether they are honeymoon couples, lovers or married couples, enjoy the coziness and intimate atmosphere of Beds on Clouds rooms. They come for a getaway, a peaceful haven to unwind from the hectic everyday pace. Many of them appreciate the ecologically friendly natural cleaning products that are being used and the fact that the water throughout the house is filtered. Of course, our delectable breakfasts add to a wholesome and happy experience. Beds on Clouds is where divine hospitality reigns!!!,” offered Rebecca as the reason her customers return to the Sato’s little piece of heaven again and again.

Before coming to the Catskills, the Sato’s were world travelers. Rebecca, a native German/Prussian, is fluent in German, French and Italian. Susumu is from Sapporo, Hokkaido, the snow paradise of Japan. Their partnership began in New York City, where Susumu’s professional photographic eye and Rebecca’s creative flair made them an instant match. Together, they created a world-class advertising and editorial photography business.

In the three decades since Susumu (known professionally as Sato) began taking photographs in Manhattan—from his early street photography in the tradition of Henri Cartier-Bresson, through editorial work including covers for The New York Time Magazine, Self, and Money, still-life advertising projects, and personal projects blending technical skill with his eye for portraiture, he has become a master in the industry.

Since her first meeting with Sato, artist Rebecca Segerstrom has put much of her creativity in design and presentation. Recognizing that they both came from “snow countries” such as Hokkaiddo, Japan and East Prussia, Germany, where it can snow for days and the summers can be very similar to the Catskills, they decided to end their advertising photo business in New York City, take a leap of faith, and follow an invitation from a professional acquaintance to spend some time in Windham, NY. There, they experienced an entire summer watching the varied summer skies that the Catskill High Peaks is famous for.

“We experienced a whole summer and watched the beautiful Catskills clouds. We watched 9/11 on television, and we continued to explore the surroundings of Windham. After a few months we decided to start a new life in the Catskills. We found the 1854 Victorian mansion on Windham’s Main Street and resurrected it. We created a photography studio and fine art photography gallery for Susumu and created the Bed and Breakfast, Beds on Clouds, for the upstairs. Windham is called Land in the Sky and we thought that Beds on Clouds could be an appropriate name for such endeavor…. The rest is history,” said Rebecca.

If you want to stay indoors and enjoy a leisurely turn-down day, you can while away the time by stroll through the Sato’s Photo Gallery on the first floor of the inn or converse with this internationally-sophisticated couple on a variety of different topics in a variety of different languages!

For those who want to travel back in time to when Main Street was Main Street, Windham is just the place for you. Men’s Journal has called Windham “a dream town” and “one of the 20 wildest, tastiest, smartest mountain…communities in America.” Here you’ll find art galleries, antiques, restaurants, and a variety of other small shops to quench your thirst for browsing.

For more information or to make reservations, you can contact Susumu and Rebecca Segerstrom-Sato at 518 734 4692 or visit their Web site at www.bedsonclouds.com.