Are you ones that like to spend an occasional weekend outing in celebration of special events? Like a birthday, anniversary, or the like? Have you visited the Finger Lakes region in New York lately? There are some amazing Finger Lakes Resorts to choose from for the special getaways. And some great things to do in this region also. (See our article on things to do in the Finger Lakes and our article on the best wineries in the region to visit).
If you are planning a getaway in the Finger Lakes, you may want to purchase:
Finger Lakes Getaway Guide
You can purchase it on Amazon here for $4.99
It has all the planning information you need.
Here are the best resorts we’ve found for your consideration … the ones that get talked about (the closest towns shown in parenthesis):
TAUGHANNOCK FARMS INN (Ithaca)
Are you Taughannock Farms Inn (www.t-farms.com) is located on a hill, overlooking Cayuga Lake, in Trumansburg, New York, just outside of Ithaca. You may choose a room with Victorian antiques and no TVs in the original structure; take one of the modern-built but Victorian-style units in the Edgewood house; or opt to stay in a room or suite in one of the guesthouses with country-cottage decor. Taughannock Falls State Park surrounds the 12-acre property and the state park lakeshore is across the street.
The main building is a Victorian mansion with a lovely 150-seat restaurant featuring a glassed in porch, American cuisine, and the price of an entree includes an appetizer, salad or sorbet, entree, and dessert.
Why we would stay here
Classy rooms in a beautiful country setting. A very nice restaurant.
Why we might go elsewhere
If you were looking for city activities, you must drive 7 miles into Ithaca. Ithaca College and Cornell are in nearby Ithaca, which creates scheduling issues and crowds during select college weekends.
Finger Lakes Resorts … AURORA INN (Aurora)
The Inns of Aurora offer three distinctive properties, each with its own character. The Federal-style Aurora Inn is a refined country inn, featuring graceful white-columned balconies and lakeside dining.
The Italianate stone E.B. Morgan House is a smaller property with stunning common spaces, broad lakeside porches and rolling lawns, and an innkeeper who’ll see to your every need.
The Rowland House offers vibrantly-decorated rooms, pristine lake views, and whimsical touches of MacKenzie-Childs. Each property is sumptuously appointed with handsome antiques, complemented by an exceptional collection of art. They boast Frette linens, high-speed Internet access, luxurious baths, and are just steps from the fine dining at the Aurora Inn.
The restaurant serves elegant American fare by a great chef.
Why we would stay here
Classy rooms in a beautiful Cayuga Lake setting. A very nice restaurant with great chef.
Why we might go elsewhere
If you were looking for city activities, you must drive 30 miles for the closest towns. Wells College is in Aurora, which creates scheduling issues and crowds during select college weekends.
BELHURST CASTLE (Geneva)
The 1889 castle (www.belhurst.com), complete with tower, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can stay in the original stone structure, but better rooms are found in the charming Georgian Revival mansion or in the modern Vinifera Inn, which has less personality but king-size beds, gas fireplaces, and two-person showers. The formal restaurant and lounge have lake views. Belhurst has its own winery, and a wine-tasting room and gift shop are on-site.
Surrounded by period antiques and reproductions, you can lose yourself in the romance and charm of an era almost forgotten.
Why we would stay here
Classy rooms in a beautiful Seneca Lake setting and located in close proximity to many Seneca Lake wineries. A very nice restaurant with great chef.
Why we might go elsewhere
If you were looking for city activities, you must drive several miles into Geneva. If you want the lake setting, don’t stay at the White Springs facility located 2 miles west of the Belhurst Castle and lake.
Finger Lakes Resorts … Geneva on the Lake (Geneva)
Geneva on the Lake (www.genevaonthelake.com) is a slice of Europe at the edge of Seneca Lake. Formally manicured grounds and Italian Renaissance architecture call to mind Tuscany. The stunning white manor house, built in 1914, has fireplaces of imported marble and rich upholstery and tapestries. Rooms are furnished with different styles of Stickley furniture. Ten suites have two bedrooms. Studios have living rooms and Murphy beds.
Why we would stay here
Beautiful lake setting with gorgeous formal gardens and pool overlooking the lake.
Why we might go elsewhere
If historical and aged are not your fancy, then this resort is not for you. If you were looking for city activities, you must drive several miles into Geneva.
BRISTOL HARBOUR RESORT (Canandaigua)
This resort (www.bristolharbour.com ) is nestled on top of a small mountain, 6 or 7 miles south of Canandaigua, and just 30 miles southeast of Rochester, NY. All the rooms at this Adirondack lodge–style hotel have gas fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, rustic decor with wood on the walls and wool blankets on the beds, and balconies with spectacular lake views. Guests share an outdoor hot tub.
You may cross-country ski or snowshoe on the grounds in winter (rentals available) or play the 18-hole Robert Trent Jones championship golf course in spring and summer. Ski packages with Bristol Mountain are available as is a relaxing Spa on the grounds.
Why we would stay here
Beautiful views of distant lake and away from hustle and bustle. If a golf weekend is what you are looking for, this is your place.
Why we might go elsewhere
If you don’t play golf, this place is not for you. It is pretty far from any other activities.
LA TOURELLE RESORT & SPA (Ithaca)
This three-story inn sits on 70 acres on a hill 3 mi from downtown Ithaca. You can hike into Buttermilk Falls State Park or fish in one of the two on-site ponds. Rooms vary in configuration and style.
The John Thomas Steakhouse occupies a farmhouse on the grounds; the inn building also has a bistro. Both are great places for a meal.
Why we would stay here
Very nice accommodations, restaurant and chef, and Spa on grounds. Ithaca is a very neat college town with lots of cool activities.
Why we might go elsewhere
No lake view and no activities without a 3-4 mile drive into Ithaca. Ithaca College and Cornell are in nearby Ithaca, which creates scheduling issues and crowds during select college weekends.
STATLER HOTEL AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY (Ithaca)
Nestled amidst the picturesque gorges and eclectic architecture of Cornell University, The Statler Hotel (www.statlerhotel.cornell.edu) blends dignified Ivy League ambiance with the bustling energy of campus life. Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration operates this nine-story hotel, as well as an Italian restaurant and two cafeterias. Guests have access to university recreational facilities, including the pool, golf course, basketball court, and ice-skating rink. Rooms, with contemporary furnishings, have beautiful campus views.
Why we would stay here
Very nice accommodations, with nice restaurant and service. If you like college campuses, few can top Cornell and its beauty and interesting sites to explore. Ithaca is a very neat college town with lots of activities.
Why we might go elsewhere
A ways from Cayuga Lake. If the hustle and bustle of college students, then this resort is not for you unless it is when most students are gone in the summer. Ithaca College and Cornell are in Ithaca, which creates scheduling issues and crowds during select college weekends.
ESPERANZA MANSION (Penn Yan)
This stately 1838 Greek Revival mansion (www.esperanzamansion.com) sits on a hill overlooking Keuka Lake, 16 mi north of Hammondsport. Some guest rooms are in the mansion, but most are in the separate two-story inn building. Rooms may have four-poster and sleigh beds, armoires, and decorative fireplaces. Whitewashed furniture and quilted bedspreads give the inn a more casual cottage feel.
Located in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country, the Esperanza Mansion is surrounded by lake views, wineries and rolling hills of vineyards.
Why we would stay here
Nice accommodations, with adequate restaurant. If you like being out in the country, this is a great place for you.
Why we might go elsewhere
A ways from Keuka Lake and the closest town or village is 16 miles. If quiet is not what you are looking for, you should look elsewhere.
INN AT GLENORA WINE CELLARS
Every room has a view of Seneca Lake at this inn 10 mi north of Watkins Glen. The inn was built in 1999 to complement the on-site Glenora winery (Seneca Lake’s oldest winery, opened in 1977). All rooms are furnished with Mission-style pieces and have either a balcony or patio; Vintners Select rooms have fireplaces. The restaurant, Veraisons, serves three upscale-American meals a day in a cathedral-ceiling dining room with a stone fireplace, a patio, and excellent lake views.
Every room overlooks spectacular vineyards and Seneca Lake.
Why we would stay here
Very nice and new accommodations, with good restaurant. Only a short drive into Watkins Glen, one of the best towns on the Finger Lakes. If you like auto racing, the Glen racetrack is a must see. Some of the best hiking trails in the Finger Lakes are in the close proximity.
Why we might go elsewhere
Big racing weekends can create scheduling issues and crowds in Watkins Glen.
WATKINS GLEN HARBOUR HOTEL
This upscale hotel (www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com) opened in 2008 in an enviable location at the south end of Seneca Lake adjacent to a marina and waterfront boardwalk.
The Blue Pointe Grille serves American and Continental fare; in summer you can have drinks on the harborside patio. Captain Bill’s boat tours and the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant are next door.
Why we would stay here
Very nice and new accommodations, with adequate restaurant. Only a short walk into Watkins Glen, one of the best towns on the Finger Lakes. If you like auto racing, the Glen racetrack is a must see. Some of the best hiking trails in the Finger Lakes are in the close proximity. Great place to stay if you want to do boating.
Why we might go elsewhere
Big racing weekends can create scheduling issues and crowds in Watkins Glen.
MIRBEAU INN & SPA (Skaneateles)
Located a short walk from the village of Skaneateles, understated elegance is the rule at the Mirbeau Inn and Spa (www.mirbeau.com) château like property. Mirbeau is French for “reflected beauty” and appropriately, the complex wraps around a water garden with lovely lilies and an arched wooden walkway.
The 10,000-square-foot Roman-style spa has one of the region’s most extensive treatment menus. Rooms have fireplaces, French-country furnishings, down comforters, and soaking tubs. On Saturday night the elegant Giverny restaurant, which serves contemporary, takes on seafood and game, hosts live jazz. Four- and five-course tasting menus are available.
Why we would stay here
Very nice accommodations, with very good (but expensive) restaurant and Spa. Only a short walk into Skaneateles, our favorite town in the Finger Lakes. Right next door to the Rosalie’s upscale Italian restaurant. It is the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy, no kidding. Great place to stay if you want to do boating, as Skaneateles Lake is the cleanest and most beautiful of the Finger Lakes.
Why we might go elsewhere
Can be a tad expensive.
SHERWOOD INN REVIEW
This blue-shingle inn (www.thesherwoodinn.com) is across the street from Clift Park and Skaneateles Lake. You may book a boat ride, complete with captain, on the inn’s 1946 wooden Chris-Craft. Guest rooms in the traditional, tasteful main building are individually decorated with antiques, many carved-wood four-poster beds, and crisp white moldings. Suites have fireplaces and either steam showers or Jacuzzi baths.
Drinks are served from the original 1807 tavern, with good menu, and which connects to a refined dining room.
Why we would stay here
Very nice accommodations, with very good restaurant. Part of the village of Skaneateles, our favorite town in the Finger Lakes and right on the lake. Great place to stay if you want to do boating, as Skaneateles Lake is the cleanest and most beautiful of the Finger Lakes.
Why we might go elsewhere
If you are looking for wine touring, Skaneateles is the furthest town from all the trails, though it is not more than 30-40 miles to the two best trails. A nice resort but not as plush as the best.
So what’s the conclusion? The conclusion is there is no conclusion. There is only the next step. And that next step is completely up to you. But believe in the effectiveness of tourism and travel ideas. And put them to good use.
It’s up to you to keep improving your creative travel planning. Lessons are all around you. In this case, your competitor may be providing the ideas and or inspiration. But the key is in knowing that it is within you already.
All you get is what you bring to the fight. And that fight gets better every day you learn and apply new lessons.
When things go wrong, what’s most important is your next step.
Test. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
Are you devoting enough energy improving your travel planning?
Do you have a lesson about making your marketing strategy better you can share with this community? Have any questions or comments to add in the section below?
Digital Spark Marketing will stretch your thinking and your ability to adapt to change. We also provide some fun and inspiration along the way. Call us for a free quote today. You will be amazed how reasonable we will be.
More reading on travel recommendations from Digital Sparks Marketing’s Library:
4 Extraordinary Vacation Ideas and Recommendations
4 Awesome Activities Touring the Thousand Islands
8 Awesome Things to Do in the Finger Lakes Region
12 Amazing Finger Lakes Resorts for Getaway Celebrations
Mike Schoultz is a digital marketing and customer service expert. With 48 years of business experience, he consults on and writes about topics to help improve the performance of small business. Find him on G+, Facebook, Twitter, Digital Spark Marketing, and LinkedIn.