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Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:07 pm
by Matt
Where do you go and stay and eat?
Let us in on your NY travel secrets.

Typically, I head down to Ithaca in the fall to get a weekend of pictures in. I stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is across from Ithaca Commons, which I enjoy visiting. As far as eating, I like the Asia Cuisine place on Aurora, which has Chinese, Japanese, & Korean. Small though.. gets busy quick. I also ate at a waffle place in the commons, and the food court there has a great Japanese counter with large delicious dumplings. Staying around the commons area is enough for me... days are spent out at parks. The hotel is ok. I'm becoming less fond of Hilton, especially these smaller ones. If there are any better places in that area, let me know.

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:14 pm
by cbobcat49
The best bed & breakfast in the Finger Lakes hands down is Bristol Views in Naples. We've been here 3 times already. The breakfast is delicious, the house is clean, the view over Canandaigua Lake is amazing, the hosts are friendly and its very affordable... for the Finger Lakes that is. http://www.bristolviews.com/

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:29 am
by Brenda
Hey Matt, there are a couple of new places that have opened in Ithaca. Both the Argos Inn and the Dewitt Park Inn are getting good buzz.

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:20 am
by Brenda
cbobcat49 wrote:The best bed & breakfast in the Finger Lakes hands down is Bristol Views in Naples.
Really? That's a pretty strong statement, unless you've stayed at all of the 323 Finger Lakes B&Bs that are currently listed on TripAdvisor (and there are likely more that just aren't on the radar). I'm sure the place is lovely, but the best?

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:29 pm
by cbobcat49
ok so the best of 7 or 8 or so that we've stayed at. ;)

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:59 pm
by Kelly
Yep! I do!

It's cool that you enjoy the B & B experience, Chris.

B & B's are not for everybody, though. They're not my cup of tea. While intimate and homey, the introvert in me prefers to be kinda anonymous and not have to make small talk with strangers staying in the same house. Or even with the innkeepers, for that matter. I love to find a great boutique hotel, as I think it offers a nice middle ground between anonymity/cookie cutter accommodations and the awkward close/touchy feely/ let's-all-be-friends-even-though-we've-just-met-over-poached-eggs-and-marmalade thing. I know it's a personality quirk, but B & B's are not for me.

My NY destination of choice is Saratoga Springs, NY. It has a rich history, a lovely walkable downtown area, Victorian era horse racing track (which, after 3 visits to the town - I have not yet gotten the chance to photograph. Next time!) , 2 wonderful farmers' markets, great dining, many nice places to stay, a state park, gorgeous scenery - and potato chips were invented there! It's very family friendly and an artsy college town as well. (Skidmore College)

It's become an annual fall tradition for me. Every October. Next year's plans have been made. I highly recommend the Saratoga Springs Hampton Inn. I've always had great Hampton Inn experiences, but this one is the absolute best I've been to. It was already booked when we made our reservations for our last visit, so we ended up at the Gideon Putnam. I cannot recommend it. I'm sure it was a gem in its day, but that day has passed. The only positives I can say about it are that the grounds and location are lovely, though not downtown, and the 2 "real" fireplaces in the lobby are very cozy and inviting. I don't have anything nice to say about the rest of it. We have already booked our stay for next October at the Hampton Inn. It's right downtown and across the street from one of the farmers' markets. It too has fireplaces (no, not in the rooms), very fresh and new and top notch service! This will be our 3rd stay.

Here's a link to many of the mineral springs, for which the town is so well known. http://www.saratoga.com/guide/health-mi ... prings.cfm

Bring a cup!

Re: Do you do in-state getaways. If so, where?

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:01 am
by Brenda
cbobcat49 wrote:ok so the best of 7 or 8 or so that we've stayed at. ;)
I got ya...just bustin' on you. :lol: I'm not a B&B person either. I much prefer small boutique hotels/inns.

I'm so sorry to hear that about the Gideon Putnam, Kelly. It makes me very sad. One of my nieces worked in their accounting dept. for years and she always hosted a big family holiday gathering in one of the ballrooms. The Sunday brunch there used to be fabulous. I haven't been there in a very long time (15? years). :(

I love staying in Skaneateles. I've stayed at both the Sherwood Inn and Mirbeau. Both places are lovely, though Mirbeau was in need of some updating when I was last there. I am also under the impression that they no longer have a bellhop, which is a shame. They had a lovely older gentleman named Jack who not only helped with luggage and showed you to your room, but he also gave you some great pointers about the inn/spa. He was a truly a gem (and a bit of a flirt), but he retired a few years ago and I don't think that they've replaced him.