Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa (Milton-on-Hudson; tel. 877/746-6772): Secluded among 70 acres along the Hudson River, this soothing boutique hotel is an excellent choice to get away from it all or to use as a base for exploring the Hudson Valley or the eastern edges of the Catskills. Part historic inn (the main house is a 1764 Colonial), part posh day spa, and part rustic retreat -- with wooded trails, waterfalls and ponds, gardens, and separate cottage houses -- there's something for almost everyone. Rooms are elegant without being fussy.
The Inn at Lake Joseph (Forestburgh; tel. 845/791-9506): A first-class country estate in the southeastern quadrant of the Catskill region, this secluded Victorian inn is elegant and peaceful. It has manor house rooms in a 19th-century summer getaway, as well as splurge-friendly carriage and cottage houses that are more like princely private apartments.
Hillcrest Manor (Corning; tel. 607/936-4548): A refined B&B in a gateway town to the Finger Lakes, this gorgeous 1890 Greek Revival mansion is just minutes from the world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass in a peaceful residential neighborhood. The opulent inn, owned by two art collectors, has tasteful parlors and very spacious bedrooms. Few inns can match this level of sophistication and luxury, and fewer still match the relatively affordable prices you'll find here.
Hobbit Hollow Farm B&B (Skaneateles; tel. 315/685-2791): Overlooking graceful Skaneateles Lake, this sumptuous and intimate small inn gives you a chance to pretend you're a privileged country gentleman or -woman relaxing on your horse farm. The century-old Colonial Revival, ensconced on 400 acres with panoramic lake views, is as luxurious and attentive to detail as they come. Rooms are charmingly elegant; for those on a budget, the smaller rooms are a decent value and you can still imagine yourself the prince of Skaneateles.
Seatuck Cove House (Eastport; tel. 631/325-3300): On the edge of the Hamptons, this enormous, beautiful home sits right out on the water with gorgeous views. Because the inn has only five rooms, you'll feel like you own the place. The rooms are painted white and decorated with an appropriately beachy aesthetic. Four of the five are also large enough to comfortably accommodate a separate sitting area. Take a walk along the waterfront or a dip in the pool, then grab one of the best B&B breakfasts on Long Island.
The Mansion Inn of Saratoga (Rock City Falls/Saratoga Springs; tel. 888/996-9977): This sophisticated 1866 Victorian inn sits on 4 acres just outside Saratoga Springs and is replete with luxurious details, both in common rooms and in the spacious accommodations. The owners are serious about high-end pampering, making it an ideal weekend getaway.
Black Sheep Inn (Hammondsport; (tel. 607/569-3767): A new arrival to the Finger Lakes is this inn occupying a rare 1859 octagon house, immaculately restored and converted by the young owners, one of whom is a chef devoted to organic cooking and the other an interior designer. The house is lavishly outfitted, but not at all fussy. The location -- in a pretty, small town near beautiful Keuka Lake -- is a bonus.
The Chalet of Canandaigua (Canandaigua; tel. 585/394-9080): This tiny luxury inn has enormous rooms of immense style, a surprise within the walls of a log cabin. Equipped to the nines, it's a perfect blend of rusticity and stylish warmth, with no detail overlooked. Whatever the season, this chalet makes a dignified retreat.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
