After multiple nights here (long enough to really get a feel of all the Inns has to offer) you will be sad to leave. The possibilities for deep decompression here are so great, & it starts with simply looking around you. Lake Cayuga is a 5 minute walk across the street. Huge, healthy, old trees - including some decades old Ginkgo trees w/history attached to them - are all over the grounds. Birds, butterflies & squirrels are everywhere.
Each of the residence areas of the Inns have front porches w/big rocking chairs & a fire pit. We were lucky to get some time with Brittany, who filled us in on Walcourt's history. Pleasant Rowland, founder of the Inns of Aurora, restored this once dilapidated former Wells College dorm into the beauty that it is today. From the handpainted Kusama-esque dots in every bathroom, to the comfy & modern furniture, to the gorgeous art (all from her personal collection) throughout, you get a deep sense of her artistic eye.
The common area feels like the most hospitable living room, with binoculars, charming books, board games, a basket of yoga mats, & throws near the beautiful fireplace. A small kitchen area hides glasses, mugs, dishes, microwave, ice maker, & is the place to come for breakfast. Local Simple Roast coffee, yummy house-baked granola bars w/choc chips & raisins, & natural Ithaca label cream-topped yogurts greet you from 7-10am every morning. A bowl of fruit is constant thru the day, & very good local wines are poured from 5-6pm. French press coffee can be requested at any time.
Rooms are very comfortable, beds have fluffy feather pillows & are artfully decorated. The most thoughtful touch is a leather-wrapped multi USB/multi outlet box that sits on each side of the bed. ALL hotels/Airbnbs need to immediately get these!
The complimentary amenities for the property further support decompression: morning yoga classes in a beautiful room upstairs in the schoolhouse building, SUPs/canoes/kayaks/bikes/Bocce ball, walking historical tours (guided or self guided), hiking trail nearby. Additionally priced activities like private yoga, painting, and tea & essential oil blending are available too.
And then there's the brand spanking newly opened (July 2021) SPA. A sprawling-looking estate in itself, it's less than a mile away from Walcourt. They were booked to the gills when we visited, unfortunately. This is the only building that was built new in all of the Inns of Aurora.
Foodwise, 1833 is in the Aurora Inn across the street, & Fargo is the bar/restaurant just down the street. The Aurora Market is a MUST for VERY good ready to eat salads, sammiches, fresh pastries, coffee, & an impressive selection of locally made adult beverages. We heard about a Saturday 10a-2pm farmers market & walked by Aurora Cooks - a very limited seating for dinner & brunch a few days/week in an open demo kitchen setting.
Shopping wise, the MacKenzie-Childs store/studio is a 10min drive away. Lovely wineries & the Aurora Brewing Co are very close (we saw wine buses w/multiple bridal celebrations going on). The delLago Casino is also in the area.
The Inns are open year round, w/winter rates being lower, so make sure you put this on your list of decompression destinations. It is well worth every penny!