Recently my wife and I spent an extended weekend in Canandaigua. We decided to stay at the…read moreSutherland House, a lovingly restored home from 1885. Unlike the cookie cutter rooms of the typical hotel, each guest room here is unique, decorated with different antiques and amenities. In contrast to the antique 4 poster bed and traditional decoration, our room had a modern bathroom with a small shower. We also had a large jacuzzi which we enjoyed and a fireplace that we didn't try out with temperatures in the 80's.
You can check out the decor and amenities of each room on their website to see which room you would like best. Note that the prices for some rooms do not include breakfast, for those who do not want to indulge, although their breakfast is something you do not want to miss.
Scattered throughout the B & B are small refrigerators stocked with complimentary soft drinks and ice. There are several coffee stations with assorted K-cups and a nice selection of teas. Each day freshly baked cookies are put out. Each room has a basket of complimentary bagged snacks.
Also scattered around and in the rooms are "emergency boxes" filled with things that you might need, but probably didn't bring, such as scissors, a flashlight, band-aids and batteries.
As you wander the halls you will find bookcases with books to read and games to play and displays of tourist information.
The grounds of the house are beautifully landscaped and you can sit in a rocking chair on the veranda, or have a picnic at the tables and chairs in the garden. For the more actively inclined, there is a woods behind the house with several walking trails.
Each morning the guests would gather in the antique filled living room awaiting the start of breakfast. Breakfast was a communal affair, with all guests seated around the dining room table. Each morning Chef Nate would prepare a five star, three course breakfast. The first course would be a fruit dish such as a fruit parfait or fresh local fruit, the second, a savory dish such as Eggs Florentine or Baked Eggs (like a quiche without a crust) and the meal would conclude with a sweet dish such as crepes, a cinnamon scone, or a waffle with fresh maple syrup. Also available to nibble on were local grapes and freshly baked coffee cake,
After breakfast Nate would discuss with the guests what their interests were and would provide us with recommendations on where to go, brochures and maps. While most of the wineries in the Finger Lakes are on the other lakes, there are a few in the area and Nate had passes for a discounted tasting. Lake Canandaigua is a short drive away as is Main Street in Canandaigua. Main Street is filled with interesting little shops, bakeries and cafes and you can spend the day walking from place to place.
There are a few minor things about the Sutherland House that some people might find negative.
The building is not handicap accessible. There are several steps going up to the main floor, and most of the rooms require a trek up a long, narrow, winding stairway.
There is not daily housekeeping service. If you need somebody to pick up after you, this is probably not the place for you.
There is no Innkeeper on the premises in the afternoon or evening. In the morning Nate takes care of things, but after that if you need something you have to make a call.
The A/C in our room didn't work very well. Fortunately there was a ceiling fan that cooled the room off pretty well, and the floor to ceiling windows could be opened to let in the cool night air. Hopefully, they have repaired or replaced the a/c by now.
All in all, if you're looking for a relaxing stay in the Finger Lakes, in a beautiful old building with a gourmet breakfast, I highly recommend the Sutherland House.