Upstate escape: the Lake House on Canandaigua is a hidden gem

With airplane-free escapes in higher demand than ever before, the quest to find an out-of-town retreat that isn’t overrun with city weekenders has now become a perennial one. Located in upstate New York and nestled in the Finger Lakes region, the idyllic Lake House at Canandaigua is just the right amount removed from the major urban hubs. Spread across three newly built structures, designed by the New York-based Studio Tack and the Brooklyn Home Company, the hotel sits on a breathtaking piece of land facing Canandaigua Lake that has been in the owners’ family for generations.

Previously a beloved motor lodge, the hotel owes its most recent reincarnation to Brooklyn Home Company's co-founders, Bill Caleo and Lyndsay Caleo Karol, a brother and sister duo who have been coming to the area since their childhood. Now boasting 123 rooms, a heated swimming pool, a library bar, stylish meeting facilities, a new restaurant, Rose Tavern and a revamped lakefront eatery, the Sand Bar, the expansive property is a perfect place to recharge the spirits and is notably suitable for visiting throughout the seasons.

Upon entering the hotel’s airy, double-height lobby, guests are greeted by lawn and lakefront views, just visible beyond the building’s façade of paned glass doors. A moody library bar, installed with leather banquettes and upholstered armchairs, conjures up an air of clandestine, well-heeled rendezvous while still remaining an inviting place to find some quiet time in the day.

Upstairs, each of the rooms are elegantly appointed with custom-designed white oak furniture, and often accompanied by private terraces adorned with Adirondack chairs. To facilitate health and safety, guests are provided with an added amenity; masks and bottles of hand sanitizer made in-house, to set their minds at ease. Vacant rooms are also sealed from entry until guests arrive and housekeeping services are available on request in a bid to reduce contact with others. This element of thoughtfulness continues throughout the rest of the property with social distancing and other procedures discreetly implemented throughout.