Just under a three-hour drive from Oakville, Ontario, you’ll find the most charming hotel, surrounded by picturesque views and a jaw-dropping aesthetic: The Lake House on Canandaigua.
Nestled at the base of Canandaigua Lake in New York, the Lake House offers 125 rooms beautifully designed with sustainability and a connection to nature in mind.
As we pulled up from our quick drive (and a smooth crossing over the border), we were in awe of how well-manicured the grounds were (yes, even in the middle of winter) and if the hotel wasn’t beautiful enough to just stare at, we were greeted with complimentary valet and luggage service from the friendly staff at the front entrance.
As we walked in, the fresh aroma from the gorgeous flower arrangements was a beautiful segway into our effortless check-in. Afterwards, we were handed a chilled glass of a local sparkling rosé which was the sweetest touch. We gazed around the front lobby and were incredibly impressed with the decor and attention to detail.
As we entered our room, we walked into a bright and spacious space with two queen beds, beautiful built-in cabinets for storage and a large balcony overlooking the most scenic views of the lake. We also enjoyed the nice touch of a ‘warm welcome’ charcuterie board with local cheeses and meats. We immediately got settled and knew we had to discover more of this incredible property.
We wandered back down to the front lobby and noticed the library, complete with shelves of interesting books, cozy leather couches and seating, a bar area for cocktails and a beautiful fireplace that drew you right in. Everywhere you turned, the attention to detail was impeccable and well thought out. From the artwork to the light fixtures, we were constantly impressed with the details in every corner.
Soon after, it was time for our dinner reservations at one of their popular restaurants, the Rose Tavern. From a carefully-curated cocktail list to menu items we couldn’t decide on – we knew we were in for a real treat. After scanning the menu, we decided on the St. Tropez cocktail and started with a few appetizers. We relied on our waitress for her menu recommendations and she did not disappoint. We started off with warm rolls fresh out of the oven with whipped butter, fried oysters on toast, and a butter lettuce salad that had us craving for more. For our mains, we opted for the Ox Tail Rigatoni and Brisket Burger. We were so stuffed, we skipped out on dessert (which I’m still regretting).
After dinner, we wandered around the hotel, relaxed in the lobby, and then went upstairs to bed.
The next morning, we were greeted by sunshine and peaceful sounds of geese flying in on the lake. It was incredible to wake up to and we still couldn’t get over the views from our private balcony. As we got ready for the day, we both stood in awe of the Pinterest-worthy all-marble-bathroom complete with antique gold hardware.
We wandered down to the main lobby to grab a latte at the Library Bar. As we took photos and documented our day, we found ourselves hungry for another meal at the Rose Tavern.
For brunch, we of course had to start with cocktails. For our mains, a fresh omelet with potatoes and avocado toast with arugula and strawberries on top of a thick slice of toast complete with an over-easy egg.
As we finished up, we braved the cold to wander around and get a feel of the hotel’s grounds. It was a windy day so we didn’t last long but we noticed the skating rink set up for guests to enjoy, the pool (which was open still for guests) and the Willow Brook Spa. We then realized it was time for our Sauna treatment and popped in to decompress and warm up from the cold.
First, I can’t even begin to explain how beautiful the spa was, natural light from all of the windows casting in while you wait for your appointment was one of the highlights of our experience. We also loved the complimentary hot tea and snacks.
Then, we were led outside to our private barrel sauna. I’ve never experienced anything quite like this before, as we entered the barrel we had a variety of tonics to heighten our experience. We sat and gazed out onto the lake and took in the breathtaking views while decompressing and warming our bones from the cold, chilly temperatures outside. This 60-minute session was exactly what we needed and headed back in to relax a bit longer in the waiting area.
We did have a chance to briefly explore the charming town the hotel is located in and loved the local shops, restaurants and beautiful colonial homes that lined the main street. We also loved our welcome sparkling rosé so much we had to stop at a local wine shop to pick a few bottles before our return home.
Our entire experience at the Lake House was unforgettable, from the friendly staff to the delicious meals, the gorgeous decor and the breathtaking views. We barely scratched the surface of what the Lake House offers to its guests and we both made a promise that we would return to experience it again.
Trust me when I say, the Lake House on Canandaigua should be on the top of your travel list.
