The Lake House on Canandaigua | Ultimate Finger Lakes Escape
Is there any dreamier way to spend a hot summer day than by the lake? For an experience that embodies the best of nostalgic days by the water of summers past, the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York is arguably the best destination. The region and its eleven finger-like lakes are home not only to lakeside fun but to world-class wineries, rolling hillsides, and concerts and cultural events worth traveling for, but close to everything.
Nestled along the shores of gorgeous Canandaigua Lake, The Lake House on Canandaigua perfects the experience of the summertime lakeside getaway the Finger Lakes do so well. Whether you’re looking to get out on the water or simply enjoy long conversations with a water view, this incredible hotel in the Finger Lakes is the best place for it.
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The Lake House on Canandaigua
While The Lake House on Canandaigua has long been a fixture in the small lake town of the same name for decades, it looks and feels worlds away from the original destination that stood in its place. Locals will remember the destination first opened in the 1970s, long home to the storied Sand Bar, a favorite spot for grabbing a hot dog or hamburger after a day on the water.
After a complete tear-down and rebuild, The Lake House on Canandaigua reopened in 2020, retaining the best of the details of the original destination while elevating the guest experience tenfold. The new 124-room hotel now boasts a gorgeous, fresh design, an intimate spa and fitness center, space for events, delicious dining options, and more options for activities than you could enjoy in one stay.
The highlight of your stay will be the expansive lawn space with covered patio space and numerous fire pits across the hotel property, with what feels like unending options for taking in the view of the lake. It’s just the waterfront spot you’ve been dreaming of, a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
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The Lake House on Canandaigua: Rooms and Suites
The 124 rooms at The Lake House on Canandaigua, sixteen of which are extra-spacious suites, are spread across three stately buildings on the property. The clean, fresh decor feels natural and welcoming yet modern, maximizing the light that filters off the water. Spacious bathrooms complete the space, some even including grand soaking tubs.
Whether you’re staying in a standard room or upgrading to a suite, one of the highlights of the accommodations at The Lake House on Canandaigua is the private outdoor space in every room. First-room rooms open out onto large, covered patios, and upper-level rooms have expansive covered terrace space.
Complete with Adirondack chairs, these spaces will become favorite spots for fresh air and water views for morning coffee or evening drinks.
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Dining At The Lake House on Canandaigua
Dining options have long been a favorite local draw to The Lake House on Canandaigua, and with the reopening of the all-new hotel in 2020, now there are more options than ever. Now offering an array of delicious options with top-notch service, the two distinct eateries at the hotel are must-visits even for those staying elsewhere.
The Sand Bar
The most iconic favorite is The Sand Bar, a casual waterfront eatery that is the perfect spot to rest and recharge after a long day on the lake. With plenty of indoor and outdoor dining space as well as a well-stocked bar offering everything from beers to craft cocktails, it’s perfect for either lunch or dinner.
Waterfront views that accompany the delicious menu are a huge draw. The Sand Bar can get crowded, especially on sunny weekend afternoons when locals drop by in troves, so make a reservation if you can!
Rose Tavern
The Rose Tavern is the property’s more elevated dining space, an impressive New American-style restaurant with fresh, seasonal dishes that show off the bounty of the Finger Lakes. The hotel works extensively with local farmers to provide the freshest ingredients, though a new greenhouse and planted vegetable and herb gardens at The Lake House means an increasing amount is picked fresh by chefs before every meal.
Don’t let the fine dining-worthy menu at The Rose Tavern fool you into thinking this is a stuffy or formal dining space. Warm, welcoming decor and a well-stocked bar make it a fan favorite with locals and visitors alike. Make sure to save space for dessert; after sampling most of the dessert menu, we can say they’ll be a memorable highlight of your meal!
The Rose Tavern also has a dark, moody lounge, which is the perfect spot for drinks around the fireplace on a cool evening. An additional private dining room with space for 14 people makes it a favorite place for gatherings.
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Amenities At The Lake House on Canandaigua
Part of the appeal of a summer stay at The Lake House on Canandaigua is just how easy everything is. Use the free local shuttle provided by the hotel to explore the charming lake town, or plan for a tour of the area’s wineries. The shuttle is also available to bring guests to concerts at nearby CMAC in the summer or skiing at Bristol Mountain in the winter, all free of charge to guests.
The spacious pool area and hot tub are favorite spots on the lawn for summer travelers. Enjoy poolside eats and drinks under an umbrella or unwind on a sunbed. The plexiglass waterfront enclosure means there’s nothing to distract your views of Canandaigua Lake.
Willowbrook Spa
One of the most impressive installations at the hotel is the Willowbrook Spa. Though the intimate spa offers six treatment rooms you’ll find an impressive menu of services to choose from, including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and body treatments. The relaxation room at the back of the spa has beautiful views of the lush garden and waterfront, and is filled with light and warmth.
A highlight of visiting the spa is stepping inside one of the free-standing barrel saunas. Private or small-group sauna sessions are bookable with the spa, with waterfront views from the sauna’s domed window as just one of the highlights of a treatment.
Watersports and Activities
What is a summer getaway to the lake without getting out on the water? There are no hotels in the Finger Lakes that offer quite as impressive an array of watersports and activities as The Lake House on Canandaigua. The hotel has kayaks, paddleboards, and brand-new waterbikes on hand for guests, easily accessible from the dock.
Or, get out on the lake by taking out one of the hotel’s pontoon boats or speedboats. Guests can take them out on the water themselves or request a chartered cruise around the lake. Coffee cruises in the mornings are some of the most popular experiences, though guests can also choose from afternoon or evening cruises as well.
Read More: 10 Best Hotels in the Finger Lakes
Enjoy Canandaigua Lake
Among the Finger Lakes, the smaller Canandaigua Lake might not get as much love as its larger neighbors. The Lake House on Canandaigua is enough to change that. With everything travelers need for a dream summer getaway on the water, this new Upstate New York hotspot is worth moving to the top of your bucket list.
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.