Historic lakeside inns with spa, dining, and lake views



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391 Main St, Aurora, NY 13026 Get directions

"A five‑inn lakeside collection of meticulously restored 19th‑ and early‑20th‑century buildings, this retreat blends history and personal touches—guest rooms are outfitted with furniture and art from founder Pleasant Rowland’s collection, and each inn has its own personality. The story stretches from The Aurora (1833), once home to Edwin Barber Morgan, to the 1909 residence of his grandson Robert Zabriskie, with renovations completed in 2019; in autumn, I lean into seasonal wellness packages and spa treatments that use apple cider and pumpkin for a restorative, regionally rooted reset." - Jessica Chapel
"A lakeside, luxurious home-away-from-home property on Cayuga Lake where visitors can stay in lavishly decorated rooms, take cooking demonstrations nearby, and enjoy cocktails at the hotel's bar—ideal for a refined, activity-filled retreat." - Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine is the digital senior editor at Travel + Leisure. She covers hotels, destinations (focusing on Europe, Asia, California, and Mexico), food and drink, cruises, and luxury aviation. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A Travel + Leisure readers' favorite in 2024, this Finger Lakes collection comprises five boutique properties (with a sixth opening in late 2025) that create a village-style feel. The world-class spa sits on a hill with views of Cayuga Lake and offers Ayurvedic- and holistic-inspired services—Reiki, dry brushing, and hammam rituals—alongside signature massages and body treatments, hydrotherapy circuits, a sauna, and a steam room. The nearby town was named America's Best Small Spa and Wellness Town by Travel + Leisure in 2023." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"About 45 minutes north of Ithaca and an hour southwest of Syracuse, The Aurora Inn is a five-inn lakeside property of meticulously restored buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s. Guest rooms are decorated with furniture and art from founder Pleasant Rowland’s personal collection, and each inn has a distinct feel. Initially constructed in 1833, The Aurora was the first of the inns to be restored in 2003, and was the property of Edwin Barber Morgan, co-founder of the New York Times and American Express. Four more properties were restored to their former glory over the years, the last of which was the 1909 home of Morgan’s grandson Robert Zabriskie, the work of which was finished in 2019."

"Historic lakeside inns that serve as a scenic, cozy place to stay while exploring nearby fall foliage, wineries, and waterfalls, offering period charm and easy access to Cayuga Lake country." - Travel + Leisure Editors