Planning a trip to the Finger Lakes region soon? You don’t want to miss my Lake House on Canandaigua review. You’ll quickly see why this is hands down one resort you absolutely need to plan a getaway to!
Located on the northern end of Canandaigua Lake, one of eleven Finger Lakes in the state of New York, Canandaigua offers the perfect escape for those looking for a quiet lakeside getaway surrounded by stunning wineries.
I recently had the opportunity to spend 3 lovely days at The Lake House on Canandaigua, and it was really the perfect place for an ultra relaxing getaway.
Picture quiet lakeside views, an upscale cottage aesthetic, incredible culinary offerings, and a spa that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated too.
If you’re looking for a getaway that ticks all of those boxes, this review of the Lake House on Canandaigua is for you.
You’ll quickly see why the Lake House on Canandaigua is hands down the place to stay at in Canandaigua, New York.
And why you need to plan a visit to the Finger Lakes region soon!
About Finger Lakes, New York
The Finger Lakes region is considered New York’s best kept secret, and it took only a day of me being there to realize why!
Rich in history and surrounded by beautiful, pristine nature, the Finger Lakes region truly offers a serene escape from every day life.
Here you’ll find tons of wineries producing excellent wine, particularly world-renowned Rieslings.
You’ll also find mountain resorts with skiing and snowboarding, incredible parks and nature, plus all sorts of water activities to enjoy on the lakes.
Although there are lots of options for places to stay in the Finger Lakes, you’ll quickly see why I recommend Canandaigua and particularly, The Lake House on Canandaigua.
Located just 3 hours from Toronto and 5.5 hours from Montreal, the The Lake House on Canandaigua is not only the perfect resort getaway for those living in the state of New York, but also makes a great escape for those living in Southern Ontario and Quebec.
Fun fact: The Finger Lakes are called just that because of their long, narrow, north-south shape that make them resemble a group of fingers!
About the Lake House on Canandaigua
Located on the banks of Canandaigua Lake, The Lake House on Canandaigua is the first hotel of its kind in the area.
Featuring 124 beautifully designed guest rooms, a timber frame event barn, outdoor pool, and incredible spa, The Lake House on Canandaigua makes for a destination, not simply just a hotel to stay at.
In fact, we loved the Lake House on Canandaigua so much, we barely even left the property when we were there!
But don’t just take my word for it.
In fact, The Lake House on Canandaigua has earned its title as a hotel to remember.
They were recently named #1 Resort Hotel in New York State, #2 Resort Hotel in the Continental US, and #30 of the Top 100 Hotels in the World!
If that doesn’t give you an idea of what a hotel it is, I don’t know what will!
Location
Nestled on the edge of Canandaigua Lake, the Lake House on Canandaigua is just 5 minutes from downtown Canandaigua.
It’s in the perfect location for those wanting to explore the area, but not wanting to venture too far from the hotel.
Surrounded by wineries and nature, there’s plenty to see nearby.
You’ll find a handful of great restaurants in the area, plus an amazing antique mall (the Ontario Antique Mall) just a 15 minute drive away.
Trust me, if you’re into antiques you won’t want to miss it – we spent a whole afternoon there and both brought home a box full of antique goodies.
The Lake House on Canandaigua also offers free shuttle services to all nearby attractions making your stay virtually stress free.
Whether you want to head out and explore nearby attractions, or go out for dinner and drinks, you won’t have to worry about driving yourself there!
Here’s a quick list of just some of the many attractions you’ll find in the area:
Nearby Attractions
- Numerous wineries
- The Apple Farm
- Sugar Shack Blueberry Farm
- Roseland Waterpark
- The Ontario Antique Mall
- Hungry Bear Farms
- Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
- Lazy Acre Alpacas
- Kershaw Beach & Park
- Canandaigua Yacht Club
The Rooms
Imagine your own personal upscale lakeside cottage retreat.
That’s exactly the vibe that you’ll get at The Lake House on Canandaigua.
Each of the 124 guest rooms and suites embodies the timeless charm of upscale lake living.
The rooms feature hand carved furniture, beautiful modern amenities, wood detailing, and the comfiest beds.
The guest rooms and suites at The Lake House on Canandaigua provide you with a tranquil space where you can truly feel relaxed, comfortable, and feel a true sense of peace take over.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that will leave you feeling rested and stress-free, this is the perfect place for you.
Bedroom
During our stay at the Lake House on Canandaigua we stayed in one of their beautiful Lake Queen Queen rooms.
Our gorgeous room featured two queen beds that were extremely comfortable, each with 350 count linen sheets.
Trust me, these beds were very hard to get out of in the morning!
We also had a beautiful large balcony overlooking the lake and outdoor pool.
Each room is equipped with a 55 4k HDTV which has the ability to stream both Netflix and HBO Max.
There’s also a desk in case you want to get some work done.
One of my favourite features of the rooms were the reusable water bottles.
The Lake House on Canandaigua uses a filtered water system where they have still and sparkling water available on each floor and you can refill the bottles as you please.
It’s the little things like this that make such a difference!
Of course they also had Nespresso machines which meant each morning started off with a great cup of coffee.
In-Room Amenities
- 55 4K HDTV with Sonifi and wireless streaming to your device
- High-speed internet
- In-room Nespresso machine for coffee and tea with an exclusive blend for The Lake House from Joe Bean and hand-crafted teas
- Mini-bar stocked with local purveyors
- Tokyo Bikes
- Filtered water throughout the property and water bottle to use during your stay
- A tote bag to use on the property and take home
- Plush luxurious robes and cozy slippers
Bathroom
I absolutely loved our bathroom at the Lake House on Canandaigua.
Although we didn’t have a tub (those are reserved for the suites) it was such a stunning bathroom.
The showers are spacious and have great water pressure.
The Lake House on Canandaigua also has their own signature scented shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotions that all smelled unbelievable.
I loved the scent of the body wash so much I actually bought a bottle at the spa to take home with me.
Beyond luxury bath products the bathrooms also feature a blow dryer and comfy bathrobes that will make you feel right at home.
Dining at the Lake House on Canandaigua
The Lake House on Canandaigua offers a signature restaurant, Rose Tavern, which features the best of the best in locally-sourced ingredients and an impeccable wine list.
They also have the locally loved Sand Bar, a more casual dining restaurant and bar, as well as The Library Bar which acts as a cafe during the day and cocktail bar at night.
Rose Tavern
Rose Tavern is the signature restaurant at the Lake House on Canandaigua.
They serve a seasonal, rustic menu that’s inspired by fresh, local ingredients as well as classic cooking techniques.
They are also focused on sustainability, and work closely with local growers to source the best ingredients for their menu that celebrate the Finger Lakes.
Dinner
We had dinner at Rose Tavern our second night in Canandaigua, and we loved the food so much we actually went back for lunch the very next day.
The food and cocktails there do not disappoint!
For our dinner starters we shared the Kale salad with crispy halloumi, blood orange, toasted almond, and creamy yuzu dressing.
We also had the Beef Tartare, Burrata, and the JB’s Parker House Rolls with whipped honey butter and Maldon Sea Salt.
I kid you not, these rolls were heavenly.
We went back one evening just for the rolls!
For mains we had the Beef Tenderloin and the Rhode Island Fluke with sherry, lobster cream, shellfish ragout and celery root.
Both our mains were delicious but it was really the side of sticky brussel sprouts we ordered that stole the show.
We loved them so much we got them again at lunch the next day!
Lunch
The lunch offerings at Rose Tavern are (of course) a little more casual than the dinner menu, however no less flavorful.
Rose Tavern offers a selection of salads, appetizers, sandwiches, soups and entrees for lunch.
We split the Butter Lettuce salad with chicken, radish, pickled pepper, bread crumbs, Bayley Hazen Blue, and buttermilk dressing.
We also had the sticky brussel sprouts, and the Roasted Chicken Salad Sandwhich which had apple, red grape, walnut and butter lettuce on JB’s brioche bun.
Breakfast/Brunch
Rose Tavern serves breakfast daily (I think till about 10:30am) as well as they have a Sunday brunch on the weekend.
Although we didn’t make it to the restaurant to enjoy breakfast, we did enjoy breakfast from Rose Tavern in our room.
More on that below!
Room Service
Room service at the Lake House on Canandaigua is offered from their signature restaurant, Rose Tavern.
The food is incredible and I definitely recommend taking advantage of room service once during your stay and enjoying breakfast in bed!
There’s nothing quite like having a gourmet breakfast served in a comfy hotel bed.
To me that just screams vacation!
For breakfast I ordered the Avocado Toast (not pictured) on multigrain bread, topped with strawberries, arugula and pomegrante.
It was absolutely delicious!
My friend ordered the Steel Cut Oats with Chia and Flax Seed which I have to admit wasn’t the best (and probably the only disappointing thing we ordered from Rose Tavern during our stay), so I would suggest avoiding that one.
We also got the pastries which were a delicious addition and baked in house.
The pain au chocolate was absolutely divine, do not pass it up!
The Library Bar
The Library Bar is the perfect cozy place to both start and end your day at The Lake House on Canandaigua.
This cozy cafe and bar features a warm fireplace, inviting booths, quiet corners, and lots and lots of books and games to keep you occupied.
They are open for coffee and pastry service every morning, and switch to featuring cocktails and light snacks in the evenings.
Whether you want to hole up and get some work done, or catch up with friends over a game of chess, the Library Bar is the perfect place for it.
Sand Bar
Although we didn’t get the chance to experience Sand Bar, it’s definitely an important feature of the hotel!
Open Thursday to Sunday, Sand Bar is a local favourite and institution in Canandaigua.
Although The Lake House on Canandaigua has only been open a couple years, Sand Bar has been there since 1994!
At Sand Bar you’ll find an excellent beer, wine, and cocktail list, plus a food menu full of bar favourites.
I wish we had the chance to experience it because the menu really does look so good!
Sand Bar has all sorts of seafood favourites like mussels and clams, fish & chips, and crab dip.
Willowbrook Spa
One of my absolute favourite amenities at the Lake House on Canandaigua was hands down Willowbrook Spa.
We had the opportunity to experience the Sauna Ritual which was absolutely incredible.
The Sauna Ritual includes a 60 minute private sauna experience in one of their beautiful outdoor sauna barrels.
It was such a relaxing and restorative experience to just sit there soaking in the heat and enjoying the beautiful lakeside views.
Beyond the sauna ritual experience, Willowbrook Spa offers tons of different spa treatments ranging from body treatments, facials, and express services.
If you’re planning a stay at the Lake House on Canandaigua you absolutely have to take advantage of the spa and book yourself in for a treatment.
Heated Outdoor Pool
Who doesn’t love staying in a hotel with a pool?
The Lake House on Canandaigua not only has an outdoor pool with incredible lakes views, but it also happens to be heated and open year round!
Whether you want to soak in the hot tub after a day of hitting the slopes, or want to swim some laps to cool off from the summer heat, the outdoor pool at The Lake House on Canandaigua is the perfect place to get in a little water therapy.
Additional Amenities
Beyond an incredible spa, heated outdoor pool and 3 fantastic dining options, The Lake House on Canandaigua features many amenities:
- A calendar full of activities and experiences like yoga, meditation and HIIT classes
- An incredible event space for weddings and events
- Complimentary welcome champagne upon arrival
- Complimentary beverages in the lobby
- Free shuttle service to nearby attractions and restaurants
Final Thoughts
After having spent 3 amazing nights at The Lake House on Canandiagua, I can definitely say that this is one hotel you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
The Lake House on Canandaigua truly is a destination resort, and it makes for the perfect relaxing getaway that will leave you feeling rested and rejuvenated.
If you have any questions at all about my experience staying with The Lake House on Canandaigua, feel free to reach out anytime or leave a comment below!
Happy traveling!
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook if you aren’t already!
Feel free to subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get my blog posts, updates, and special offers delivered right to your inbox 🙂