Inns of Aurora
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Inns of Aurora · Finger Lakes, United States
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Key Highlights
- ✓Lakeside Setting & Views: The Inns are situated on the shores of Cayuga Lake, offering stunning lake views and opportunities for water activities like kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
Expert Review: Inns of Aurora
The Inns of Aurora, a Michelin Key One-Key property nestled in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of the United States, is widely lauded for providing a "very special stay" with a strong emphasis on luxury, relaxation, and heartfelt hospitality. Guests consistently describe it as a "gem" and a truly "magical experience" in a serene setting.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for Inns of Aurora is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests rating their experience as "Exceptional" and "Absolutely terrific." The property holds a Michelin One-Key rating, signifying a "very special stay" and a "carefully chosen establishment that offers a convivial experience, with a personality and charm all its own." Reviewers frequently highlight the tranquility and beauty of the location, coupled with high-end comforts and attentive service.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several aspects of the Inns of Aurora:
- Spa Experience: The world-class spa, which opened in July 2021, is a major draw, offering extensive facilities, hydrotherapy circuits, and a café. Many consider it "next level" and an "astonishing experience."
- Lakeside Setting & Views: The Inns are situated on the shores of Cayuga Lake, offering stunning lake views and opportunities for water activities like kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
- Historic Charm & Design: Comprising five beautifully restored and renovated century-old inns, the property seamlessly blends historic charm with luxury-boutique standards. The decor is often described as tasteful and unique.
- Abundance of Activities: The resort offers a wide range of activities, including yoga, archery lessons, cooking classes, guided nature hikes, and complimentary s'mores kits for evening fire pits. Bicycles, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are also available for guests.
3. Room Quality
The 55 individually furnished rooms across the five inns vary in style, from contemporary re-creations of turn-of-the-20th-century aesthetics to minimalist designs in Zabriskie House and vibrant, whimsical decor in Wallcourt Hall. Rooms are described as high-end, plush, and well-appointed, but not overtly flashy. Comfort is a priority, with amenities such as premium bedding, Frette Italian linens, down comforters, air conditioning, and bathrobes. Many rooms feature working fireplaces, spacious bathrooms with heated floors (as noted in Zabriskie House), and balconies with rocking chairs and lake views. Each room also includes a Nespresso machine for coffee and tea, and complimentary bottled water. Some guests have noted that certain rooms, particularly those in the roof, might be small with less natural light. One reviewer mentioned a creaky bed that wasn't to their taste, and another found a bed too small for two adults.
4. Dining Experience
The Inns of Aurora embrace a farm-to-table dining culture, sourcing produce from local farms to create seasonal menus. There are multiple culinary venues available:
- 1833 Kitchen & Bar: Located in the historic Aurora Inn, this restaurant offers an award-winning wine list and a creative menu with eclectic New American dishes, including five-spice-rubbed duck breast and cured salmon tartare. Breakfast, brunch, and dinner are served, with options for dietary restrictions. Guests enjoy dining on the lakeside terrace.
- Fargo Bar & Grill: This more casual option provides a pub-like atmosphere with burgers, turkey melts, and local beers on tap.
- Village Market: Offers organic coffee, pastries, craft beer, and prepared culinary treats.
- Aurora Cook! A demonstration kitchen that hosts workshops and tastings.
- Spa Café: Exclusively for spa guests, offering a complimentary grazing table with salads, soup, and light fare. While many praise the delicious food, some guests have found the meals, particularly breakfast, to be a "little pricey" and there was one specific complaint about the food in the two main restaurants being "poor." Complimentary coffee, tea, and housemade granola bars are provided in the mornings.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Inns of Aurora are consistently highlighted as "impeccable, friendly, and efficient." Guests describe the staff as "thoughtful and helpful," "marvelous," and "great." Many reviews note that the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff exceed expectations. The resort offers a 24-hour guest services team, a full-time concierge for planning, and guest services liaisons for luggage and transportation within the property.
6. Location & Accessibility
The Inns of Aurora are located in the quaint, historic village of Aurora, New York, on the shores of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region. The village is described as a "storybook" and "beautiful" place, offering a quiet and serene atmosphere. It's a peaceful destination "off the beaten path."
- Attractions: The location provides easy access to the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (the oldest wine trail in the country) and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, as well as craft breweries and distilleries. Other local attractions include the Morgan Opera House, historic sites, nature preserves, and charming villages.
- Transport: On-site parking is free and plentiful. Once on-site, everything is within walking distance or accessible via a complimentary electric shuttle. The Inns are about a 30-minute drive from Ithaca, NY.
7. Value & Pricing
The Inns of Aurora are considered a luxury destination, and while offering "unbeatable value for money" for its amenities and services, it is generally considered a "pricey" vacation. The average room price is around $393. However, prices can fluctuate, with rooms seen from $232 to $375 in recent bookings. April is noted as the cheapest month to stay, while June is the most expensive. Guests often express a desire to return but acknowledge the cost. A daily resort fee is also mentioned, which grants access to the fitness facility and yoga studio.
8. Common Complaints
While reviews are largely positive, a few recurring criticisms appear:
- Bed Comfort/Size: Some guests have found the beds not to their taste, with one mentioning a creaky bed and another finding a bed too small for two average-sized people.
- Dining Inconsistencies: While many praise the food, one review explicitly stated that the food in the two main restaurants was "poor." Meals can also be perceived as pricey.
- Room Specifics: A few guests have noted that certain rooms, particularly those located in the roof, can be small and lack natural light, which may not align with expectations from booking photos.
- Limited EV Charging: One reviewer noted only two slow electric vehicle chargers in the area, suggesting a need for more.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While reviews are largely positive, a few recurring criticisms appear:
- •Dining Inconsistencies: While many praise the food, one review explicitly stated that the food in the two main restaurants was "poor." Meals can also be perceived as pricey.
Google Reviews
413 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Lauren Hines
I have definitely found heaven on earth! The grounds are beautiful and there is so much history here but the staff is what makes this place so magical. My husband and I have felt so loved and cared for this week! If you ever want to feel like you are in a hallmark town this is the place for you. We enjoyed talking to Mike at the front desk while he was able to help us figure out places to go and t...
Ryann Guglielmo
We spent our mom’s birthday weekend in January at the Inns of Aurora, and it was absolutely beautiful!! We stayed in a suite and were so impressed by how spacious and stunning the room was. When we checked in, we enjoyed a wine tasting by the fireplace, which was incredibly cozy and such a perfect welcome!! We had a great dinner at Fargo across the street… so delicious! We did the one hour guided...
Teresa Gaetani
My husband and I took a long weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary here. We were so impressed by the welcoming, friendly staff and the quality of the inn and spa. Our anniversary falls in the middle to late autumn, so we quickly found out there’s not too much to do in Aurora or with the inn, especially on the weekend. I can see there being much more activities in the summer, early fall or e...
Sydney Jones
Hands down this place is beautiful and the people here are extremely welcoming and helpful for the most part. I would stay here again time and time again. I was a little worried when I booked a treatment for my mom for her birthday in January. The spa itself is beautiful. However the masseuse wasn’t great. She spoke negatively about other clients saying “they were disgusting” to my mother. She wa...
Mike
Everyone was very nice. Great place to visit. Enjoyed the firepit, warm blankets, endless firewood, and complimentary smores. It rained a bit during our trip so our outdoor days were limited but still enjoyed. There two fireplaces inside the common area, games available including chess, and other areas to just hang out. Note during winter hours many things in the area shut down early or have reduc...
Steven Turkovich
Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe the experience we had with our wedding at the Inns of Aurora. We cannot thank Kim, Breanna, Alistair, Taylor, Julia, and the entire team enough for making everything seamless from start to finish. They handled every detail, answered every question, and made the entire process effortless. What stood out most, though, was how genuinely warm and welcoming everyo...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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