Need NYS Finger Lake Wine Country Help!!! - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

tfh13 · February 8, 2009, 07:25 PM

Hi, I'm considering a short Sun-Wed vacation starting July 12, 2009 to the Finger Lake region. It's for two adults. My main concern is lodging and wine tasting

although I won't turn down site seeing suggestions. Does anybody have first hand experience with the RCI Hope Lake Lodge Resort & Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak (#8757)? Do you have any other lodging recommendations for anywhere in that region? Thank you. -T

noson7982 · February 8, 2009, 09:17 PM

Brand New Hotel in the quaint town of Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
16 North Franklin Street
Watkins Glen, NY, 15211
(607) 535 6188

Beautiful room with a great LakeView of Seneca Lake

or at the North End of Seneca

Ramada Inn lakefront
Geneva New York
(315) 789 0400

Many Wine Trails in that Area

Bob

wackymother · February 8, 2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfh13

Hi, I'm considering a short Sun-Wed vacation starting July 12, 2009 to the Finger Lake region. It's for two adults. My main concern is lodging and wine tasting

although I won't turn down site seeing suggestions. Does anybody have first hand experience with the RCI Hope Lake Lodge Resort & Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak (#8757)? Do you have any other lodging recommendations for anywhere in that region? Thank you. -T

I don't think Hope Lake Lodge is open yet, or even done with construction. Even when it opens, it will probably be an extremely difficult trade.

We haven't been to the Finger Lakes in years. If you like bed-and-breakfasts, it's a good area for them. Book really early though, because they used to get full long before the summer season.

sullco · February 10, 2009, 04:43 PM

I was at Greek Peak this summer; it's unlikely that the new property and water park will be finished in time. However, Greek Peak has an existing timeshare property, but I know nothing about availability. The property is still owned and operated by the same man and his family as it has been for decades--they are committed to the place and it is in a lovely rural location.

The entire Finger Lakes Region is an undervalued gem, in my opinion. While I would prefer that it remains less known than it deserves to be, please go and enjoy it. Just don't tell anyone else.

I know the Seneca Lake area the best--from Watkins Glen up the east side and finally to Geneva. But Skaneateles is spectacular as well.

Even if you can't get a timeshare exchange, go.

falmouth3 · February 10, 2009, 05:22 PM

I have a former colleague who, just yesterday contacted me, asking for advice on finding websites to promote the Finger Lakes Region for wine tasting. If you're interested in contacting her for more info, send me a PM.

Sue

e.bram · February 10, 2009, 06:01 PM

You can stay in Ithaca, Lots of places to stay because of its proximity to Cornell University.

JUDIE25 · February 10, 2009, 06:21 PM

You also might try the Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua, NY. It is also right on the lake and next door to the New York Wine and Culinary Center www.nywcc.com. If you have never done any of the Finger Lakes Wineries, this center is the place to start. You can sample wines from all over New York State and then you can choose which wineries you wish to visit in person. The food in their dining room is also excellent.

One recommendation from someone who visits the wineries all the time: Plan on visiting four or fewer wineries per day. After four wineries (with multiple tastings per winery) your palate (along with the rest of you) gets a little numb. It is really hard choosing only four per day, but you will be glad you did.

Judie

tashamen · February 11, 2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e.bram

You can stay in Ithaca, Lots of places to stay because of its proximity to Cornell University.

I agree - plus Cornell also runs its own hotel at its hotel school - the Statler - right on campus, where I've stayed a few times.

Art · February 12, 2009, 01:56 PM

It is too early to know what will happen this year, but in the past various B&B have put together 2 or 3 day packages that include wine tastings and discounted rooms.

What might make one of these especially attractive to the OP is that emphasis is on selling rooms Sun thru Thursday night. At least when we did one, they did sell out so advance planning is necessary.

Check here: http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/ for an overall guide to wineries in the area. This site includes links to the Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga Lake wine trails. The time we did the B&B thing. we found it on the Keuka Lake trail info.

Art

jkkee · February 13, 2009, 11:12 AM

These are really for reference mostly, there are other winereies on the trails, but that haven't paid to be associated with the wine trail. The three main finger lakes wine trail sites:
http://www.keukawinetrail.com/
http://senecalakewine.com/
http://www.cayugawinetrail.com/

For places to stay, I don't know anything about timeshares in the area since I only live an hour away. I think the best is staying at B&B's in this area. There are also hotels. Ithaca, Watkins Glen, and Geneva are all good places to stay depending on which wine trail your interested in visiting.

Stick to 4-5 wineries, make sure you have a decent breakfast and lunch and have plenty of water, and maybe some crackers with you to cleanse your palate after the visits, and to keep yourself hydrated! A designated driver is a good idea too. There are options for groups trips as well. I personally haven't used any of these, so I can't comment.
http://www.winetourtrolley.com/
http://www.senecawinetour.com/

I love the Finger lakes area, and thier wines, and agree that it is a beautiful unrecognized gem.

Jen

borntotravel · February 13, 2009, 02:02 PM

On Seneca Lake (northern end near Geneva) is the beautiful Bellhurst Castle (www.bellhurst.com). You might want to stay there for a romantic night or two. It is right on the lake and the place as well as the views are beautiful!

tfh13 · February 14, 2009, 09:40 AM

Thank you everyone for your wonderful insight and suggestions. I've been checking out the links and getting a better understanding of what we want. There are many B&B possibilities. We think something along the upper part of Lake Cayuga down Rt. 89 or 90 would be perfect. -T

sullco · February 17, 2009, 09:53 AM

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-y...lia-place.html

Not to overload you, but I have stayed at this B&B and can recommend it. It's in the heart of winery country on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake--about 15 minutes north of Watkins Glen.

I have good friends from that town and they always recommend this B&B to their friends.

Don't miss Trumansburg--a lovely town with an intact main street that feels like the best kind of time machine.

February 8, 2009, 07:25 PM	#1
tfh13 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 27 Resorts: Barclay Towers, Va. Beach	Need NYS Finger Lake Wine Country Help!!! Hi, I'm considering a short Sun-Wed vacation starting July 12, 2009 to the Finger Lake region. It's for two adults. My main concern is lodging and wine tasting although I won't turn down site seeing suggestions. Does anybody have first hand experience with the RCI Hope Lake Lodge Resort & Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak (#8757)? Do you have any other lodging recommendations for anywhere in that region? Thank you. -T

February 8, 2009, 09:17 PM	#2
noson7982 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Hamburg, NY Posts: 60 Resorts: Fairfield Resorts Williamsburg Myrtle Beach	New Hotel in Watkins Glen Brand New Hotel in the quaint town of Watkins Glen Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel 16 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, NY, 15211 (607) 535 6188 Beautiful room with a great LakeView of Seneca Lake or at the North End of Seneca Ramada Inn lakefront Geneva New York (315) 789 0400 Many Wine Trails in that Area Bob

February 13, 2009, 11:12 AM	#10
jkkee TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Oct 19, 07 Location: Kirkwood, NY Posts: 34	Wine trail web sites These are really for reference mostly, there are other winereies on the trails, but that haven't paid to be associated with the wine trail. The three main finger lakes wine trail sites: http://www.keukawinetrail.com/ http://senecalakewine.com/ http://www.cayugawinetrail.com/ For places to stay, I don't know anything about timeshares in the area since I only live an hour away. I think the best is staying at B&B's in this area. There are also hotels. Ithaca, Watkins Glen, and Geneva are all good places to stay depending on which wine trail your interested in visiting. Stick to 4-5 wineries, make sure you have a decent breakfast and lunch and have plenty of water, and maybe some crackers with you to cleanse your palate after the visits, and to keep yourself hydrated! A designated driver is a good idea too. There are options for groups trips as well. I personally haven't used any of these, so I can't comment. http://www.winetourtrolley.com/ http://www.senecawinetour.com/ I love the Finger lakes area, and thier wines, and agree that it is a beautiful unrecognized gem. Jen Last edited by jkkee : February 13, 2009 at 11:13 AM. Reason: added in tip about water...

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February 10, 2009, 04:43 PM	#4
sullco Guest BBS Reg. Date: Mar 27, 08 Location: NY Posts: 101	I was at Greek Peak this summer; it's unlikely that the new property and water park will be finished in time. However, Greek Peak has an existing timeshare property, but I know nothing about availability. The property is still owned and operated by the same man and his family as it has been for decades--they are committed to the place and it is in a lovely rural location. The entire Finger Lakes Region is an undervalued gem, in my opinion. While I would prefer that it remains less known than it deserves to be, please go and enjoy it. Just don't tell anyone else. I know the Seneca Lake area the best--from Watkins Glen up the east side and finally to Geneva. But Skaneateles is spectacular as well. Even if you can't get a timeshare exchange, go.

February 10, 2009, 05:22 PM	#5
falmouth3 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,649	I have a former colleague who, just yesterday contacted me, asking for advice on finding websites to promote the Finger Lakes Region for wine tasting. If you're interested in contacting her for more info, send me a PM. Sue

February 10, 2009, 06:01 PM	#6
e.bram Guest BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Posts: 1,218 Resorts: Surfside resort(MA) 3 weeks OceanCliff I&2 (RI) Newport Overlook(RI) 2weeks	You can stay in Ithaca, Lots of places to stay because of its proximity to Cornell University.

February 10, 2009, 06:21 PM	#7
JUDIE25 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 186 Resorts: Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT. Vistana Beach Club, Jensen Beach, FL. Mountainside Resort, Stowe, VT.	You also might try the Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua, NY. It is also right on the lake and next door to the New York Wine and Culinary Center www.nywcc.com. If you have never done any of the Finger Lakes Wineries, this center is the place to start. You can sample wines from all over New York State and then you can choose which wineries you wish to visit in person. The food in their dining room is also excellent. One recommendation from someone who visits the wineries all the time: Plan on visiting four or fewer wineries per day. After four wineries (with multiple tastings per winery) your palate (along with the rest of you) gets a little numb. It is really hard choosing only four per day, but you will be glad you did. Judie

February 12, 2009, 01:56 PM	#9
Art TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 414 Resorts: Marriott Ocean Pointe Kona Coast Resort Harbor Ridge Marriott Grande Ocean	It is too early to know what will happen this year, but in the past various B&B have put together 2 or 3 day packages that include wine tastings and discounted rooms. What might make one of these especially attractive to the OP is that emphasis is on selling rooms Sun thru Thursday night. At least when we did one, they did sell out so advance planning is necessary. Check here: http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/ for an overall guide to wineries in the area. This site includes links to the Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga Lake wine trails. The time we did the B&B thing. we found it on the Keuka Lake trail info. Art

February 13, 2009, 02:02 PM	#11
borntotravel TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Aug 24, 07 Location: Columbia, South Carolina, USA Posts: 195 Resorts: Club Sunterra (Sunterra points) Orange Lake Country Club - Kissimmee, FL Fairmont Vacation Villas at Mountainside	On Seneca Lake (northern end near Geneva) is the beautiful Bellhurst Castle (www.bellhurst.com). You might want to stay there for a romantic night or two. It is right on the lake and the place as well as the views are beautiful!

February 14, 2009, 09:40 AM	#12
tfh13 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 27 Resorts: Barclay Towers, Va. Beach	Thank you everyone for your wonderful insight and suggestions. I've been checking out the links and getting a better understanding of what we want. There are many B&B possibilities. We think something along the upper part of Lake Cayuga down Rt. 89 or 90 would be perfect. -T

February 17, 2009, 09:53 AM	#13
sullco Guest BBS Reg. Date: Mar 27, 08 Location: NY Posts: 101	http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-y...lia-place.html Not to overload you, but I have stayed at this B&B and can recommend it. It's in the heart of winery country on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake--about 15 minutes north of Watkins Glen. I have good friends from that town and they always recommend this B&B to their friends. Don't miss Trumansburg--a lovely town with an intact main street that feels like the best kind of time machine.