In the heart of the Finger Lakes, the three-story brick Aurora Inn overlooks Cayuga Lake in the quaint, historic village of Aurora. It has a pedigree dating to 1833. In 2003, the Inn reopened after being impeccably restored because of the largess of Pleasant Rowland, a Wells College graduate and the creator of the American Girl dolls.
Guests enter the Federal-style center hall with a registration desk, writing desk and fireplace to the left and a formal parlor on the right. The hall leads to the bar, restaurant and dining deck. The property maintains an understated elegance with period artwork.
The Aurora Inn Restaurant offers classic American country fare served on special edition MacKenzie-Childs tableware featuring images of the Inn. Diners have a choice of tables with a lake view, alfresco seating or cozy fireplace seating. A full-service bar presents a wine list featuring Finger Lakes Wines. The adjacent Village Market offers freshly baked goods and gourmet take-out meals. Across the street, under the same management, are the Fargo Bar and Grill with a casual tavern menu and the Pizzaurora for pizza, subs and salads.
Inn guests may borrow a bicycle, kayak or canoe to explore the area. The Wells College golf course, designed in part by Robert Trent Jones, is only minutes away. Located in the heart of wine country, Aurora is the perfect starting point to enjoy winery tours, hiking trails or shopping at Mackenzie-Childs.
The Lakeside Room can accommodate events from small executive retreats to theater-style presentations for 120 with complete audiovisual support, including an LCD projector and screen, a TV, VCR, DVD player, conference phone, flip charts and whiteboards. The indoor reception area is adorned with historic murals. The stone terrace and the lawn and gardens that roll gently down to the water's edge are used as breakout or reception areas. High-speed Internet access and fax services are available. The nearby E.B. Morgan House is also an excellent venue for intimate executive retreats and can accommodate up to 14 people for meetings.
The Inn offers 10 well-appointed guest rooms, which have a country-comfort feel, with a choice of queen or king beds featuring Italian Frette linens, large desks and intimate lighting. All rooms are equipped with large flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Bose radios, high-speed wireless Internet access, irons and ironing boards, and large safes. Several rooms have working fireplaces. All but the two suites are accessible by elevator. Suites have wet bars. Eight rooms have balconies with rocking chairs and a choice of village or lake views. Well-appointed marble baths have plush towels, robes and showers (some baths have double showers). The two suites have whirlpool tubs and skylights. All feature Essential Elements toiletries.
Guests looking for casual elegance in a more private, homelike atmosphere can choose to stay at the E.B. Morgan House a short walk down the street. Under the same management, the E.B. Morgan House, dating to 1858, recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. The five-room property with a prized location on the shore is an excellent takeover property. One room is wheelchair accessible. The E.B. Morgan House and Aurora Inn show the same attention to detail.
All rooms at the Aurora Inn and E.B. Morgan House are smoke-free. Pets are not allowed. Room service is not provided, but in the morning, a "Little Red Riding Hood" basket with coffee, tea and muffins arrives with the paper. Lake-view rooms are preferable.
The well-trained staff will strive to meet any reasonable request. The property has no nearby competition in location, ambience or service.
