Curl up by the Fire

Chilly, frosty, goosebump-raising snow is good for one thing and one thing only in Central New York: staying warm by drawing the one you love in closer to you.
And stay warm you will in Madison County’s plethora of cozy, love-inspiring, love-rekindling bed & breakfasts. One such place, the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia, is an all-in-one recipe for romance. Cuddle in quaint guest rooms in the main house or rest your head in the completely renovated carriage house. Some rooms feature a Jacuzzi bath or fireplace to really up the spark in your relationship – and yes, the pun is intended. Speaking of puns and old adages, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – give this theory a shot and savor a meal created with the freshest ingredients from local farmers at Circa in Cazenovia, where a seasonal menu featuring American cuisine is inspired by locally grown and organic treats. Once you’re sufficiently stuffed, share a quiet evening at the Notleymere Cottage, where a private bath accompanies each guest room and breakfast awaits you before a crackling fire.

Be treated like royalty for a weekend in Montgomery County’s Amsterdam Castle, a private, renovated residence featuring a 10,000 square foot ballroom, two inviting guest wings for overnight stays, and a billiard room. Recently, filmmakers have used the Amsterdam Castle for their shoots and it has been featured on HGTV! Nothing like a little fairytale romance to ignite passion.  Or, retreat to nature for an aphrodisiac, and spend a night or three at the Inn by the Mill, located in a tranquil, park-like setting amidst cascading waterfalls and herb, flower, and water gardens. Stroll hand-in-hand through this peaceful haven or reflect on your relationship in the hot tub spa overlooking the waterfalls and natural gorge. For another awesomely panoramic view, this time of the historic Mohawk and Schoharie valleys, settle in to the Stone Rose Bed and Breakfast, a country house providing lovely accommodations, old fashioned home cooking and genuine hospitality.  

See a Broadway-style show without the hassle of driving all the way to New York City in an intimate, glamorous setting at The Stanley Theatre in Utica! Share the experience of a rousing orchestral concert, the excitement of a Celtic Riverdance, the beauty of a graceful ballet performance or foot-tapping tunes of a jazzy cabaret show with the one you love. Continue your stint with performing arts excellence at the Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute where world famous soloists and ensembles perform, and where a renowned permanent collection and fascinating exhibitions in an International-style gallery reside for your artful entertainment. Spend the night at the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast where rooms are adorned in Italianate Victorian architecture and a mouthwatering breakfast beckons to you in an elegant dining room when you wake.

For a full day of pampering and a restful night in luxurious accommodations, book your stay at Traditions at the Glen Resort & Spa in Greater Binghamton. Nestled amid rolling hills and lush woods, Traditions ought to become exactly that – a tradition – for you and your loved one, a sanctuary for you to visit every year to completely relax and unwind. Take it all in: the mix of rustic décor and modern conveniences, the spacious suites overlooking magnificent views of landscape stretching as far as the eye can see, the full-service spa brimming with opportunity for peace and repose. There’s nothing more reinvigorating for a relationship than a weekend of tranquility in each other’s company. Bed & Breakfast at Endwell Greens is another spectacular place of respite for couples. Slow the pace with warm hospitality in a relaxing country atmosphere, and if you’re up for a little light activity, play a round of 9 holes at the impeccably landscaped greens right on the premises.

Experience a refined love affair of an earlier era at The Preferred Manor in Chenango County. Spend an evening in the Manor’s spacious stone house, originally built in 1831, and relish in the preservation of over a century of rich history and local heritage. An overnight at The Preferred Manor provides the preferred hideaway from current day chaos. Or, if you’d rather stay in this century, pack your comfiest bathrobe and pink bunny slippers and head to Fred’s. Fred’s Inn, that is. Let the bubbles soothe your aching back (from schlepping your over-packed suitcase around) in the Jacuzzi room adjacent to a cozy fireplace, and take pleasure in all the comforts of home – away from home – where no one can bug you.

Farmhouse-turned restaurant and tavern with a wood fired oven, Villa Isidoro Inn & Ristorante offers divine meals coupled with intimate accommodations all in one charming locale in Herkimer County. Soak in the ambiance of the wrap-around porch, custom-made Pergola with Ivy covered logs and the stone pillar archway as the first snowfall floats lightly to the ground. Besides the flurries, you’ll notice something else in the air – yep, love.

Ignite your amour and discover genuine hospitality and distinctive accommodations smack dab in the heart of Cooperstown at The Inn at Cooperstown. Built in 1874 as the annex to Cooperstown’s posh Hotel Fenimore and fully refurbished in 1985, this beautifully restored Victorian inn presents luxury suites complete with spa-like bathrooms, a fireplace, wet bar, and living and sitting room. To top it all off, it’s situated just a short walk from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, quaint boutiques and fantastic restaurants – all fantastic date-night accoutrements.

How about curling up by the fire at a place known as “a winner of three historic preservation awards” and “featured on the Food Network and on HGTV's Restore America” and even “touted in The New York Times?” Not too shabby, eh? Plan your escape to the American Hotel in Schoharie, just 20 minutes from Glimmerglass Opera (yet another perfect touch for an amorous night). This 1847 Greek Revival hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and presents the ideal atmosphere for a leisurely feast with your sweetie. For a little more drama, run off to the Northern Catskills to the Backstage Bed and Breakfast where each room is a theatrically decorated “dressing room” and you can let loose in the “actor's lounge" or listen to local actors reading short stories on the “fireplace set.” Who needs Hollywood and Bines anyway?