Benn Conger Inn

When we arrived, the owner Drew personally greeted us and gave us a brief history of the property. He was especially nice and willing to meet our expectations for an exceptional stay. He introduced us to the Inn Keeper; Shelly and she also offered her services to make our stay as pleasant as could be. We found this personal communication to be very reassuring that our stay was going to be an enjoyable one. We stayed in a 2-bedroom suite, which was beautifully decorated, absolutely clean and overall cozy. When we requested a few additional amenities, the reply was immediate. In the evening, Shelly lit the fire pit and guests from both houses congregated. This really was a very nice touch. It created an atmosphere to come together with people you did not know, and a great time was had by all during our 2-night stay. This is not standard operating procedure in a commercially owned hotel. The breakfast each morning was home cooked and delicious. We will certainly be back when we visit our son at SUNY Cortland (it is only a 15-minute drive). Thank you for the wonderful hospitality and attention to detail.

The main house is beautiful with tons of historical decor and art that had a museum feel but in a warm homey setting. Our stay was in the Dempsey house (also beautiful) in the Smith Corona room on the top floor. There is a fire pit with seating between the two houses that the hosts light in the evenings for guests to sit around and enjoy. Our room was very clean and comfortable. It had a huge private balcony facing the back and side of the house that wrapped around the corner of the house and overlooked the beautiful grounds. It was accessable through a set of glass doors in the bedroom and had comfortable seating. The room had a gas fireplace, a king bed, TV, wardrobe, side tables and a comfortable chair. There was also a fully stocked coffee station with a Keurig and bottles of water. The attached bathroom had a Jacuzzi tub/shower combination. The room was quiet and peaceful. We didn't hear any noise from the other guests in the rooms next to us or below, aside from the room doors opening and closing. The hosts were so nice and helpful. Breakfast was amazing! Our breakfast was buffet style with many delicious home made options ranging from eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, a bacon and waffle bake, cinnamon roll French toast, two kinds of muffins, fresh fruit, pumpkin swirl pound cake, juices, coffee, tea, and more. It was served in a beautiful glass enclosed dining room with a view of the grounds. Overall, we had a wonderful stay.

Innkeeper Shelley and manager Drew were both very nice and knowledgeable, checking to make sure we had everything we needed during our stay. The two houses were both beautiful and nicely renovated with continuing improvements. Bedroom, bathroom, and balcony were roomy and well equipped. Lighting, outlets, and temperature control all worked great. Breakfast was fantastic and served very cordially. TV had a nice selection of channels.

Every year on our anniversary we like to explore somewhere new. This year was upper Cayuga Lake region. The Benn Conger Inn was the perfect base camp to explore nearby Aurora on the lake and then enjoy the dining in Ithaca. The inn is a fantastic venue spot and we were imagining how it’s beauty would be even more amplified during the spring and summer. The history is rich and it seeps from the architecture, embellishments and art throughout both buildings. Everything proclaims quality, intentionality and care, from linens to food to staff. We stayed in the Dempsey House and enjoyed having a jacuzzi and fireplace in our room. Impeccable cleanliness everywhere! We were also blessed with a bottle of local champagne and sweet welcoming card for our anniversary from the manager, Drew. Shelley, the innkeeper, is so gifted at everything she sets her heart to there. We very much enjoyed getting to chat with her during our delicious and hearty breakfasts. The family is definitely fulfilling their vision to preserve the splendid historic feel of this idyllic spot and enlarge its impact by bringing guests like us into its embrace. We enjoyed our stay so much!!

the breakfast omelet and sausage were perfect! Everything was lovely. The cook did a great job.