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Cooperstown,
N.Y. hotel reviews
Your easy-to-use Cooperstown
NY Hotel Guide
In search of the best hotels,
motels, bed and breakfasts and inns in one of America's most
beautiful villages
by Eric J. Hurwitz
The greatest aspect of staying
in a Cooperstown bed & brekafast, inn, hotel or motel is
the friendliness of the owners. If the owners were any nicer
to the customers, they might displace Barney and Friends as the
world leaders in getting along with other people.
Rarely does a vacation destination
have such a high number of down-to-earth hotel owners. They contribute
greatly to the overall special feeling of Cooperstown which has
so many people returning again and again -- and others deciding
to make "the move" to this peaceful and lovely village.
These owners aren't just nice
-- they offer first-class hotel accomodations, sure to meet every
tourists' needs. Some great Cooperstown Village homes of yesteryear
are now bed and breakfasts and inns, our favorites being the
Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast, the Inn at Cooperstown,
Nelson Avenue Pines and Landmark Inn.
 The Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast is
advertised as "a warm, comfortable 1902 Victorian home filled
with delicious homemade breakfasts, scones and cookies welcomes
you, only three blocks from the Hall of Fame." Just a short
walk to Main St., the Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast certainly
lives up to its billing, and beyond. Owners John and Linda Smirk
represent what makes Cooperstown such a special place. They are
warm, kind, caring people, and that is well relfected in their
sparkling, three-story Victorian. We particularly enjoy the great
conversations with the Smirks and their guests. The second floor
porch is quaint and romantic, a perfect place to sip a cup of
tea and read a book. The back room is perfect for children, with
a nice stretch of space and plenty of toys. When staying at the
Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast, one realizes that people like
the Smirks are a reason Cooperstown is so special. Businesses
come alive when the owners care about their product. From the
well-maintained rooms to the delicious chocolate chip cookies,
the Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast is an instant Cooperstown memory.
It is our top lodging choice when staying in Cooperstown.
The
Inn at Cooperstown
is the perfect lodging destination. The rooms, so classy but
informal, make for a great night's sleep. The dining and living
room area evoke a more elaborate version of the old-time feeling
of your grandparent's house. Everywhere you look there is a nuance
that sticks in your mind, long after returning home. The Victorian
furnishings, antiques, a fireplace, the comfy couches, and old-fashioned
chairs make one want to stay indoors all day long. The long front
porch, with its wonderful rocking chairs, gently puts everything
in perspective by allowing you to unwind in the grand Cooperstown
Village atmosphere. Perspective can be gained here as everyday
life -- high-rises, rush hours, cell phones and other aspects
of the ironic use of the word, "civilization" --seems
secondary to the slower pace and grace of this Chestnut St. location.
The Nelson Avenue
Pines is close to Otsego Lake and all Cooperstown Main Street
activities. A stunning 1870s Victorian set to Country French
decor and antiques, the Nelson Avenue Pines is located on a street
(Nelson Ave., of course) of magnificent large homes, close to
Main St. The Nelson Avenue Pines is spotless on the inside with
some very pleasant rooms, including a full third floor for families
and others wanting more space. Owner Penny Gentile is a gracious
host and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She knows
how to run a bed and breakfast, and more, importantly she truly
loves the work she does -- that makes the stay delightful. The
Nelson Avenue Pines is kid-friendly, and offers perhaps the best
breakfast in Cooperstown, with incredible aromas of freshly
roasted coffee, daily baked delicacies, and house specialties
of crepes, Belgian waffles, or French toast a l'orange, as well
as a great tropical fruit salad.
The Landmark Inn is a great example
of stately Victorian architecture, residing on a large (and pretty)
Chesnut St. lot. Recently remodeled (it was great before that),
the Landmark Inn, built in 1856, offers first-class accomodations
set to high ceilings, exposed cherry and chestnut floors in the
living room, dining room, and guest rooms, a grand staircase,
internal and external flourishes with every step, a wonderful
backyard perfect for outdoor receptions, and a short walk to
the downtown. We have not been to the Landmark under its new
ownership, but look forward to doing so. Past owners Linda and
Bob Schuermann ran the Inn beautifully with warmth, grace and
professionalism. Word is new ownership has kept that magic combination
and an eye for restoration, which is good news for those looking
at staying at, pardon the pun, a true "landmark" in
Cooperstown.
Outside the Village of Cooperstown
resides the Lake 'n Pines with gorgeous views of Otsego
Lake. With well-kept motel rooms and cabins, a swimming area,
boating and an indoor pool, the Lake 'n Pines is a great family
lodging choice and less than 10 minutes to the Village of Cooperstown.
The mix of tall pines, the glistening lake, nice rooms and a
pleasant staff make the Lake 'n Pines the top lodging choice
outside the Village.
Editor's note: There are many
other fine lodging establishments in Cooperstown. Please visit
the Cooperstown
Chamber of Commerce Web Site for a complete list. We also
encourage you to read an article on our anticipated visit (somewhere
down the road when the occasion calls for it) on the Otesaga
Resort Hotel. Additionally, CooperstownForKids.com,
a Web Site dedicated to helping families plan a Cooperstown vacation,
offers additional perspectives on some of the Cooperstown area lodging
establishments mentioned above, as well as other Otsego County hotels.
Cooperstown lodging addresses
and contact info:
Cooperstown
Bed & Breakfast
88 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown,
NY - (607)547-2532
The
Inn at Cooperstown
16 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown,
NY - (607)547-5756
Landmark
Inn
64 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown,
NY- (607)547-7225
Lake 'N Pines Motel
7102 St Hwy 80, Cooperstown,
NY - (607)547-2790
Nelson
Avenue Pines
20 Nelson Avenue, Cooperstown,
NY - (607)547-7118
For more information on
Cooperstown, NY, view the Cooperstown
Travel Library, Attractions Resource
Guide, Calendar of Events, Dining, and photo
gallery sections.
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