Otesaga Resort Hotel: background
The Otesaga Resort Hotel is on Lake Otesego in Cooperstown, NY, 70 miles west of Albany, and a 4-hour drive from NYC. Cooperstown -- billed as "America's most perfect village"-- was founded in 1786 by Judge William Cooper; his novelist son, James Fenimore Cooper, set many books in the area. Cooperstown has a Farmer's Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, the Fenimore Art Museum (all walking distance from the Otesaga), and the world-class Glimmerglass Opera.What's special about the Otesaga Resort?
The Otesaga was built with style and grandeur in 1909; it's huge neo-Georgian portico (above) sets the tone. Original artwork, high-ceilinged lobby and Ballroom, lakeside verandah-- you get the picture. The resort has 136 rooms including several suites.
Recreation includes pool and lake swimming, canoeing, tennis, bike routes, and the championship Leatherstocking Golf Course (also dating back to 1909). Music is often heard: during afternoon tea, in the Lounge, and on summer evenings on the Lakeside Lawn. Note that in the Main Dining Room, gentlemen must wear a jacket at dinner-- and this includes boys age 12 and up.
What's Special for Families?
Kids are welcome and stay free with an adult, right up to age 18. Besides the on-property recreation, kids can enjoy the Baseball Hall of Fame and (perhaps even better) the baseball card shops on Main Street. The Farmer's Museum is actually a historic village and working farm, with costumed guides and craftspeople, "heritage livestock", and original buildings-- tavern, blacksmith shop, print shop.-- where kids can see the town newspaper, horseshoes, etc. being made.
Holidays are special times: a Family Thanksgiving Weekend package, for example, offers dinners and breakfasts including the Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, manager's reception, and family activities.
The Otesaga has other holiday specials: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day... Packages may include breakfast, dinner, reception, and ticket to Cooperstown attractions.
Check the web site for holiday packages, and look for the Natty Bumppo package (named for a famed character in James Fenimore Cooper novels.)
Keep in mind:
- A $15*/per person/per day service charge is added to your account; $9 for kids age 6 & under
Find out more about the Otesaga Resort Hotel:
Visit the Otesaga site, and check TripAdvisor.com for comments from visitors. Family Travel Forum has a favorable review of a 3-generational trip- (a small subscription fee is required for some sections of this site.)
This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.
*photos courtesy of Otesaga Resort Hotel.
