The Lake House on Canandaigua, a resort on the shore of Canandaigua Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes, has a holiday gift you can’t unwrap in one morning. Whoever gets it has to keep coming back to the lake as the seasons change, and the only thing left to unwrap waits until the very end.
Alex Schnoeller, general manager of The Lake House, said the Finger Lakes reward people who come back. “Each season brings a completely different experience,” he said. The team liked the idea of a gift that covers a whole year of trips instead of just one, he added, with something new to look forward to each time the season changes.
How the Year of Getaways Works
Postcards from The Lake House bundles four stays of two nights each, one for every season. That’s eight nights at The Lake House on Canandaigua over the year. Each visit follows its own itinerary for that time of year.
What Each Season Includes
Every season gets its own focus, from the water in summer to the gardens in spring.
- Summer centers on the lake. You get a private, captained boat cruise, a poolside daybed and complimentary watersports.
- Fall is harvest season in Finger Lakes wine country. The stay includes a wine tour with transportation, plus s’mores by the fire every night.
- Winter is about wellness. Guests get a seasonal treatment at Willowbrook Spa and a session in a lakeside barrel sauna. The stay also includes yoga and meditation classes.
- In spring, guests head outdoors for a private tour of The Lake House gardens. A guided hike follows, with a picnic basket that a chef prepares.
The Perks of Booking All 4
Booking the complete year adds a few extras. All four stays come with a seasonal welcome amenity and a room upgrade when one is available, and the final visit includes your choice of a celebratory dinner or a spa experience.
After the fourth trip, there’s finally something to unwrap. Guests receive a set of Lake House wine glasses and a Lake House wine opener. A bottle of Dr. Konstantin Frank sparkling wine comes with them.
A Smaller Version of the Gift
Four trips in one year is a lot to plan. The resort also sells seasons separately, so you can give a single season or combine two or three, with pricing that varies by room type and travel dates. If the person on your list lives for wine, start with the fall stay.