Mel B.

Marianne and Sam, the current owners of the Blushing Rose Bed & Breakfast, sign their notes with "giving the gift of hospitality." A perfect way to sum up a weekend stay at this lovely B&B in Hammondsport, NY. Located just steps away from Keuka Lake, the town of Hammondsport, and a short drive to local wineries in the area, the Blushing Rose is a great place to drop your bags, hang your hat, and get relaxin'. From the moment you walk in the door, you are greeted by the owners with warm smiles and "make yourself at home" assurance. The first floor has a living room area where there is a guest TV, books, brochures for all the local wineries and attractions, and menus for nearby restaurants. Just upstairs you pass a game room with a table and view of the front yard, to get to the guest area. There are four spacious guest bedrooms at the Blushing Rose, all with queen beds and their own bathroom (I believe one room has a private bathroom just outside the door). I liked the Starlight room with a comfortable lofted queen bed and canopy twirled with white lights that you can turn on and off with a button by the bed. The Starlight room had a seating area with views of the back garden, a closet armoire, and a mirrored dresser to store clothes if needed. Just down the hall is a hospitality area complete with a mini fridge stocked with water, and room to place your new purchases from the local wineries. There is a table stocked full of shampoos and other toiletries that you may have forgot to bring along, as well as an iron and hairdryers. (As a lady, I much appreciated this). When you check-in to the B&B, there is a plate in your room with freshly-baked cookies and other little snacks. When you return at night from dinner and a walk by the lake, there are adirondack chairs that you can lounge in with a burbling fountain and lake view, or you can sit out on the porch that overlooks the sleepy street. AND!-there is another plate of cookies (new varieties) and tea waiting in the dining area for a bedtime snack. I am a cookie fanatic, so I was so terribly happy trying each one of the chocolate chip, ginger sugar and peanut butter cookies waiting for me when I got "home." The organic and home-made breakfasts are also incredible. I always have fun at B&B's because of the creativity that the owners put into their breakfasts. The first breakfast was private, at the dining table, with slices of pumpkin bread pudding, fresh melon with raspberry puree, and a delicious eggs benedict on whole wheat, served on china. There was also orange juice, water, and coffee. Light seaside music plays in the background, reminding you that you are indeed on vacation. The second breakfast, we were joined by our fellow guests at the dining table. Breakfast was a raspberry bread, with a plate of strawberries, banana, kiwi and strawberry cream. Next came what I would describe as a boosted pancake, with berries and 100% natural maple syrup. It was fun to get to know other travelers and swap stories. As mentioned earlier, Marianne and Sam make you feel like you are at home, and breakfast was relaxed, with the conversation free-flowing. After check-out, you are sent home with a care-package and a good sense that you had a vacation.