Mirbeau Inn & Spa :

Surprise: No Snow, No Problem in Syracuse, Skaneateles

It makes sense to me now why the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau decided to go with “We’ll Surprise You” as their marketing tagline.

Since I returned from my trip to the region (early March), people have been raising their eyebrows at my words of praise. When I tell them I had a fantastic time, they’re confused. “What’s there to do up there? Were you cold? Could you find a good restaurant?” As the questions roll out, all I do is smile.

Known for being the snowiest city in America, the destination may not look sexy to someone driving through or glancing at pictures on the Internet. But this is why I got into travel writing – to show people the beauty they’re overlooking – and my stay in Syracuse ended up being one of the most well-rounded romantic weekend getaways in recent memory.

Compromise: A Rounded, Romantic Weekend Both Can Agree On
From spas to sports, the city that sits at the northern edge of the Finger Lake region is a compromise waiting to happen, boasting plenty of appeal to both men and women (I had a massage and some wine on Friday, attended a basketball game and had dinner/cocktails downtown on Saturday, and had top-flight barbecue and beer on Sunday).

The peaceful lakes, proximity to downtown Syracuse (half hour), and half-day driving distance from the Northeast cities (5.5 hours from Boston, 4-5 from Philadelphia and NYC) make it a reasonable, dynamic, and affordable weekend getaway. Take a full or half day off on Friday and plan to arrive in Skaneateles before sunset.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Skaneateles
Skaneateles (Skan-ee-atlas) is a small Finger Lake town about a half hour outside of Syracuse, centered around Skaneateles Lake, the cleanest of the Finger Lakes (remember that for later). Summertime brings dinner cruises, swimming, and recreational boating upon its waters, the northern end spearheading the shops and restaurants of the main drag in town.

Less than a mile away is the Mirbeau Inn & Spa, which advertises itself as “The Perfect Romantic Getaway,” offering lagoon-side rooms and a policy that allows you to walk around the hotel in your robe up until dinnertime. I fully took advantage of this privilege – why wouldn’t you – and after receiving a Swedish massage in the spa, I sat by the fireplace in my room and watched the light of the day fade, my view of the pond and the bridge and the gardens slowly giving way to the flames reflecting in the window.

At breakfast the next morning the waitress addressed me by name – a good example of the small-town kindness you receive – and after I donned the robe once more and went for another round in the spa. This time I took a dip in the Aqua Terrace, an outdoor hot tub area. This part of the spa, along with the Eucalyptus steam room and sauna, are accessible to all guests of Mirbeau (even without purchasing a treatment).  I found the Aqua Terrace to be a great place to cheers over a bottle of local wine, and there just so happens to be a winery around the corner. 

For rates, availability, and information on the Mirbeau Inn and Spa, visit Mirbeau.com.

Wine Tasting: Anyela’s Vines Emerge as Spring Approaches
Anyela’s Vineyard is a five-minute drive from Mirbeau and is the only game in town as far as wineries go, mostly due to the high elevation and tough growing climate. To survive winter, Anyela’s must bury all their vines during the winter months, a price they pay for being at a higher elevation than the wineries along Seneca and Keuka Lakes. You don’t even have to meet the owner (Jim) to understand his passion – I think the fact that he goes through all the trouble of burying the vines speaks volumes – however I did have the pleasure of sharing a glass with him on my visit. Ask him to show you around when you’re there – he is about to break ground on some major additions, including a new tasting room.

While white wine (specifically Riesling) is the claim to fame in Upstate New York, a few of Anyela’s reds also impressed – don’t be shy about trying them. The Overlay Verse 4 is a great dinner-table bottle, and the Noiret is a very interesting wine, given that it’s made from a hybrid grape developed by researchers of Cornell University (it has a “peppery” taste, not to be confused with “spicy”). Visit anyelasvineyards.com for more information. 

For those that prefer to stay in their robes, Mirbeau Inn has a beautiful wine bar, complete with stations ....