CANANDAIGUA, NY – Imagine leaving the hustle and bustle of New York City on the ground and soaring into the Finger Lakes, with its rolling hills, beautiful lake waters shining like jewels in the autumn sunlight and topping it off, the beautiful reds and oranges and vibrant yellows of October come peak fall foliage time.
Why, it’s a pretty unforgettable experience for anyone, said Claire Wysokowski, who handles marketing and communications for the Lake House on Canandaigua, the luxury hotel on Canandaigua Lake.
And then, destination in sight and your seaplane lands on the lake waters, you’re dropped off right at the hotel’s doors, where you’ll be greeted with a bottle of a Finger Lakes wine and locally sourced charcuterie board.
“It’s a pretty wonderful entrance to Canandaigua and the Lake House,” Wysokowski said.
Starting now and through the end of November, weather permitting, the Lake House is offering stays at the 124-room hotel and 90-minute trips from the Big Apple to the Chosen Spot, as Canandaigua is often referred to, aboard a seaplane.
Here’s how the Lake House seaplane package works
The Lake House is partnering with Tropic Ocean Airways, which operates out of New York City and has operations in the Bahamas as well as a few other locations.
The company provides transportation and a seaplane, which seats up to eight people, and includes accommodations for pets and luggage.
The cost is $16,500.
The 226-mile flight boards from a dock on the East River at the New York Skyports Seaplane base on East 23rd Street between Waterside Plaza and Stuyvesant Cove Park and lands at the Lake House.
In addition to the lovely views of the Finger Lakes, some fliers also may experience the big city from a different vantage point.
“You’re going to get an aerial tour of New York City and downtown Manhattan, and that has to be one of the top ten views in the world right there,” Wysokowski said.
Of course, the view of the Finger Lakes is nothing to scoff at, either.
“It doesn’t get any better than the Finger Lakes during the fall peak,” Wysokowski said.
Welcome to Canandaigua and the Lake House, New York City
The Lake House is interested in New York City, and the feeling apparently is reciprocal.
Nearly 10,000 online visitors from New York City visit the hotel’s website, so it’s a target market for the hotel, Wysokowski said.
Lake House guests have already flown in on private seaplanes, drawing a crowd of other guests who love looking out or coming out on the front lawn in greeting, Wysokowski said. So if you don’t own your own seaplane, this could be the next best thing.
“It’s a big to-do,” Wysokowski said. “If some guests are already doing this, let’s throw something together ourselves.”
The Finger Lakes Visitors Connection team is excited to hear of this new opportunity offered by the Lake House, one of the Ontario County tourism promotion agency’s great hospitality partners, said Tracey Burkey, vice president of the agency.
“This creative package will bring visitors to our area which generates more business for our community,” Burkey stated. “The unique experience, which visitors crave, will enhance our destination appeal and generate exciting and positive awareness of our beautiful area.”
Logistics
Lake House brass actually had this idea on their radar right around when the hotel opened in 2020, but decided to concentrate on that task − as well as the other amenities offered here, including event barn, a pool and year-round hot tub, the Willowbrook Spa, boardwalk by the lake near its property and Rose Tavern restaurant and Sand Bar, the Lake House’s modernized version of the lake’s legendary tiki bar.
The Lake House plans to offer this package again in the spring, with the hope of offering the service to groups − picture this as part of a memorable wedding experience − or to seal the deal at high-end corporate meetings.
When accommodations are booked at the Lake House, guests must then call Tropic Ocean Airways at 954-210-5569 or email reservations@flytropic.com to confirm flight details.
To learn more about the package and to book a stay, visit www.lakehousecanandaigua.com.
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