The Lake House On Canandaigua

The Lake House on Canandaigua resort is a lakeside destination for relaxation in the Finger Lakes region of New York

In planning my hotel stay after exploring Watkins Glen State Park, I knew I didn’t want a long drive to my next destination. I wanted a place that offered a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere where I could unwind without going too far out of my way. I began my search by exploring various hotels in the area, each with its own appeal. Eventually, I found myself browsing through Hyatt properties, hoping to find something a bit unique and memorable. That’s when The Lake House on Canandaigua caught my attention—a property with the distinct “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” designation, which piqued my curiosity immediately.

I’d heard of Mr. and Mrs. Smith properties before, known for their boutique style and thoughtful design, but I’d never actually stayed at one. The photos of The Lake House On Canandaigua were captivating, showcasing a blend of modern elegance and lakeside charm, and it seemed to promise a unique experience beyond the typical hotel stay. The idea of settling into this beautiful setting after a long, adventure-filled day at the park made the decision easy. With growing anticipation, I booked my stay.

To be honest, I was more than just curious—I was genuinely excited. The Lake House promised something different, something a bit more special than the standard hotel experience. It felt like a destination in itself, a place where I could look forward not just to rest but to experiencing an entirely new ambiance. As I confirmed my reservation, I found myself already imagining the lakeside views, the relaxed yet refined atmosphere, and the chance to explore the spaces of a property with a unique touch. This was shaping up to be more than just a place to sleep; it was about to become an extension of my journey.

Check In + First Impressions

After the intimate experience of staying at The Maker Hotel in Hudson, arriving at The Lake House on Canandaigua required a bit of a mental shift. While The Lake House offers all the standard amenities of a larger hotel, the transition felt less personal than I’d hoped. Unlike The Maker’s unique and bespoke feel, The Lake House struck me as slightly more impersonal, even by typical larger hotel standards. It was like it had a pretty facade – but lacked the service follow up behind it.

The check-in experience, for example, set the tone. During check in, my staff attendant asked, somewhat flatly, if I was part of a corporate meeting group staying on the property. “No,” I replied, mildly taken aback. I had no idea why that would matter.

She nodded, her attention returning to the screen with a few more clicks. There was no follow-up or welcoming conversation; it felt like I was simply another name on her reservation list.

It was, in a word, different. The contrast between this experience and the warmth I’d experienced at The Maker was striking. Where The Maker made every effort to personalize each moment, The Lake House seemed more transactional—efficient but distant. While I knew larger hotels come with their own challenges and different priorities, this check-in felt like a sharp departure from the tailored, engaging hospitality I had grown accustomed to at The Maker. It was as if I’d stepped from a carefully crafted experience into a more generic, less thoughtful environment—a reminder of how profound the difference can be between boutique and mainstream stays.

 

Room + Stay

Happily, I was placed into a room in the main building. Opening the door to my room, I was pleased.

I really appreciated the spaciousness of the bathroom, which gave a sense of comfort. Especially with the layout featuring a separate WC. The room was thoughtfully designed, allowing for a smooth flow between areas, which added to the sense of luxury.

However, one detail didn’t quite resonate with me: the choice of brass for the water fixtures. While brass undeniably has a certain timeless elegance, I find that over time it tends to tarnish, developing a greenish patina that, to me, detracts from the polished look.

I was delighted to notice the bottle of Ruffino Lumina Prosecco from Veneto in Northern Italy, placed on the work area as a welcome gift.

In the early morning, I took a leisurely stroll around the property, breathing in the fresh air and letting the quiet of dawn settle over me. The entire landscape seemed to come alive under the gentle glow of the morning light, revealing details I hadn’t noticed before. The long shadows played beautifully on the ground.

Eventually, I made my way to a cozy Adirondack chair by the water’s edge. I sunk into it with a deep sigh of contentment and appreciation.  I watched the lake stretch out before me, reflecting the colors of the sky and took a deep breath.

It felt good.

The  Issues

The Wifi Issue

The main issue I have with this hotel is the WiFi. Yes, the WiFi is open and you don’t need a password to use it. However, there was one instance that I attempted to visit a website and the WiFi filter blocked it. Which was truly odd. Another time, I had such a difficult time getting online that I almost simply gave up. It wasn’t until I had to disable private web blocking that I was able to make a stable connection. It was strange to feel censored at a place I was paying to stay at. But, at least the internet eventually finally worked.

The Hyatt Issue: Is this a Mr and Mrs Smith property or not?

When I arrived and asked about the Hyatt amenity for my level of membership, the person that checked me in said that it was the bottle of Prosecco in the room. However, the next morning I took a stroll around the property. After which, I asked the front desk again about the additional Mr. & Mrs Smith additional amenity I was supposed to received. She responded that she knew nothing about the Mr. and Mrs Smith designation within Hyatt and mentioned their LXR benefit – which is a keychain. A cute keychain. But, still a keychain.

I would think that all staff would know exactly what hotel chains they are a part of. But, apparently – that would be too much of an effort.

I actually had to call Hyatt to clarify exactly what I was due. In short, yes – hotel’s under the Mr and Mrs Smith properties can be booked through Hyatt and you can use Hyatt points to book rooms. However, they are independently owned and operated – and you don’t received Hyatt member level benefits. So, the only benefit with having a Mr. & Mrs Smith as part of the Hyatt portfolio is that you can you your Hyatt points to book a stay.

Overall

Overall, the property of The Lake House on Canandaigua is beautiful. But, I feel I would be bored if I stayed here another night. As I visited in autumn, I imagine activity on the lake would be completely different in the summertime.

On the other hand, for being close to Rochester and using Hyatt points for this stay – I will say that it’s was a pleasant time.

I think I fully expected this hotel to be as expansive and beautiful as Carmel Valley Ranch, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. And yes, it is pretty to look at. But it’s from the perspective of tastefully done with mass appeal.

And if that’s what you’re looking for, that’s perfectly fine.

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