A Review of 10 Fitch Bed and Breakfast in Auburn, New York

I had the opportunity to spend four days alone at 10 Fitch in Auburn, New York. The Inn boasts 3 exquisitely decorated suites - The English Suite, Gardenview Suite and Equestrian Suite. Because I stayed during the off season and mid-week, the innkeeper, Katie Hess, was able to show me the two suites I wasn't staying in, and I realized the English Suite was even more grand then the Equestrian.

The English suite offers 14-foot vaulted ceilings, décor that will make you believe you've been transported to the UK countryside, and a bathroom that would certainly be any woman's most treasured delight, with its claw-footed freestanding tub, chandelier, vanity and Euro shower.

The Gardenview Suite is decorated in an exhilarating color scheme with light to mint green and pale auburn. The bed is finely-detailed 1800's iron with a feather topper. There is also a plasma t.v. (in case you want to move into modern day). The bathroom, which is private, is not adjacent to Gardenview Suite, but across the hall, not a problem however. It is full marble and equipped with a Euro rainshower as well as interesting antiques.

I stayed in the Equestrian Suite. It is, as you would imagine, decorated with an elegant equestrian theme. There are three separate rooms as part of this suite, with a sitting room complete with fireplace and sofa, chairs and game table. The bathroom is within the suite, and is equipped with a Euro shower as well.

The inn is impeccably decorated with fine antiques and tasteful, luxurious linens. The owner, Katie Hess, is a charming, personable woman who helped make my stay quite pleasant. Every afternoon I was treated to delicious appetizers and wine (that at the time was free for me to refill at my own discretion!). Katie made my world-class breakfast every morning, served in the distinguished formal dining room.

Auburn New York is not especially known for it's abundance of activities, but there are a few historic places of note. The Harriet Tubman home, the William Seward house and several wineries are well within a short drive of the inn. Skaneateles is a fifteen-minute drive down the main road, where you can enjoy fine dining and a beautiful view of Skaneateles Lake.

This B&B is well worth the price (if you can afford it!), and since it is fairly expensive, I would suggest trying to go during the off-season. One might think with all of this elegance and style the owners may have lost touch with reality, not so. I especially enjoyed playing with the resident hound, a lovable black labrador named appropriately, Fitch.