A Visit to Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York

How many times can you honestly say you felt swept away? When was the last time you felt like you were living a page torn from some storybook fantasy? Take a visit to Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York and you'll feel all that and more!

I'd heard there was a castle not far from the city of Rochester, New York and nestled somewhere in Finger Lakes Region. Whether it was castle like I'd seen and visited in Europe or whether it was someone's modern vision of the same was enough to pique my interest.

And yet there it was: Belhurst Castle is seamlessly integrated along the coast of Seneca Lake and sits comfortably alongside many other Victorian properties from Geneva's golden age. The fact that a castle stands just minutes from downtown center of historic Geneva and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places just adds to the allure of this lakeside retreat.

Long Ago and Far Away

Construction of Belhurst Castle took four years (1885 - 1889) and according to its website, all the materials used to build and furnish the Castle were imported to Geneva from Europe and other locations abroad. The property that surrounds Belhurst Castle was originally the site of a Seneca Indian village and home to the Council of the Six Nations of Iroquois. In other words, this is an old property! In the early 18th century, the land was originally purchased by two 18th century land developers and began it's transformation to we now see and enjoy today.

Since then the castle has changed hands many times and today it stands as a combination hotel-spa-restaurant.

Victorian is In

To be honest, the term "castle" is kind of misleading. Belhurst Castle doesn't really seem like a castle per se. But then my frame of reference is every castle I've ever seen and/or visited in Europe. But why get caught up in the little things. My wife and I found ourselves enjoying the Belhurst Castle on a recent midweek getaway. The Castle offers 14 luxurious rooms, each with a different name and theme. Most with a lakefront view.

The adjoining Whitesprings Manor offers 13 more rooms and the spacious Vinifera offers two one-of-a-kind mega-suites that will surpass your wildest fantasy.

The interior design is one of lost aristocracy I suppose. High arched ceilings compliment stone work and design that you just don't find anymore. Plush carpets and original antique furnishings kept me thinking that maybe King Henry the VIII or someone similar would be popping in for a visit.

Just Relax

The Isabella Spa and Salon shares the ground floor of the Belhurst Castle and offers a range of massage and other spa treatments. Meanwhile, inside the castle you'll find two restaurants, a huge fireplace, a gift shop and lots of room to relax and recharge. In addition there are two restaurants - Edgars and Stonecutters - and each offers and a great selection of main courses and desserts. What is especially attractive is that visitors can enjoy the restaurants and spa without actually staying at the hotel.

So What are You Waiting for?

In the Fall of 2003, expansion began on the Belhurst property with the construction of a 30,000 square-foot facility adjoining the 1880's Belhurst Castle. The addition includes a luxury hotel named the Vinifera Inn, a spectacular ballroom named the Meritage Ballroom, a bar/lounge named Stonecutters, and a retail shop / wine tasting room for visitors to sample Belhurst's very own award-winning wine.

Belhurst Castle offers all the amenities that make it a perfect escape. With historic Geneva and Seneca Lake just minutes away there's plenty to do and see.