Holiday Valley Resort: A Great Place to Vacation in Ellicotville

Holiday Valley Resort and Conference Center has been around for over fifty years, offering a four season playground for visitors to the Ellicotville area, 45 minutes south of Buffalo, New York. Located in the very popular Ellicotville, Holiday Valley Resort is a great place to stay while in town for skiing, vacationing, or visiting one of the many Ellicotville festivals and events.

The Inn at Holiday Valley Resort
The Inn at Holiday Valley Resort offers rooms and suites starting at about $109 off season. Set at the base of the ski hills, the Inn at Holiday Valley Resort offers some great views for guests facing the ski hills. Next door to the Inn at Holiday Valley is the newest Holiday Valley Resort addition, the Tamarack Club. This resort is brand new and offers a number of hot tubs and pools for guests to enjoy, as well as John Harvard's Brew House and a spa. Holiday Valley Resort also offers larger, condo rentals for large parties.

During the warmer months, guests can enjoy the Double Black Diamond 18-hole golf course at Holiday Valley. Winter is ski season at Holiday Valley, and there are 56 slopes, trails, and plenty of ski lifts for skiers to enjoy.

The Holiday Valley Resort Experience
The Inn at Holiday Valley was a great choice for visiting Ellicotville for Harvestfest weekend. Holiday Valley Resort was located right off of Route 219 and a short walk from the village of Ellicotville. The front desk staff were welcoming and friendly and the room was ready at 2 pm when we arrived. We were given 2 buy one, get one free appetizer coupons for John Harvard's Brew House, the bar and restaurant located next door at the new Tamarack Club, also part of Holiday Valley Resort.

The room was better than expected, and for $119, we were given a beautiful view of the golf course and ski hills out back. The balcony was a nice spot for morning coffee and the view of changing leaves on the trees in the distance was perfect for a Fall day. The room seemed larger than the average hotel room, with a large closet, ski bench area near the entrance, and a seperate shower and vanity area. The room was also very clean and bright, allowing the sun to shine in through the sliding glass patio doors to the balcony.

One of the best perks at Holiday Valley Resort is undoubtedly the hot tub, sauna and the year round indoor/outdoor pool. The hot tub was very enjoyable after an evening in Ellicotville and the changing room and showers were very helpful the next day when we wanted to get one last hot tub visit in before leaving. The front desk provided a day pass after we checked out so we could use the pool and hot tub. A small bar, located in the main lodge, was convenient for a late evening drink.

Another highlight of the visit to Holiday Valley Resort was the beer flight experience at John Harvards's Brew House (located at the Tamarack Club next door). The beer flight consisted of a choice of five drafts from a menu of 24 different craft beer choices. Locally brewed beers, imports, and domestic beers were available as choices. The $8 beer flight was a great way to try the Ellicotville Brewing Company Blueberry Wheat and a pumpkin tasting beer recommended by the server. The appetizers were large and so delicious that we returned for lunch the next day.

Local Activiities and Places to Visit
Holiday Valley Resort is one of the best places to stay for anytime during ski season. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are the favorite winter sports in the area. The town of Ellicotville is a short mile from Holiday Valley and offers a number of bars, pubs, and restaurants for visitors. Ellicotville Brewing Company is a good choice for beer lovers. Allegany State Park is only about a 20 minute drive, and the Seneca Allegany Casino is 11 miles from Holiday Valley, in Salamanca, New York. Amish country is also nearby for those who want to try some homemade Amish treats or shop for handmade furniture.

Reservations and More Information

Reservations can be made online at www.holidayvalley.com or by calling (716)699-2345. Seasonal packages, as well as room only accomodations are available. Holiday Valley Resort is located at Route 219, Ellicotville, NY 14731. Visitors from the Buffalo area can reach Holiday Valley Resort by taking Route 219 through Springville, heading south.