Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa Unveils The Farmhouse, Its First Five Star Accommodation
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa, the acclaimed lakeside retreat in the village of Aurora, New York, has opened the Farmhouse, its most luxurious and wellness-forward accommodation to date. Originally built in 1835 and fully reimagined by global design firm Hart Howerton, whom previously designed the property's spa, the Farmhouse is a meticulous restoration that honors the building's character and craftsmanship. Complementing the heritage structure, a thoughtfully designed contemporary addition was introduced to house modern suites designed with the outdoors in mind. As the sixth addition to the resort's collection of impeccable inns, the Farmhouse blends the relaxed pace of bucolic living with refined design and immersive renewal experiences, marking the next chapter of luxury hospitality in the Finger Lakes.
The Farmhouse is the resort's first accommodation to be located off Main Street, intentionally adjacent to the award-winning Spa at the Inns of Aurora, creating a wellness retreat with 10 spacious guest rooms and suites alongside stand-out communal areas. Its most notable feature is the dedicated treatment room with an exclusive menu of curated spa and wellbeing experiences—referred to as Farmhouse Rituals—solely available to Farmhouse guests. The treatment room will serve as an extension of the Spa, bringing the resort's most transformative therapies directly into the Farmhouse.
Spaces Meant for Gathering and Lingering
Guests begin their Farmhouse journey on the restored columned porch, stepping into a storied front hall painted in soft blue. The grand staircase serves as the focal point, illuminated by warm lighting and accented with subtle, refined touches of red. Throughout the entry area, original details have been preserved by Hart Howerton, from the antique doorbell and stained-glass window crowning the staircase to the handcrafted casework. A powder room introduces a hint of drama, enveloped in deep, saturated hues and adorned with vintage-inspired fixtures that honor the home's storied past. Art, too, defines the character of the Farmhouse. Drawn from the personal collection of founder Pleasant T. Rowland, more than 30 works by notable modern artists including Wolf Kahn, William Bailey, Phillip Mullen, Pierre Lesieur, and Deloss McGraw are hung throughout, creating moments of discovery and quiet contemplation.
A moody study offers a retreat where guests can pause for mindful moments or focus on work. Above the fireplace hangs the first of two Wolf Kahn works on display at the Farmhouse, Xmas Tree Hill, a serene landscape in soft greens and violets. Floor-to-ceiling shelves hold a wellness library, while a writing desk is stocked with bespoke stationery, inviting guests to reflect and write notes to loved ones. Across the hall, the parlor unfolds as an inviting space designed to bring guests together. A sculptural chandelier and the striking large-scale artwork Red Tiles by Phillip Mullen anchor the room, which overlooks pastoral views and reflects the inn's signature style.
The dining room stands at the heart of the inn, embodying the Farmhouse's connection to the land with design elements that reflect garden motifs. Hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper wraps the walls, each panel depicting fruit trees in bloom, transforming the space to feel like a garden is growing within. Overhead, a delicately painted ceiling and the warm glow of soft lighting complement the second Wolf Kahn painting, an orange-toned piece above the fireplace titled Orange Maples. The same hue is echoed in the dining chairs surrounding the large table with seating for up to twelve, creating a cohesive sense of warmth. A stone-topped buffet dresses the wall, while a discreet butler's closet, outfitted with Pampadour-style Bernardaud China makes the room ideally suited for intimate gatherings and private dinners.
Pocket doors open into a charming kitchen with countryside charm. Cool steel-blue cabinetry and casual seating create an inviting setting for informal gatherings and a morning cup of coffee. For those who reserve the entirety of the Farmhouse for private stays, the kitchen can host chef experiences, including show-stopping dinners, intimate tasting menus, or hands-on cooking sessions that highlight local ingredients and seasonal flavors. This combination of everyday comfort and elevated dining ensures the kitchen is both a welcoming space and a stage for unforgettable culinary moments.
Moving outside the property is an inviting courtyard, creating a tranquil gathering space with native plantings and natural stone elements. Constructed as a peaceful bridge between the Farmhouse's original front and its rear wing, this quiet space elegantly connects past and present through the language of landscape. Hickory and black walnut trees cast gentle shade across the courtyard's bluestone patio, furnished with a cozy sectional sofa and intimate café tables. Guests can also enjoy a separate outdoor firepit space in the evenings.
An Intimate Collection of Guest Rooms & Suites
The Farmhouse features 10 distinctive accommodations, carefully divided between the restored home and a new wing. Two Premier Rooms on the second floor of the home offer sweeping countryside views through sun-filled windows. Textured blue wallpaper, hardwood floors layered with plush rugs, and fabrics inspired by classic suiting-tweed create a polished, inviting atmosphere, while custom king beds, settees, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and five-fixture marble baths provide moments of indulgence. Perched on the upper levels, the two Junior Suites offer vaulted ceilings and verdant views that evoke a sense of being nestled among the trees. A calming green palette and dedicated seating areas for reading or enjoying coffee or a glass of wine create a serene, restorative ambiance. Bathrooms with heated, intricately patterned marble floors and deep soaking tubs invite quiet reflection and relaxation.
As guests move deeper into the Farmhouse, they enter the contemporary wing through a sunlit hallway lined with expansive windows that blend indoors and outdoors. Its design subtly echoes the nearby Spa, reinforcing a cohesive, calming aesthetic. The six Meadow Studios feature indoor entryways that resemble welcoming front porches and lead into "shed-the-day" alcoves—entry spaces for guests to pause, unwind, and leave their shoes and jackets and the stresses of the day behind before entering the main room. Stepping further inside, dramatic 19-foot ceilings open up over the main sleeping and living area, creating a sense of spaciousness. Giant windows frame the meadows beyond and open onto private patios, each furnished with comfortable seating for lounging. The patios provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding fields and landscape, extending the indoor living experience outdoors and creating a serene spot to take in the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes.
Wellness Curated for Farmhouse Guests
Reserved exclusively for Farmhouse guests, a private treatment room at the Farmhouse serves as the setting for the resort's most deeply restorative treatments, known collectively as Farmhouse Rituals. The treatment room acts as an extension of the award-winning Spa, bringing the resort's most transformative therapies directly into the Farmhouse for a seamless, in-inn wellness experience. These signature therapies are designed to nurture the body, soothe the mind, and restore energy, including intensely hydrating experiences like the Nourishing Manuka Honey Drench, nature-inspired journeys such as the Back to Nature Ritual, and sensory escapes like the Moonflower Sleep Ritual. For targeted relief, the Ultimate CBD Relief Journey combines mineral-rich exfoliation, detoxifying masks, CBD-infused oils, and a full-body massage, while the advanced Hyper-Customized Facial powered by Biologique Recherche delivers personalized cleansing, sculpting, and brightening for visibly renewed skin.
The room itself is designed to foster deep relaxation and tranquility, featuring a soothing color palette, minimal visual distractions, and an adjoining wet room created with equal intention. Natural light filters through a suspended mirror, maintaining privacy while creating a serene, luminous atmosphere.
All Farmhouse Rituals include priority access to the resort's full Spa, where guests can continue their restorative journey with hydrotherapy pools, saunas, and additional Biologique Recherche therapies. The Inns of Aurora is the only destination in the Finger Lakes to offer these renowned Biologique Recherche treatments, celebrated worldwide for their precision and transformative results. By integrating these highly curated therapies into the Farmhouse, the property elevates in-inn wellbeing to a level of unparalleled exclusivity, creating a sanctuary where luxury and holistic care converge.
Access to the Inns of Aurora's Premier Amenities
Perfectly situated on the edge of Cayuga Lake across 350-acres, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and restorative energy of the Finger Lakes. From sunrise yoga to kayaking excursions, archery lessons, and chef's table dinners at Aurora Cooks!, there's always something waiting to enrich a stay in Aurora. Guests can savor the resort's acclaimed dining, from farm-to-table fare at 1833 Kitchen & Bar to seasonal menus at Fargo Bar & Grill, each highlighting local ingredients. The expansive nature preserve offers winding woodland trails ideal for mindful walks, forest bathing, or birdwatching, while the Schoolhouse serves as a hub for hands-on classes and self-care programs, including yoga, and sound journeys. Each experience is designed to deepen guests' connection to the surroundings while fostering creativity and mindfulness.
Blending immersive experiences and thoughtful amenities, the Farmhouse provides both a peaceful retreat and an ideal venue for private buyouts and memorable gatherings. The debut of the Farmhouse ushers in a new chapter for the resort, cementing the Inns of Aurora as the ultimate destination for refined retreats, romantic getaways, and elevated wellbeing in the Finger Lakes. The Farmhouse now stands alongside five other beautifully restored properties that comprise the Inns of Aurora: the Aurora Inn (1833), E.B. Morgan House (1858), Rowland House (1903), Zabriskie House (1904), Wallcourt Hall (1909) and the meeting space at Taylor House (1838). Since 2001, each home has been restored under the vision of Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa, Wells College alumna and noted philanthropist, educator, and creator of American Girl.