Incredible food & hospitality await you at the 1897 Beekman House in the Finger Lakes

One of my best pieces of travel advice is to tell people to stay at inns and bed & breakfasts as much as possible. Avoid the chain hotels whenever you can. Because bed & breakfasts are full of charm. Hospitality. History. And usually some truly delicious food. Plus you get the perfect chance to chat with the owners to learn about local hidden gems. So I’ve stayed at several inns throughout my travels. Some haunted. Historic. Always charming. But one of the absolute best bed & breakfasts I’ve ever stayed at? The 1897 Beekman House in the Finger Lakes. From the incredible owners to the beautiful decor, the scrumptious breakfasts to the friendliest inn dog, staying here felt like coming home.

The history of the 1897 Beekman House

The bed & breakfast is located in Dundee, about halfway between Penn Yan and Watkins Glen on the western side of Seneca Lake. As the name suggests, the house was first built in 1897. The original owner, T. DeWitt “TD” Beekman was the local bank president and prominent resident of Dundee. Over the years the house changed hands, but served as a family home util the 21st century.

In 2001 the owners at the time were the first to convert it into a bed and breakfast. But throughout all the years and all the owners, the house has maintained its history and architectural beauty. Intricate woodworking, spacious rooms, and an inviting atmosphere continue to resonate throughout the halls. As inn owners changed, the property held multiple names, including “Twin Pines” and “Maple View”.

When the current owners, Greg & Lilly DeForest-Campbell took over the bed and breakfast in 2021, they reverted back to its historic name, 1897 Beekman House.

About the owners: Lilly & Greg DeForest-Campbell

Lilly & Greg’s story starts like many other inn owners in the Finger Lakes. They were big city transplants. From the biggest of the big cities: New York. There they spent years working in the restaurant industry and became certified sommeliers. So what better place to relocate to than the wine region of the Finger Lakes?

At the bed & breakfast, Greg typically handles the cooking while Lilly does the baking. But regardless of who makes what, every single thing they make is out of this world. I’ve had their food for breakfast at the b&b and also catered at events. It’s always incredible.

Of course there is one other family member that deserves recognition: Lola, the German Shepherd. This old gal is the official inn greeter, and it is a requirement that you toss a toy and give her some pets. (I say this in jest, because if you do have dog allergies, Lola will be kept out of the guest areas.)

As true advocates for the Finger Lakes region, Greg & Lilly are more than happy to give guests advice on the best wineries, breweries, and restaurants in the area. Or they may sit down and play a board game with you in the family room. Honestly, when we stayed at the bed & breakfast, it immediately felt like they were friends we’d known for years.

Staying at the 1897 Beekman House

Guest Rooms

There are five guest rooms at the bed & breakfast, each with a private bathroom. Four of them are named based on the styles of furniture and decor in them with a nod to the original owners. A sage green retreat with a bold, navy and white bathroom, the cottage room features an antique bed, rocking chair, and a clawfoot tub. As a room fit for a queen, the empress room is bathed in a deep red with gold, Victorian-era decor including a four-poster canopy bed. The French room features – you guessed it – antique French furniture. It also has some of the more luxurious features, including a cameo headboard, canopy crown over the bed, a marble fireplace, and a Jacuzzi tub. The royal room is named as such because it is the largest of the suites, having been the original master bedroom of the house. Golden walls shine against the English manor-style furniture and king-sized bed.

The last room was where we stayed. Named in honor of the last surviving member of the Beekman family to live in the house, Isadora’s room was warm and inviting. With walls painted in robin’s egg blue, the room has an antique writing desk and cherrywood bed with a canopy crown. Two needlepoint chairs sit by a small table in front of the windows that bow out over Main Street.

Despite being steeped in history and antique furniture, the bed & breakfast still offers many modern amenities. Wifi is available through the house. A collection of custom stoneware mugs and a coffee maker sit on the main landing for the stairs. And a small selection of board games are available for guests to play in the family room.

Breakfast

When you arrive at the bed & breakfast, you’ll find a breakfast menu waiting for you in your room. The menu offers two options for your morning entrée, typically one savory and one sweet. Meals include fresh fruit and their famous oversized cinnamon rolls. You’ll also be able to choose your beverage and preferred dining time, 8am or 9:30.

Months later and I still find myself thinking about the French toast I had that morning. My stuffed French toast was made from homemade challah bread, stuffed with apples, and topped with local honey and whipped sour cream. The finishing touch was that Lilly cut it into a heart. To say I was obsessed would be an understatement. It also came with a side of applewood-smoked bacon.

The Beekman House is also one of the only bed and breakfasts in the Finger Lakes that allows one-night reservations. So if you can’t afford to get away for two or more nights – due to work, family, or financial obligations – this place is the perfect option.

While staying at the 1897 Beekman House, visit these nearby breweries and wineries.