You’ve probably seen the pictures. That big, blue-shingled building sitting right at the tip of Skaneateles Lake like a silent sentry. People call it the "Grande Dame" of the Finger Lakes, and honestly, it’s a title that fits. But if you think the Sherwood Inn Skaneateles NY is just another stuffy, overpriced historic hotel where you can’t touch the furniture, you’re missing the point entirely.
It’s actually kinda gritty in its history.
Most travelers pull up to the Genesee Street entrance expecting a polished, corporate experience. Instead, they get a building that has been everything from a stagecoach stop for a 300-pound magnate to a temporary hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. It’s seen a lot.
The Stagecoach Roots and a 300-Pound Founder
Back in 1807, Isaac Sherwood decided a dense cedar swamp was the perfect spot for a tavern. Isaac was a big guy—literally. Records suggest he weighed over 300 pounds, which was a massive frame for the early 19th century. He ran a prosperous stagecoach business, and this inn was his headquarters.
Think about that for a second.
Before there were luxury cars or even reliable trains, this was where the weary travelers of New York’s frontier came to shake the dust off. It wasn’t always called the Sherwood, though. It’s had more names than a witness in protection: Lamb’s Hotel, the Packwood House, the Kan-Ya-To Inn.
In 1871, John Packwood basically gutted the original structure. He spent $20,000—a fortune back then—to add the third floor and those iconic wings. If you’re staying there today, you’re mostly walking through Packwood’s vision, though the current name was restored in 1945 by Chester Coats. Why? Because during WWII, people kept calling it "that Japanese place" (Kan-Ya-To), and given the political climate of the 40s, Coats wanted something that sounded more "American."
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Staying at the Sherwood Inn Skaneateles NY: The Room Reality
Here’s the thing about old buildings: they have quirks.
The Sherwood has 25 guest rooms, and no two are identical. You won't find a cookie-cutter Marriott layout here. Some rooms have fireplaces that actually work. Others have whirlpool tubs that feel like a modern intrusion in a Victorian dream.
Room 23 is a favorite for many because it balances that queen bed/fireplace/whirlpool trifecta perfectly. But if you want the view—the reason you came to Skaneateles in the first place—you have to be specific. Ask for a front-facing room. You’ll wake up looking at the "Caribbean-blue" water of the lake, which, fun fact, is so clean it provides unfiltered drinking water to the city of Syracuse.
There is one catch. There’s no elevator.
If stairs aren't your friend, you better book the second floor and hope for the best. The third floor is a climb, especially if you’re hauling luggage.
The aesthetic is very "upscale hunting lodge meets grandma’s best parlor." We’re talking dark wood, floral wallpaper (the kind that’s actually tasteful), and Beekman 1802 toiletries from nearby Sharon Springs. It feels lived-in. It feels permanent.
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What to Actually Eat (Beyond the Pot Roast)
The dining room at the Sherwood Inn Skaneateles NY is a local institution. You’ll see families who have been coming here for three generations sitting next to tourists who just wandered in off a boat.
The Yankee Pot Roast is the famous one. It’s served with mashed potatoes and root vegetables, and it’s basically a hug in food form.
But honestly? The French Onion Soup is the secret winner.
It’s a thick, gooey melange of cheeses that you have to fight your way through to get to the broth-soaked bread. Jennifer Emilson, a well-known food writer, once noted that her husband’s face literally lit up when he cracked through that cheese crust. It’s that kind of meal.
If you want something lighter, go for the Scrod Christopher. It’s a flaky white fish with a cracker-crumb crust that has stayed on the menu for decades for a reason.
Pro Tip: Don't skip the Patisserie. It's the on-site bakery. They make something called "stretch bread"—a local CNY staple that is crispy on the outside and chewy enough to give your jaw a workout on the inside. Grab a loaf before you leave; it’s better than any souvenir keychain.
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The Tavern vs. The Dining Room
This is where people get confused.
The Dining Room is refined. It’s where you go for an anniversary or a "nice" dinner. The Tavern, however, is the soul of the place. It still uses the original 1807 bar area. It’s darker, louder, and arguably more fun.
The Tavern menu has the Black Angus Burger and the Turkey Bacon Melt (with cranberry mayo, which is weirdly addictive). If you’re staying in a room directly above the Tavern, be warned: it can get noisy on a Friday night. It’s the price you pay for being in the heart of the action.
When to Go and What to Do
Skaneateles is a seasonal beast.
- Summer: It’s peak. The lake is buzzing. You can rent the inn’s 1946 wooden Chris-Craft boat for a cruise. It’s expensive, but you’ll feel like an extra in a Gatsby movie.
- Fall: The foliage around the lake is ridiculous. This is also when the Seafood Festival usually hits (around September).
- Winter: Dickens Christmas. This is a big deal. The town goes full Victorian, with actors playing Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim roaming the streets. The Sherwood is the epicenter of this madness.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Sherwood Inn Skaneateles NY, don’t just wing it.
- Book at least 10 days out. Their cancellation policy is strict. If you cancel less than 10 days before arrival, you lose your deposit. During holidays, that window jumps to 30 days.
- Check the event calendar. They do "Jazz on the Lawn" in the summer and various wine dinners. You don't want to find out a cool event happened the day after you checked out.
- Walk across the street. Clift Park is right there. Walk the pier. It’s the best free view in the Finger Lakes.
- Mind the minimums. From May through New Year's, they usually require a two-night stay on weekends (Friday and Saturday).
The Sherwood Inn isn't trying to be a modern boutique hotel. It’s not trying to be a budget motel. It’s a 200-year-old survivor that happens to have really good pot roast and a view that hasn't changed much since the stagecoach days. If you go in expecting character rather than corporate perfection, you’ll probably never want to leave.
Next Steps for Your Trip
Check the current availability for front-facing lake-view rooms directly on their site, and if you're visiting during the winter, make sure to book your dining reservations at least three weeks in advance to coincide with the Dickens Christmas festivities.