Rose Inn, Ithaca

I've waited ten years to write this review. In the interim, the place burned down, has been rebuilt and was taken over by new owners. This is a word of caution though to anybody thinking of having their wedding or wedding reception there, in case they have not changed their staffing policies or procedures. My husband and I rented their carriage house for a reception dinner after my wedding. The location is beautiful and the carriage house was amazingly atmospheric, and the food was outstanding. My guests LOVED the place. However, for some reason, the wait staff kept clearing half-empty wine bottles and glasses off of the tables without asking my guests if they had finished drinking. Everyone kept asking where their wine glass had gone, and by the end of the night my husband was handed a bill for an extra $2000 above what we had originally given them for the alcohol tab. Needless to say, that $2000 basically wiped out any extra cash we had (and savings) - we were poor students at the time and trying to save for a new car - and I spent the night sobbing in the hotel room. Also, they hotel manager charged us $2 per person for a cake-cutting fee, which amounted to a whopping $300 for us. When it came time to cut the cake, at around 9 pm, my husband and I could find no wait staff around to cut it for us - everyone seemed to have disappeared. We ended up running around behind the scenes, finally found one person washing dishes in their kitchen, and begged that person to cut the cake for us. They cut about 20 pieces then left the knife by the side of the cake for guests to do it themselves. My guests all had a good time, but I basically felt like we had been treated like crap. I hope that the management has changed since then, and that the new owners are taking a little more pride in their work. This place has horrible memories for me.

Our stay at the Rose Inn (12 years ago) was one never to forget. My wife and I stayed there as my anniversery present to her. We had traveled to New York City many times but never the countryside. The night of our anniversery we enjoyed dinner in the front hall. It was sunset and you could here the cows in the background. I presented a gold bracelet to my wife that evening that brings a smile to my face whenever I see her wearing it. Though we are divorced now we still enjoy that memory together. I very much wish the best for the couple in restoring the Inn. Recently having a fire in my own historical home I understand how difficult it can be.

My fiancee surprised me with the inn on our way to Canada! It was just breathtaking -- everything from the place itself, the service, etc. I am deeply saddened to hear it burned down. We wanted to get away for a special trip and picked the Rose Inn. Now it cannot be.