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Athenaeum Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Local Flavor Restaurants American (Traditional) Hotels, Local Flavor, American (Traditional) [Edit]
4 south lake drChautauqua, NY 14722
(800) 821-1881
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4 reviews for Athenaeum Hotel
4 reviews in English
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Review from Marqus R.
5/10/2011
Yes, this is definitely as good as it gets. It's so good in fact that I am hard put to find proper words to describe it.
As a part of the great Chautauqua Institute, the Athenaeum Hotel, is one of the last big remaining wooden structure hotels in America and a true symbol of everything that was America back in the late 1880's.
Known as a "grand dame" of hotels it has served guests since 1881 and the best feature of it is that it really hasn't change all that much. A visit to the Athenaeum is truly a visit back in time, back to what was then a golden age of culture for which Chautauqua Institute holds an unchallenged reputation throughout the world. Just a casual walk through this hotel is an experience you will never forget. -
Review from Neil C.
Myrtle Beach, SC
3/15/2011 7 photos
One of the hidden jewels of Western New York!
And part of a hidden history of early 20th century Americanna that lives on, from wikipedia: "Chautauqua (pronounced /tkw/ sh-TAW-kw) is an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day.[1] Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America."
The Athenaeum hotel is the central lodging and wedding reception location providing couples a wonderful destination wedding reception with amazing victorian architecture and the charm of a few creeky floorboards. I have photographed more than 5 weddings at the Athenaeum Hotel and the food and service has always been excellent! Christine Hawkins is the coordinator there and she is friendly, and professional. -
Review from Oro O.
Burbank, CA
4/15/2007
I stayed at the Athenaeum Hotel for my cousin's wedding last year. The place is extremely relaxing, old, and beautiful. The history, atmosphere, people, lake, and antiques make this place worth visiting.
The elevator was definitely worth getting on if you get a chance to do so in the daytime. It's not any modern day elevator you see in the malls. It's one of those OOoooooooolllllld elevators where a person must manually operate it. It's like a free historic (magic mountain) ride in itself.
My relatives and I took our time walking around within the building. There are some rooms which looked really spooky or haunted. Don't take that comment the wrong way, this place is extremely safe because it's a small part of town where many academically motivated people meet for conferences! If you have extra time, come stay at this hotel and be prepared to be greeted by many friendly locals/visitors as you go out for a walk.Listed in: NY Spotlights
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Review from Preston J.
New York, NY
9/3/2008
I agree with the other review.
The hotel is HUGE, and has a lot of character to it (from the large lobby to manual elevator to the sloping floors in the long halls).
This hotel was one of if not the first hotel built with electricity, since Thomas Edison lived in a nearby house at the Chautauqua Institution.
Specialties
The historic Athenaeum Hotel operates as a full-service hotel and restaurant during the nine-week Chautauqua Season. Serving guests in style since 1881, this Victorian treasure continues the tradition of American Plan meal service to all overnight guests. This means that the daily room rate includes three meals -a bountiful breakfast that includes both ala carte & buffet options daily, a grand lunch buffet and a five-course dinner Mon-Sat. Sundays offer a lavish Champagne Brunch and a light fare Supper. The dining room is also open to non-hotel guests during the season. The dinning room menu features American regional cuisine with continental influences. Guests can enjoy their meals the bright, cheerful dining room or the majestic veranda overlooking Chautauqua Lake.
The Athenaeum Hotel is available for special events, weddings, conferences and corporate meetings from Apr.-Nov. Please contact: Jason Toczydlowski at (646)623-3946 or jtoczydlowki@ciweb.org for more information.
History
Established in 1881
The 156-room Athenaeum Hotel sits grandly on a tree-shaded hill overlooking Chautauqua Lake. It is said to be the largest wooden building in the eastern US, and was built in the Second Empire style in 1881.
The hotel is located on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution who has offered over 130 years of summer programming in the arts, education, religion and recreation. Founded in 1874, the internationally acclaimed institution offers interactive education in the fine and performing arts, religion, and the humanities to more than 100,000 annual visitors. Visit www.ciweb.org for more info.
The original main gate to the Institution was accessible by steamboat, but has now moved up the hill to the west on rt 394.
The early tent camp assembly moved into cottages and rooming houses, and now a few B&Bs and small hotels. However, the Athenaeum Hotel still offers guests the experience to be treated in luxury within the original timber framed "Grande Dame" hotel.
