The Best Hotels to Book Near Red House, New York

The hills around this part of New York are often blanketed with snow during the winter months, making them ideal for a fun ski resort such as the Inn at Holiday Valley. But the fresh air activities are not just restricted to the colder days of the year. The snowmelt reveals the links of an 18-hole golf course. Lodging is either in the ski-in, ski-out hotel with its hot tub and indoor heated pool or, for larger groups, condominiums and chalets.

The Seneca Allegany Resort switches outdoor activities for indoor entertainment. There are 413 en-suite rooms in this huge, self-contained site, offering views of the surrounding forests and hilly countryside. Among the resort’s restaurants are a steakhouse and a buffet, as well as the colorful River Bar, where every seat at the counter has its own little gaming machine. But the highlight here is the entertainment program, where live music concerts bring distinguished performers to your hotel’s stage.

This delightful wooden home, built in 1860, is ideal for anybody looking to live a slice of New York rural life in relative peace and quiet. In keeping with the Victorian theme, the butler exists in more than name, too, and will be on hand to assist you with your luggage and any other needs you may have during your stay. In the winter, there is snowmobiling nearby, with a hot tub on hand to warm you up at the end of the day.

Ellicottville, which lies due north of Red House, is another haven of outdoor activities from skiing and snow tubing in the winter to canopy adventure parks the rest of the year. This Wyndham hotel is in the center of town, close to the many cafes, taprooms and restaurants, allowing for a good night out without having to worry about transportation. There’s a whirlpool tub in the Wingate’s fitness center and large, well-appointed rooms.

Upstate New York’s Chautauqua Lake is a popular spot for water sports, boat trips and historic buildings. The Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is right next to the Lucille Ball Memorial Park on the lakefront. The hotel has a paved promenade that stretches along the water, and a small pier with seating jutting out into the lake. The rooms, decorated in a gentle blend of cream and blue, are as immaculate and well cared-for as the nine-acre (3.6ha) grounds.

There’s more of New York’s Victorian charm on show at this boutique inn. The exterior is extremely inviting, with its blue-and-gold facade and porticoed porch area, where you can sit and watch the world go by. The rooms are individually decorated, with floral themes, lace curtains and sturdy wooden bed frames. In the common areas, much of the old varnished wainscoting and carved pillars remain unchanged. Adjacent to the inn is the real former library, a beautiful Beaux-Arts building that is now a restaurant.

Sitting at the foot of the Ellicottville ski slopes is the Tamarack Club, a perfect base for playing golf, skiing or checking out the Holiday Valley’s many other outdoor pursuits. Hotel rooms and condos cater to couples and groups of up to 10 people. Families in particular can make great use of the three pools, with their slides and play area. There’s ski-in, ski-out access during the colder months, and three chairlifts departing for different slopes just moments from the hotel.

When it comes to hotel chains, you can always have a good sense of what to expect in terms of service and quality. This Holiday Inn Express just north of Red House is no different. For drivers, there’s excellent access to Interstate 86, making it easy to reach. Rooms are decorated with photography of rural Allegany landscapes and have blackout curtains when you don’t want to be awakened by the early morning light. A buffet breakfast is also included.