As the light breeze rolls off the waters of Otsego Lake, simultaneously combing through the nearby willow trees and gently nudging the row of white rocking chairs on the veranda into motion, it’s hard to imagine a more serene setting than the one playing out at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York.
The picturesque lakeside scenery and bountiful natural beauty that surround the Otesaga Resort Hotel is enough to inspire artists of all sorts to create their own masterpieces, be they works of fiction, paintings or grand events. It was the pristine waters of Lake Otsego just off the hotel’s veranda that were first penned into James Fenimore Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales.” It was nearly a century after Natty Bumppo sang the praises of his beloved “Glimmerglass” that this historic hotel opened its doors to guests as the ethereal setting for intimate events and timeless experiences. Opened in 1909, the Otesaga Resort Hotel is a member of the exclusive Historic Hotels of America, an organization founded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The hotel was named after the Iroquois word for “a place of meetings” and has lived up to its name since its inception. “The hotel is open from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend,” said Robert Faller, director of sales for the Otesaga Resort Hotel, who noted that the hotel is perfect for small meetings, no matter the season. “The hotel is available to groups during the offseason who book at least 60 rooms per night.” The Otesaga Resort offers 30,000 square feet of meeting space that can be arranged in a number of ways for events with between 10 and 350 guests. Aside from the 132 guest rooms (including 26 suites), this Grand Dame hotel features 14 meeting and conference rooms, including a 2,600-square-foot ballroom and tons of more intimate spaces and breakout rooms for private meetings. The laid-back setting, coupled with the extensive recreation options ranging from golf courses to museums, breweries and outdoor activities, make this resort hotel an ideal spot for meetings and events.
Meeting Space
Serenely set along 700 feet of scenic shoreline, the Otesaga Resort Hotel enjoys an air of both stately grandeur and relaxed hospitality. This historic estate boasts 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and features 14 meeting and conference rooms throughout the space. Smaller breakout rooms include the Glimmerglass Room (24 guests), the Pathfinder Room (12 guests) and the Lake Room (30 guests); larger events are more suited for rooms like the Ballroom (250 guests), the Fenimore Room (100 guests), the Main Dining Room (200 guests), the Iroquois Room (100 guests) and the Templeton Lodge (125 guests). The hotel has a range of midsized rooms as well, among them the Council Rock Room (75 guests), the Abner Doubleday Room (50 guests), the Four Winds Room (75 guests), the Natty Bumppo Room (50 guests) and the Kingfisher Tower Room (80 guests).
Dining
The Otesaga’s rich culinary history dates back more than 100 years. The chefs at the hotel provide a full range of culinary menus that have recently been updated, and there are two on-site restaurants for guests to enjoy. Glimmerglass’ grand buffet breakfasts and lunches are great for pleasing every palate, and the four-course dinner served in the evenings is perfect after sunset cocktails on the veranda overlooking Otsego Lake. Guests rave about the Sunday brunch served each week, with prime rib and seared scallops rounding off a menu of delicious foods.
