The Deer Run Lodging House is situated on six acres of land in upstate New York near the Finger Lakes. There are two rooms available to guests, both with unique names. The Frederick Suite features a king bed, a sitting area, and an en suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. Those staying with more than two people may prefer Helen’s Suite, which has pull-out beds for guests if needed. Breakfast is served each morning by Rick and Rita Keyes, the owners of the property, and guests can choose what they want from a menu. “You tell us what you want, we won’t tell you,” says Rick regarding the breakfast. Throughout the region, there are a number of activities that patrons of the guest house can engage in, including the aforementioned Finger Lakes. Some activities include hiking, water activities on the lake, and wine tasting at the various wineries that specialize in white wine near the property.
The location of the Deer Run Lodging House is described by one of its owners, Rick, as being a part of “the eastern gates of the Finger Lakes.” While much of the region is wooded, the six-acre property offers guests a walking trail through a portion of woods as well as an open grassy area. Closer to the house is a gazebo with a fire pit and a koi pond that guests can sit by. People can also reserve this common area by making prior arrangements with Rick and Rita, his wife and other owner of the lodge.
The building itself is two stories tall, with the two guest rooms available for reservation being located on the second floor. These rooms are referred to as the Frederick Suite and Helen’s Suite. Both of the suites feature private heating and air conditioning controls and flat-screen TVs. The Fredrick Suite has a king bed, a sitting area, and an en suite bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and Jacuzzi tub encompassing 300 square feet of space. Helen’s Suite also has a separate sitting area and a pull-out bed for guests should it be needed. This suite is also aimed at accommodating those who may have additional family members, as it contains a separate bedroom and a sitting area. The two bedrooms share the en suite bathroom, which has double sinks and a walk-in shower.
Each morning, breakfast is served to guests staying at the Deer Run Lodging House in the dining area on the first floor between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. It is made to order by Rick and Rita, who provide guests with a menu of options that they can choose from. These include homemade bread such as zucchini and orange cranberry and fruit bowls, among others. If they are made aware ahead of time, Rick and Rita can accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance and peanut allergies. Rick says that when it comes to breakfast, the guests “tell us what [they] want, we won’t tell [them].”
There are a number of attractions near the property that guests can visit, including the aforementioned Finger Lakes. The closest lake to Deer Run Lodging House is Skaneateles Lake, which is a few minutes' drive away from the property. On this lake, as well as the other lakes in close proximity, people can participate in water activities such as swimming or boating and hiking on trails that extend throughout the surrounding wilderness. One popular trail is the Charlie Major Nature Trail, which follows Skaneateles Creek. Bahar Preserve and Carpenter’s Falls is another outdoor attraction that people may visit to view and take pictures of the waterfall. Additionally, those interested in wine-making can visit a number of nearby wineries, many of which specialize in white wines.
One of the goals that Rick has for the Deer Run Lodging House is to help guests feel relaxed and to assist them in accomplishing the things they wanted to do on their trip. Both he and Rita hope that those staying with them will feel at home and that they have received good value for the cost of their stay. They both strive to provide this atmosphere by providing suggestions of things to do in the area as well as interacting with guests “as much as they want to be interacted with.” Rick says that the property’s catchphrase is “Across the Street From Ordinary,” as they strive to be different from other bed and breakfasts in what they offer. This is part of the reason why they market themselves as a lodging house and not a bed and breakfast, offering instead what they describe as “a modern touch towards accommodations.”
Many guests have left positive reviews about their stays. Some of these cite the location as being favorable, while others make mention of the quality of the breakfast. One patron said, “The room was private, the bed was very comfortable, and Rick and Rita could not have been nicer or more welcoming. Deer Run is close to town for dining and shopping and close to hiking trails for outdoor activity.” Another person commented that they “enjoyed the filling breakfast and the conversations we had” with Rick and Rita during their stay. The lodge is open nearly year-round, with the exception of February and March due to the winter weather in the area around that time of year. Typically the property is busiest during the summertime, specifically between June and October, due to the more pleasant weather and the number of activities one can undertake during the season.
Before opening the Deer Run Lodging House, the building was used by Rick and Rita, its current owners, as a private residence. It was originally built in 1992, and the owners worked in the travel and hospitality industry from that time until about 2019. They felt that it was time to move on from working in an office environment. With regard to opening a lodge, Rick says that it felt “natural to move into this.” Rick and Rita renovated their house in 2019 and began operating the bed and breakfast in April of 2020. When reflecting upon his favorite part of running the business, Rick says that “it’s not a job. It’s a way of life for us.” Both Rick and Rita enjoy being able to share their home with people and getting to know them over the course of their stays.
1010 Jewette Rd
Skaneateles, New York
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Rick and Rita Keyes
