Located on the shoreline of Seneca Lake, the Plum Point Lodge is comprised of multiple buildings with large windows overlooking the lake. There are thirty-one guest accommodations at the lodge. Perhaps the most unique of these units are the six yurt-glamping tents. All guests at the Plum Point Lodge have access to the property's pool, the firepits and yard games in the main courtyard, the dock seating, and the bar. Sapalta is a restaurant located on the property that serves dinner every night and breakfast every morning. The Plum Point Lodge offers boat rentals out of its dock, and there are many wine tours in the surrounding area.
The Plum Point Lodge is a lakefront motel along the western shore of Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in Himrod, New York. The seven-acre property that the Plum Point Lodge resides on features three hundred feet of accessible lakefront land, a restaurant, an event center, and, of course, the three main lodging buildings where the guests are housed. All of the buildings are purple with white trim and black railings. The two main buildings are covered in windows on all sides, shedding natural light inside and providing sweeping views of the relatively large lawns and lake. A dock sits on the lakeshore with seating along its boardwalks. Two large fire pits are spaced throughout the property along the lakefront, surrounded by Adirondack chairs and wood rocking chairs for guest's comfort.
The six glamping yurts are located on the western side of the property in the Plum Point Creek fields. Behind the main lodge, there is a pool, a restaurant with outdoor seating, a bar, a lounge, and the main lawn. There are many different seating areas throughout the property, with outdoor sofas, shaded tables, and covered lawn chairs. Additionally, a horseshoe area and a grassy common space give guests a place to play their own games or layout picnics. The outdoor fire pits are lit every night at eight o'clock for guests to use.
There are twenty-five total guest accommodations spread throughout the two main buildings of the Plum Point Lodge. These vary in size and capacity, much like an inn or motel. An additional six accommodations exist in the form of the glamping yurts. Inside the lodge, guests can utilize the fitness studio at the rear of the main building, complete with basic gym equipment such as a treadmill, stationary bike, weights, and mats. Because the surrounding area is wine country, guests can visit the front office or restaurant bar to purchase a bottle of locally accrued wine to take to their room. Memorabilia is sold at the front desk as well, such as t-shirts, wine bottle openers, hats, glasses, and mugs.
The glamping tents or yurts on the property are laid out in a campground style side by side with green exteriors and well-established gravel pathways surrounding each. Wooded areas cover three sides of the yurts and at the center of the campground is a communal fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. A small stream flows behind the yurts leading to Seneca Lake. The yurts are all the same twenty feet in diameter with a queen-sized bed, dining area, a futon couch, ceiling fans, a flat-screen cable television, and a small refrigerator. The bathroom in each yurt is complete with a toilet, vanity, and shower. A separate outdoor parking area is located near the yurts, and all who stay in these glamping tents have access to the other amenities within the property.
There are two styles of rooms at the Plum Point Lodge. The lodge rooms are located in two buildings on the property. The South Courtyard building is two stories facing the courtyard with six units on each level overlooking Seneca Lake. Each guest room in the South Courtyard has a private entrance from the parking area. The rooms have a king-sized bed or queen-sized bed with a fold-out couch. The North Cottage is a single-story building with twelve guest accommodations. These rooms have either a king-sized bed or two full-sized beds. Every lodge room has partial lake views, patio access, a small refrigerator, air conditioning, flat-screen television with cable, and a full bathroom.
The Farmhouse Suite is the second reservation option at the Plum Point Lodge. This four-room suite is located on the second floor above the restaurant on the property between the North Cottages and South Courtyard Rooms. This large suite has an entry foyer, a large bathroom, a sitting room, and a sunroom. This room is commonly reserved for special occasions or extended stays at the Plum Point Lodge.
Breakfast is served daily from 8:00 to 11:00 in the morning. The breakfast menu includes a pastry, fruit, coffee, morning mixers, or tea. However, the most popular meal of the day to eat at the Plum Point Lodge is dinner. Chef Brud has over twenty-five years of experience in various chef roles and is the executive chef at Sapalta, the restaurant at Plum Point Lodge. This lakefront dining spot is open every night from 5:00 to 8:00. All of the dishes are cooked with organic ingredients, and many farm-to-table partners are providing fresh local ingredients that Chef Brud incorporates into every plate.
Plum Point Lodge is in the center of New York's wine country, in addition to being right along Seneca Lake. This central location sets the property apart from many traditional motels. There are many popular restaurants and vineyards within twenty minutes of the property. Some recommended restaurants include Ports and Kindred Fair. These two dining locations have diverse high-end menus with an extensive wine list. Guests at the Plum Point Lodge can often be found taking wine tours in the area, spending their days out on the lake with a boat rental, or visiting the Watkins Glen Race Track.
The desired atmosphere that Jason, the property's general manager, and his staff hope to create for their guests at the Plum Point Lodge is one of comfort and tranquility. The Plum Point Lodge is a lakefront property surrounded by woods, offset from the main road. All of these things help to contribute to the atmosphere of the space. Updated amenities, modern rooms, daily housekeeping, and the restaurant on the property can contribute to the guest's comfort as they stay at the Plum Point Lodge.
The current owners purchased the Plum Point Lodge in early 2018. Although the staff at Plum Point Lodge is relatively new, they are dedicated to maintaining the quiet intimacy of the sixty-year-old Finger Lakes landmark and to keeping the atmosphere of the space as original as possible. This makes it possible for those who made coming to the lodge a tradition to have the same experience they had at Rainbow Cove Resort—the previous lodging business that presided at the property.
When guests book their reservation at the lodge, an email is addressed to them concerning the policies of the lodge and anything guests should be aware of during their stay. The staff's goal at Plum Point Lodge is to always be upfront with their policies to ensure guests know the standards set throughout the property. Guests are expected to respect the property grounds and the water of Lake Seneca by cleaning up their own garbage and only walking on dedicated walkways. The entire property is a no-smoking zone, and guests are encouraged to follow the dedicated sleeping hours implemented to keep the lodge quiet during nighttime.
Those who visit the Finger Lakes and the wine country surrounding the Seneca Lake Wine Trail don't typically come to the area to work. It is a personal vacation destination, and the staff at the lodge want the space to feel as much like a resort as possible. Jason has worked hard to renovate the grounds and create a space that provides the vacation feeling visitors are looking for. A guest left this review regarding their stay, "We found this place by googling hotels on the lake. Very modern updates in the room, beautiful scenic landscape, very clean and well-maintained property, nice dock with Adirondack chairs around fire pits, benches on the dock. Nice restaurant, attentive staff at the desk."
The yurts are perhaps the most significant and the most impactful update that has been made to the Plum Point Resort. These glamping sites were built to bring the more nature-oriented side of the resort to guests without compromising amenities. "We stayed in one of the yurts. It was fairly cool and very comfortable; it was 95 degrees when we stayed. The yurt was spacious and cozy. The view of the water is great, and each morning we enjoyed our morning coffee on the water; and it was a quick and easy drive to Watkins Glen State Park for a hike. Having access to the pool was a huge plus, considering the heat," said a guest at the lodge.
According to the owner, more than fifteen percent of those who spend time at the Plum Point Lodge are repeat guests. Most come for family gatherings, weekends on the lake, or to watch an annual race that takes place at the Watkins Glen Race Track. The demographic of guests who stay at the lodge varies drastically from when it first opened in the 1950s. It used to be that the primary demographic to spend time at the lodge was middle-aged or older couples. In the present day, however, small families and younger couples will often reserve rooms. Regardless, a majority of the guests at the Plum Point Lodge visit from other cities in New York. The lodge is open from May to November, with its peak season of operation being from June to September. This is largely due to the warm weather.
Plum Point Lodge was initially known as the Rainbow Cove Resort. The property was built in phases from the late 1950s through to the early 1960s. It was a family-owned establishment and was owned and managed by family members of the original owners for over sixty years. The Rainbow Cove Resort has twenty-four guest rooms, a restaurant, pool, recreation building, and a small dock. Over its sixty years in business, the resort developed a strong reputation and hosted many repeat guests every year.
In early 2018 the property was sold to the current owners. Jason, the main property manager's father, purchased the property and tasked Jason with planning and carrying out the necessary renovations and improvements needed to improve the property and generate more revenue. The yurts were added to the property along with the bar and a new, larger dock. In addition, every room underwent extensive renovations to add new flooring, paint, furniture, and light fixtures. Even the outside sections of the buildings at the Plum Point Lodge were repainted to the deep purple color they are today.
Jason and his father purchased the property because of its location and rather extensive grounds. Here they could enjoy their hobbies such as building and boating while providing hospitality to their guests. The environment of the lodge is very relaxed, and that is something Jason personally loves. The staff at the Plum Point Lodge plans to do a project every year. In the future, they plan to extend the dock and repave the driveway.
3482 Plum Point Road
South Himrod, New York 14842
United States
Bed and Breakfast
