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Mirbeau Inn & Spa

09/15/2008

Source: About.com

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Mirbeau in a Nutshell:
There is a bit of the French countryside in central New York State's Finger Lakes region. Mirbeau—an inn, spa and restaurant—brings Claude Monet’s Giverny garden to life in Skaneateles, a five-hour drive from New York City and a half hour south of Syracuse. Mirbeau is set on 16 acres around a flower garden and koi-filled pond with a replica of Monet’s Japanese-style bridge just outside the dining room.

Mirbeau’s award-winning, inn, restaurant and spa can be experienced separately. The staff is well-trained and cheerful and helpful. Wi-fi is available throughout the rooms and grounds.

The Inn at Mirbeau:
The Inn at Mirbeau has 34 rooms, 18 in the main inn and 16 cottage units. Each has a gas fireplace, double sinks, a claw-footed tub, and very comfortable beds. Ground-floor rooms have patios with bistro-style tables and chairs. Rooms around the pond are situated in such a way that privacy is maintained. It is easy enough to use only the sheer curtains on the sliding doors to enjoy a nap while keeping with feel of being in your own garden.

Giverny, the Restaurant at Mirbeau:
The French theme is maintained in Mirbeau’s restaurant, where the dining room is a reflection of Monet’s country home. The approach to the food is impressionistic, like Monet’s painting. One entrée: Sun-dried-tomato-pesto-marinated halibut with lemon spaghetti topped with a swirl of bacon.

Although the flavors are strong, nothing is overpowering, unexpected flavors are hinted at, and tastes play off one another in interesting ways. Put that together with beautiful presentations, wine suggestions by the knowledgeable wait staff, and a gorgeous setting, the dining experience is like being in a work of art.

The Spa at Mirbeau:
Mirbeau’s spa has 18 rooms for massages, scrubs, facials, hand and foot treatments and body wraps—a ratio of nearly one treatment room for every two guest rooms at the inn. There is a large workout room with equipment that allows for beginner and advanced movements on each machine, set up in a specific order to work the total body. Another room holds tai chi, meditation, and yoga classes. There is also a large outdoor sculpted hot tub set near a large fireplace. Steam rooms and saunas are sex segregated, but there is the opportunity for a couples massage or an herbal bath in a double-sized soaking tub.

Destination Weddings at Mirbeau:
Wedding ceremonies at Mirbeau take place under a tent between Monet’s garden and the pinewoods. The food is, of course, prepared by Giverny’s kitchen. Mirbeau can accommodate parties from 10 to 100. There are many packages to choose from. Almost any combination of inn, restaurant, and spa can be put together. In this intimate setting and attentive staff, you can’t but help be put into the right frame of mind for a romantic get-away.

Nearby Mirbeau:

Mirbeau is within walking distance of Skaneateles, a pleasant town on the Finger Lake of the same name. Here is a terrific bakery, The Patisserie, shopping and, a few miles out of town, Joelle’s Bistro, a delightful restaurant in the countryside. Mirbeau provides bicycles, and there are boat excursions on this most eastern of the Finger Lakes. This is the largest wine region in the state and nearby wineries, such as Anyela’s Vineyards (the lake’s newest vineyard and another lovely place for a wedding) are open for visits and tastings. A golf course abuts the lake.

What Could Be Improved at Mirbeau:
Mirbeau’s accommodations and amenities are truly outstanding. It is a wonder, then, why the air conditioner unit located outside Giverny and near the Inn rooms is noisy enough to disturb the otherwise tranquil experience. We also would prefer having some quiet place in the spa, a spot without New Age music piped in or people walking by on their way to the outdoor hot tub.

Is Mirbeau Right for You?:
Mirbeau met our expectations of a luxury and romantic inn, offering a superb dining experience in a dreamy setting. We spent an indulgent afternoon sipping cucumber-infused water and dozing on a specially contoured chaise lounge followed by a vino-therapy massage for each of us.

It is easy enough to spend a couple of days never leaving the property. But the sheer beauty of the surrounding countryside ought not to be missed. In every way, this is an ideal getaway for honeymoon couples or those seeking a romantic place in which to pamper the senses.

Find Out More About Mirbeau:

Mirbeau Inn & Spa
851 West Genesee Street
Skaneateles, NY 13152
315 685-1927

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.

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From Arthur and Lyn Dobrin, for About.com