Love Innovation and Love People Who Risk Change. The Historic Otesaga Resort In Cooperstown N.Y. going strong now for 112 years, decided to try something new this year! Winter!
Located in what’s been called “Americas Most Perfect Village”, the historic Otesaga known for summer fun is now staying open for the Winter. The place shouts ‘winter wonderland’ with its picturesque twinkling holiday lights, festive decor and often a blanket of snow during the winter months. A nice idea to consider for the most wonderful time of the year without breaking the bank since their winter rates are 40% off.
Do you know they have an outside ‘Fire Bar’? It’s been the screen shot on my iPhone since the last time my boyfriend Dave and I were there.
I fell in love with the Otesaga in Cooperstown when we went to The Baseball Hall of Fame a few years ago. I always wanted to go back and stay there so this week we did. I was craving a safe cozy short road trip and this sure did the trick.
Cooperstown is like a snow globe town, and while there this week I saw my first snow of the season. The Otesaga which has typically known for its warm weather outdoor activities, fabulous grounds, outdoor pool and magical golf course on the lake is now also a great cozy place to check in and chill out this time of year. Think cozy lobby fireplace; beautiful rooms with a Keurig machine; warm bubble baths in a big clean tub (I took 4); massages in the Hawkeye Spa, a gym, and a crazy delicious gigantic breakfast buffet. (Why I feel compelled to try every single thing at a buffet I’ll never know.)
Friendly cocktails, bartenders and friendly people in the Hawkeye Bar & Restaurant and delicious dining. (Loved that the chef indulged my ridiculous request for two different sauces because I couldn’t decide) The place is perfect for any reason, business or pleasure and especially a romantic getaway.
We arrived at night so I didn’t see the view from our room till I opened my eyes in the morning and saw the beauty of Otsego Lake out my room window. Wow.
I invited Tjibbe Lambers (pronounced Chib-Ba) originally from the Netherlands, now a Cooperstown resident and also the Dir. of Mkt for The Otesaga to join me. He shares some of the ‘firsts’ they’re offering this winter like ‘The Home For The Holidays Special’ and ‘The Holiday Lantern Tour’ & their ‘Arthur Family Getaway’ Package ( think beloved series of children’s books). He also talks about all the great Baseball legends The Otesaga has hosted over the years and the incredible display of wine glasses engraved with the name of each Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee showcased in their hallways. The ones with the white roses I observed were to honor those who had passed. The Otesaga also honors the Cooperstown areas’ Indian Heritage and Farmers Museum.
The town of Cooperstown is a little quiet in Winter but there are always interesting people who are drawn there all year long. We met a great fun gal who stays there regularly for business in the Hawkeye Bar. Gina McKenna from Texas! You’ll meet her in the podcast. Gina’s a working mom of 15 year old triplets (imagine?) She’s a riot and a top level consultant in the healthcare industry. I chose her to be my featured ‘Random Run In’ of the trip”.
I love my signature ‘Random Run Ins” and talking to interesting strangers. That’s a favorite sport of mine that had to be tabled due to the pandemic. Now that I’m ‘triple vaxed’ as I like to say – I’m feeling more confident about getting back to doing it. I’m on a ‘stranger talking’ comeback tour now .
In Cooperstown I chatted with Gina mentioned above, as well as her smart gal pal boss who sadly lost a child and wrote a book in his honor who I’ll invite on a future show. I enjoyed a chat with a famous Rabbi & his wife, a cool guy with a pony tail working to bring technology to rural communities, and a terrific fun younger couple Dave and I met at Cooley’s Stone House Tavern in town. While there, the young fella loved Dave’s music choices on the jukebox so much he sent us over a drink for his good taste! LOL. We joined them and connected over music and his gal pals love of talk radio. I also loved talking to all the different people who live and work in Cooperstown year round. Interesting to note there are many happy ‘couples’ who live there and work together at The Otesaga all year.
Cooperstown if you’ve never been there is located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and is a convenient drive from several Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cities including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New York, and Boston.
Enjoy our warm podcast conversations about it all.
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