Your complete guide to The Gate

ALT title: Know before you book.

So you're planning a trip to Skaneateles. Maybe it's your first time, maybe you're looking for a different kind of stay this time around. We're excited about what we're doing here - addressing some unspoken challenges of modern travel and creating one more option for overnight visitors to the Finger Lakes.

We're something different - seven renovated units at the eastern gateway to the Finger Lakes where you can stay thoughtfully - smart, sophisticated, affordable. After running this place for a couple years and talking to hundreds of guests, here's what we've learned about the guests who really love their stays with us and what they have in common.

The Types of Travelers Who End Up Here

Weekend Warriors and Summer Escapists Most of our guests are getting out of the city for a long weekend or summer getaway. You want to explore Skaneateles village, maybe hit some wineries, eat well, and not think about work for 48 hours. We had a couple drive all the way from Canada with their bikes to cycle around the lake - now that's commitment to a proper vacation.

Wedding and Celebration Guests There are wedding venues all over the area - some have on-site lodging, some don't. If you're planning to be in the village for the after party, you can't do better than being able to walk home after. We've had wedding parties coordinate to book multiple rooms so they could all stay at the same location, which makes the wedding weekend even more fun. Unless you get in a fight with your friends, which also happened once. Luckily, we were having a little after party of our own in our on-site event space (giving industrial, townie vibes not surprisingly), so we got to hear all about it over a few beers and '80s hip hop.

What's also not fun is when you have an important event and you've got little kids whose routines aren't flexible. Having a separate bedroom and a kitchenette to store and prepare kid-friendly snacks is a game changer. IYKYK.

People Visiting Family Adult kids coming home, relatives gathering for holidays, grandparents visiting grandchildren. Sometimes staying with family isn't practical (or desirable), but you still want to be nearby. Our very first guests were a couple who stayed the whole summer to visit their kids and grandkids who live in the village, and we always look forward to a sunset cocktail with them when they are here. We just wrapped up our third summer with them. We're close enough to most Skaneateles residential areas that you can easily visit but far enough that you have your own space to retreat to.

Business Travelers and Extended Stays Regional sales calls, Syracuse area meetings, temporary housing between moves and during construction projects is a big one. Because of our village proximity and our fully-furnished range of options, we're a convenient solution for locals. When we open the Elmer, it will get even better. We've had a private chef follow their client for the summer, needing a place that felt like home but wasn't permanent. Business travelers appreciate that they can work quietly without making small talk over continental breakfast.

Event Goers Classic Boat Show, Dickens Christmas, Syracuse University occasions, other college events. We had a group of friends from Buffalo who'd lived there their whole lives and never heard of Skaneateles until their 60s - they loved discovering the village during a quieter weekend. They came in the summer, and they've already booked a return visit to check out the Dickens Christmas festivities in December.

What All Our Favorite Guests Have in Common

After thousands of check-ins, we've noticed our happiest guests share certain traits. We love all our guests equally, though different, kind of like children... They're curious rather than demanding. They're interested in learning how things work rather than expecting everything to work exactly like their last hotel stay. When we had a guest who couldn't figure out our digital locks and drove away before even stepping inside, that told us something important - we work better for people who approach new experiences with a "let me figure this out" attitude.

We had another guest check out because they didn't like our smart TVs and "just wanted to watch the news." That's totally fine - they know what they want, and it wasn't us. What none of us realized (because we don't watch the news on TV) is that all our smart TVs have a live feed to watch news and all kinds of content through digital broadcast - missed opportunity. On the flip side, we've had guests figure out how to cast their own content and generally make themselves at home with the technology.

Our best guests are open to the possibilities of self-led hospitality. We are able to keep our operations simple and our costs low, so we can pass more value to our guests with each stay. They prefer having their own space and figuring out their own schedule rather than coordinating with front desk hours or breakfast times. They appreciate authentic experiences - they're not looking for manufactured hospitality but genuine connections to the place they're visiting.

Your Room Options

The Studio Queen bed, coffee station, smart TV, private bathroom. Best for couples who plan to be out exploring, business travelers who need simple and clean, anyone who doesn't want kitchen responsibilities. Think of it as a really nice hotel room that doesn't smell like industrial cleaning products.

The Bungalow Private bedroom, pullout sofa, kitchenette, separate living area. Good for small families or couples who want more space and the ability to make breakfast without putting on real clothes first. The kitchenette handles breakfast and snacks but isn't meant for recreating that amazing pasta you had in Italy.

The Chapman House Full kitchen, space for up to 6 people, private deck, cafe booth that becomes everyone's favorite morning spot. Choose this if you want to cook together, have a larger group, or just like having options for where to spend time when someone inevitably wants to watch a different Netflix show.

The Elmer (Opening Spring 2026) Four bedrooms, chef's kitchen, multiple living areas, sleeps 10-12. Weekly rentals for family reunions, large friend groups, or anyone who thinks they can get a dozen people to agree on dinner plans for a week.

Practical Stuff

Rates: Demand-based pricing. Weekdays cheaper, weekends more, special events premium. Book direct at thegatehq.com for best rates.

What's included: Parking outside your door, WiFi, climate control you can adjust, and smart TVs. And of course, the hot water, private showers, and heat that our predecessors introduced in the original Chapman Motel debut.

Check-in: Completely self-service. You get a text with your door code. No front desk, no key pickup, no required small talk.

What we're not: Full-service hotel with daily housekeeping. Party destination. Trying to be cheapest or fanciest. We're for independent travelers who value character and convenience.

You'll Probably Like Us If...

You value independence over service. You prefer self-service to hand-holding. You want character without resort prices. You like having your own space. You don't need daily housekeeping. You approach new experiences with curiosity rather than rigid expectations.

You might prefer traditional lodging if you want daily housekeeping, concierge service, formal check-in procedures, 24/7 front desk, or resort amenities. Better to know upfront than discover it after booking.

Local Knowledge

We live in Skaneateles and have learned what works for visitors:

Restaurant reservations: Not required, but recommended for large groups and particularly in the summer.

Village timing: Summer weekends can feel overwhelming, so mid-week visits are a great way to discover the leisurely charm of Skaneateles.

Day trips: Finger Lakes wineries, Auburn attractions, Syracuse activities, boat rentals - we can help plan efficient routes.

Seasonal reality: Summer is beautiful but crowded. Fall has great weather, fewer people. Winter is quiet but some attractions close. Spring is for the flowers and those who love them (particularly peonies).

Ready to Book?

We're designed for travelers who appreciate thoughtful details and value independence.

Book directly for the best rates.

Questions about which room works for your trip? We read and respond to emails and happy to help guide you.

When you stay at The Inn at the Gate, you're choosing hosts who understand travel from experience and care about this place because we live here.

—Seth & Lynn

The Inn at the Gate offers seven thoughtfully renovated accommodations at the eastern gateway to the Finger Lakes. Each space is designed for modern travelers who value independence, character, and authentic connection to Skaneateles. Book your stay at thegatehq.com.