Took advantage of the Thanksgiving package offered by the hotel and had the MOST special time. Every service person was so friendly and helpful from the concierge to the dining staff. There were trivia contests and the prizes were a beautiful Christmas ornament and hotel coasters. Many activities were available throughout the days. I loved taking the class on making my own live little holiday tree out of boxwood. My husband and I enjoyed hearing the ghost stories about the hotel and town by the local historian. We also ended our evenings with the live entertainment in the downstairs lounge. If you have a chance, go on the historical tour of the building to see the lady with 6 toes or the chicken wire wallpaper.
As far as the food - it was delicious. Our package included breakfast and dinner. Plates were taken immediately when you were finished with them. The best tables are the ones that overlook the lake for breakfast or brunch. Women should be dressed business casual or better for evening meals while the men need to wear a jacket.
In the afternoon there is a nice little hot tea and cookie sit down in the Oak Room. Afterwards we enjoyed watching the lake turn colors at sunset. Wonderful rear porch veranda with rocking chairs.
Our room faced the front of the property but was quiet and spacious. The beds were comfortable. The first night with turn down service we received chocolates and a bookmarker. The second night they left us a large homebaked pear hazlenut bread. It was always a wonderful little surprise.
The hotel is decorated beautifully with old world elegance and that all starts at the lobby. One afternoon we sat near the fireplace and just listened to a pianist play. This is such a special place. We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving here so much that we hope to make this a new tradition.
Oh and another perk is that the hotel is within walking distance of the town. Ask the concierge for the self walking map; we really enjoyed seeing the historical buildings and learning more about the town itself. On prior visits to Cooperstown it was always just about the Hall but there is more to the town than just baseball. All in all a most perfect place to stay.

My husband & I stayed at the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, NY over the Thanksgiving holiday & were thoroughly rejuvenated! The "Grande Dame" on the lake sits majestically within walking distance to the very "baseball themed" town. Location was perfect! Although we stayed in an "economical" room our view was of the beautiful lake and the heated pool (still open) & the golf course-also still open! The food (included in our package) was very good. The only complaint I have about the food was that it was not hot-only the "made to order eggs" & coffee were hot. Our room was extremely small but functional, cozy and well equipped. Our bed was extremely comfortable & in fact, my husband & I are still talking about it! The bathroom, surprisingly, was very large,clean & updated. The bar was very masculine in decor and very cozy with a fireplace and little round tables. Our bartender, Jim, entertained us with ghost stories within the hotel! Very spooky! In fact, one of the nights were there I happened to wake up at 4am and heard a man clear his throat right outside our door but didn't hear any foot steps! The next day we asked Jim about it and he said it was possible because a lot of the stories people have told took place on our (2nd) floor! Anything's possible right?! In conclusion, I would recommend the Otesaga Hotel to anyone & everyone!

My family and I stayed here in October for a short second visit to The Baseball Hall of Fame. The public areas of the hotel are gorgeous and it's a short walk to the center of town. But our rooms were old-fashioned boxes that had larger bathrooms than bedrooms. And where do I start with the food, which was only slightly better than a wedding dinner we once attended at a Holiday Inn?

I hate to give the grand lady of Cooperstown such a bad review, but she is definitely resting on her former reputation, and lakeside location. For way less money, you can stay in or close to town, eat much better food, and not have to deal with what we found to be an indifferent front desk staff.

I recently attended a legal conference at this hotel, and being from Upstate NY I knew I was going to be in Cooperstown, the town that quaint was made for. What I didn't realize was how elegant and refined the Otesaga is. From the chocolates on the pillows to the signs in the hallway asking for quiet in the evenings, the place exudes old school elegance. They ask for men to wear jackets in the main dining room for evening meals. And what meals they are. Every meal was an event unto itself. In the mornings sitting on the outdoor porch watching the fog roll off the lake looked like something out of a movie. And to think you still have all of Cooperstown at your feet. Worth every pricey penny.