Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

Hotel Review: Roycroft Inn, East Aurora NY a Historic Charming Treasure!

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The floorboards squeaked beneath my feet as I walked down the narrow hall and I heard sounds of doors opening and closing in the distance. There were many doors with names engraved on them, and I had no idea why? Why were there more doors in the hall than there were rooms? This is the historic wonder of the Roycroft Inn, East Aurora NY. A turn of the key in the door revealed my suite, a place with windows on the interior wall and many other doors leading from one room in the suite to another. Nothing made any sense, but then slowly, in its own time, the inn began to show its many layers to me.

Located in the delightful village of East Aurora New York, the Roycroft Inn is the perfect location for antique hunters, village boutique shoppers or those looking for a quiet country escape.

Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

The Roycroft Inn, East Aurora NY – History at the Roycroft Campus

Built originally in 1897, as a print shop, the Roycroft Inn was part of Elbert Hubbard’s arts, and crafts vision that began with a print and book publishing business and evolved into a campus of artisans selling their handcrafted creations. The print shop was expanded to include a reception area, library and boarding room accommodations for the many guests, workers and artists that came to visit the region.

This amazing group of buildings that make up the Roycroft Campus were almost lost, but a group called the Roycroft Campus Corporation worked diligently to restore the buildings to their original splendour. As a result, the Inn and surrounding buildings have been deemed National Historic Landmarks, and in 1995 after a multi-million dollar renovation, the Inn opened its doors once again to guests.

bedroom Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

The Four Room Suite

So now that you know a little history behind this inn imagine it’s original boarding rooms converted into the 29 suites. All the doorways maintained in the hall and carved with names of the famous guests that stayed at the Inn. The smell of the wood and sounds of creaking wood floors add to its historic charm. So why the windows on the inside wall of our suite? Well, the boarding rooms included porch accommodations, and the windows provided air flow from the porch rooms into the inside boarding rooms. Our suite was made up of 2 porch rooms and two interior rooms of the boarding house.

bathroom Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

When you walk inside the first room in the four-room suite you will four-room houses Roycroft antique furnishings including a dresser and an Armoire, then as you walk through the next door, you enter the bedroom, set up with two twin size beds and a television set. A small sitting room with an antique desk and a chaise chair provide a quiet space to read or work, and the quad of rooms is completed with the spacious bathroom.

Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

Roycroft Inn Reception Area

This inn does not try to be a fancy modern hotel, but it has a cozy feel amongst the grand rooms filled with antique furnishings, art and comforts. The main reception is an invitation to the Inn’s warm opulence, with some clustered chairs and benches creating some sitting areas within the one room. A piano and a large table provide focal points for the ample space.

great room Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

The entire hotel is equipped with wi-fi if you need to stay connected, although the signal came and went throughout our stay. If I weren’t on assignment, however, I would not concern myself with Wi-fi and merely enjoy the romantic and cozy inn’s quiet hiding spaces with a book.

Cozy sitting areas Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

The Bar and Library

Part of the appeal of the Roycroft Inn is the many places you can have a quiet moment of relaxation, or gather with a group of friends. The large bar and library area, like the massive reception area, has lots of cozy chairs and tables to gather around and enjoy a drink.

Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

Other Hidden Corners

I fell in love with rocking chairs on the many outdoor porches around the inn. The sound of wind blowing through the leaves in the trees and porch floor creaking under the chair is the most relaxing and excellent way to spend a vacation!

Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York

Dining Room and Veranda

On a beautiful summer night, there is nothing more impressive than sitting at a table on a veranda with a view of a perfectly manicured garden, while sipping a glass of wine. This is the scene of our dinner for two at the Roycroft Inn. As if, I wasn’t relaxed enough from my time in my suite or the reception area great room, now I would be enjoying a fine dining dinner extravaganza!

 

Roycroft Inn East Aurora New York
The Roycroft Inn
 
 
 

Maybe it is because I am a writer and graphic designer that I was so inspired by my stay in this historic inn built for the turn of the century artisans and creatives? Maybe the rumours that the inn is haunted are correct, and these artisans were around me throughout my stay with only the sounds of creaking floors and doors opening and closing giving them away? But, in this small, cozy and quiet inn set in the beautiful village of East Aurora New York, I had the most wonderful stay, and I can’t wait for the day when I can come back again to take in some of its historical inspiration, charm and beauty.

 Travel assistance provided by Visit Buffalo Niagara, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.

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