Travelers to New York’s Finger Lakes region now have a refined new lodging option: the Farmhouse at Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa in the village of Aurora. Redesigned by Hart Howerton—the firm behind the resort’s spa—the Farmhouse sits just off Main Street adjacent to the spa and reimagines an 1835-built structure as a modern wellness retreat. The property features 10 thoughtfully designed guestrooms and a series of inviting communal rooms, where contemporary spa therapies are offered within the carefully preserved historic shell.
© Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa
“Opening the Farmhouse marks the completion of our historic collection, our final inn and our most ambitious project to date,” said Sue Edinger, general manager of Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa. “It is the true culmination of everything the Inns of Aurora stands for—wellness, intentional design, and a deep sense of place. We’ve created a space that is as inspiring as it is restorative, where every detail, from the dedicated treatment room to the hand-painted wallpaper, invites guests to slow down, unwind and feel at home.”
Hart Howerton honored the building’s heritage while introducing sensitive contemporary interventions. Original features were preserved or restored, including a grand staircase and columned porch, pocket doors, an antique front-hall doorbell, stained glass, and bespoke casework. The study contains a Wolf Kahn landscape titled Xmas Tree Hill suspended above the fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with texts on wellness. The dining room is finished with hand-painted de Gourney wallpaper in a garden motif, a second Wolf Kahn painting, a table for 12 and a stone-topped buffet—spaces designed to feel both rooted and restorative.
© Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa
“From the outset, our ambition was to honor the legacy of the Inns of Aurora while thoughtfully reimagining the historic Farmhouse for a new chapter,” said Teddy McCarthy, partner at Hart Howerton. “The restoration and renovation preserve the character and integrity of one of the Inns of Aurora’s final historic residences, while a deliberately contemporary addition offers a measured contrast—blending old and new and complementing the adjacent Spa building. Building on a decade of work in Aurora, our team brought a deep familiarity with the property and its evolution to shape a guest experience that reflects both the area’s heritage and the continued growth of the Inns of Aurora.”
The Farmhouse offers a tranquil courtyard and outdoor firepit for guests to gather and relax. Its spa amenities include hydrotherapy pools and saunas, plus a naturally lit private treatment room where Farmhouse Rituals are performed using Biologique Recherche products. Signature offerings include the Nourishing Manuka Honey Drench, the Back to Nature Ritual, and the Moonflower Sleep Ritual—treatments designed to support relaxation, recovery, and restful sleep.
Overall, the Farmhouse at Inns of Aurora blends historic character with contemporary comfort, creating a boutique wellness destination that complements the resort’s existing inns and spa. The restoration preserves the property’s sense of place while delivering a calm, carefully curated environment for visitors seeking a restorative Finger Lakes escape.