The Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is perched on the shore of Chautauqua Lake, a 17-mile expanse reaching from Celeron near Jamestown to Mayville, just eight miles from Lake Erie. The property is part of the Harbor Hotel Collection, a portfolio of AAA Four Diamond properties known for luxury accommodations in scenic waterfront locations.

There is a lot to do in the surrounding area (see below), but the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is a true resort—a guest would never have to leave the grounds to completely eat, relax, and frolic. Starting in the morning, coffee stations are centrally located on each floor. All the meals of the day can be enjoyed at the Lakehouse Tap & Grille (the seasonal Carousel Bar offers al fresco lunch, dinner, and cocktails). The property has a series of special weekends, some seasonal like the Thanksgiving Buffet and Fire & Ice—which transforms the grounds into a flickering, frost-bright playground with more than 40,000 pounds of carved ice glinting as sculptures, martini luges, themed pop-up bars, fire pits, and music throughout the night.

The rooms at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel feel less like accommodations and more like a quiet continuation of the lake itself. Pale woods, soft blues, and maritime details echo the water just beyond the windows. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors frame Lake Chautauqua like a living postcard. The beds invite lingering. Bathrooms are polished but practical. But the best part of the room is the private balcony; we stayed in room 338, which gave us a great view of both the lake and the outside bar and pool area. The pool is both recreational and reflective, inviting play and relaxation.

Staying at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel places guests at the center of a region shaped by water, humor, and quiet discovery. Nearby, the Chautauqua Institution offers a series of summer lectures, performances, and reflection, while Chautauqua Lake invites cruises aboard the Chautauqua Belle. Nature unfolds just beyond town at Panama Rocks and nearby orchards, while Jamestown adds cultural depth with the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. Vineyards along Lake Erie, historic towns, and lakeside parks complete the picture—an area that rewards curiosity without ever demanding haste.

Other properties in the Harbor Hotel Collection include the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel on Seneca Lake and the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Clayton, NY. Each offers guests a blend of comfort and regional charm.  

HELPFUL LINKS

Chautauqua Harbor Hotel https://www.thechautauquaharborhotel.com/

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau https://www.tourchautauqua.com/