Woodcliff Hotel and Spa

When we’re in Fairport, this is where we stay, even in January. The hilltop setting gives you lovely views across the Rochester area, including from the restaurant. We were there in January with the usual Rochester flurries, around 1-3 inches of snow. We could happily dine in the Horizons restaurant the whole time. On Saturday, there was live music near the bar at a volume that was easy to talk over while eating there. And save room, or don’t: the small, delicate marshmallow ice cream in espresso cup is topped with a special graham cracker, a little marshmallow, and Verona dark chocolate, then smoked under glass. We split it and still finished it after a very filling dinner. Don’t skip it just because of the calories or a full stomach.

The Signature Facial has me thinking this should be a monthly visit. We’ll definitely go back. The service was prompt and attentive, and the waiting area’s big windows looked out on amazing views. The rooms, changing areas, and sauna were clean and quiet. A top-notch visit, and we felt right at home. Sorry, no pictures!

The secluded setting makes the hotel feel like a real getaway, and the spa had a great atmosphere and service. We had an issue with our room’s heating console, which was making an unusually loud noise. After we called the front desk, maintenance arrived within 10 minutes. They realized repairs would take too long, so they moved us to another room promptly. I appreciated how responsive and accommodating the staff were. A very pleasant stay, and we’d return.

The water was a major problem. It smelled and tasted strongly of sulfur, and after showering the odor seemed to linger on my hair, the sheets, and towels. We also got wrong information by phone about room service hours and whether the restaurant would be available. On Christmas morning there was no breakfast or even a decent coffee. Nobody told us at check-in that everything on the property would be closed on Christmas Day, which was extremely disappointing during our December 23rd to 26th stay. We’d booked the penthouse suite and were shocked by its condition. It felt old, outdated, and dingy. The pullout mattress for our kids had a large urine stain, the closet doors were falling apart, a large bug was stuck on the window for two days, and there was visible mold in the showers. The suite also looks out over the parking lot, which seemed strange for a room sold as premium. Maybe this hotel was nice decades ago, but it seems like it hasn’t been renovated in a long time. At that price, the condition was unacceptable. I understand paying for square footage, but I expect basic updates, clean mattresses, and general cleanliness. Breakfast on December 26th didn’t help. The food was subpar and barely edible. The eggs were overcooked, none of us finished our meals, and the waitress wasn’t warm or welcoming. We left disappointed again. I absolutely wouldn’t recommend this hotel, and we won’t return.