Total Relaxation in a Picturesque Village Setting, Minutes From All Attractions.

Having read the previous reviews it is hard to think of anything not already said. We had a fantastic time here after a hectic week doing the sights in NYC. We also messed John and Maryalice about with our "Dinner for Two" booking,and also a winery tour and golf game were cancelled and re-booked when we had friends unexpectedly visit, but nothing was too much trouble.We have given John and Maryalice fair warning- - - we will be returning to Rosemarys Legacy- - - and we can't wait !

We recently visited the Finger Lakes from the Buffalo area. We came during the week to avoid any weekend crowds at the wineries. My husband found Rosemary's Legacy on a wine country site. We linked to the Rosemary's Legacy web page and fell in love with the house. The price was perfect (we understand that it is more in the summer, but still is reasonable). We booked the Romancing the Falls Package. It included breakfast each morning, a gourmet dinner, and wine and local cheese on arrival -- AND this wonderful home. It is the former home of the owner's parents - where he grew up. His mother, Rosemary, could have been an interior designer, but was a 50's and 60's stay-at-home mom. Every corner of the house is special. John's two breakfasts were incredible. Fresh fruit, cheddar cheese biscuits one morning, and fresh strawberry muffins the next. Blueberry French toast and a sausage fritata were the two day entrees. The dinner was the highlight of the trip. We ha ve always enjoyed fine dining. This was the finest in our 10 years of marriage. Sauteed fresh Maryland lump crabcakes with lemon aioli, grilled romaine hearts with blue cheese and pickled onions, filets with stout pan sauce, and the best tiramisu we have ever had. John's wife, Maryalice, helped serving the dinner - she was marvelous. The table was set with fine linens, unique silverware, and many candles. John takes care of the house, the property and the cooking. He used to own a local restaurant and could easily open a fine dining one in Buffalo and sell out every night. He knows everyone. He mapped out our winery stops - someone from each winery knew him and took very special care of us. We even stopped at a clothing store in Watkins Glen and they knew him there, too. It was the most amazing two days that we have had in years. We have already booked for the summer, so we can use the pool and have dinner next to it.

We just returned from several (although not enough!) days in Montour Falls, NY, at Rosemary's Legacy. The other reviews are spot on. We felt as though John and Mary Alice were friends via email and telephone even before we arrived. The house, in John's family for 60+ years, is lovely. Many family mementos, collectibles, and antiques are part of the decor. The gentle color scheme adds to the peace and quiet of the area. The porch off the master bedroom, the first floor porch, and especially the Garden Room all give opportunity for reading, snacking, or other wise relaxing and enjoying the breezes if you don't wish to go outdoors. Outdoors are the gardens and the pool. John served the most delicious dinner poolside for us one night. He takes special care to determine food likes, dislikes, and allergies and will offer sample menus. We asked him to select the menu and he did so with a gourmet chef's flair. He is most happy to share his ingredient list with you if you are interested. My husband and I have very high expectations for our meals and John surpassed them all. The warmth and graciousness of John and his wife, Mary Alice, are unmatched. Again, it is as if we were conversing and laughing with old friends. As hosts, they are not at all intrusive, but if you need help or advice, they are right there with answers. John grew up in the area and it seems that not only is he a true font of information on all the good things to see and do, but also anyone in the area that we spoke with knew and had high praise for John and Mary Alice as their Montour Falls neighbor.

The house has a full, big kitchen and even a complete laundry area available for guests. There is cable-vision, but we spent so much time reading the wonderful books there that we forgot to watch TV! All rooms are very generously sized. This stay certainly turned out to be so much more delightful than I had anticipated (my husband's engineering conference) that we are planning to/can't wait to return this Fall and in the future.

P.S. We had left a guide book for t he area at the house; John did not simply mail the book to us - knowing that we were planning to stop at the Watkins Glen library, he tracked us down and returned the book personally. That is the sort of kindness, caring, and devotion to his guests you can expect at Rosemary's Legacy.e