Hotel Lenhart

We went here for a birthday party after work one night. The bartender was nice and efficient. The manager however was a complete prick. We were the only ones there aside from 4 ladies in their 80’s at the bar, who were awesome and offering to buy and do shots with the birthday boy. The manager did not like this (old ladies getting drunk) so he told us (normal behaving 30 year olds) that we had to leave. The old ladies were the ones buying shots! Not us! Well we were taking our time moseying on out because we had all just purchased a beverage, and didn’t want to waste it, and the manager called the cops saying we were harrassing the old ladies. They were actually up out of their chairs getting their pictures taken with the birthday boy and shot glasses in their hands. They hadn’t had that much fun in a long time. They were bugging him to dance with them, and they were singing to him, but apparently this is too much for the manager to handle so the sherriff dept. showed up. We of course made no issue, explained the situation, the cops laughed, the old ladies laughed, none of us were drunk so we were all good to drive (one beer each) but the manager still threw a fit and told us if he ever saw us there again he would call the cops. Thanks old ladies! It was a blast!

I did not stay here but took advantage of the lounge and set out and rock the day away on their porch it’s all done in Victorian-​style just beautiful with a great view of the lake they also have a restaurant would love to try staying here And if you just want to do nothing spend the day rocking in the rocking chair

Not much add to the other reviews, except that over the past few years, we’ve built up a checklist of items to bring with us when we stay at the Lenhart:
— Bathrobe (for shared bathroom)
— 3 – 2 plug (many electrical outlets only have accept 2 plugs)
— Shampoo
— Hair dryer
— Towels (for swimming)
— Extension cord (there are few outlets in the room)
— Cash or check

If you are looking for all of the conveniences of an ultra-​modern lodging/​event space then you might want to consider going elsewhere.
If you are looking for a place with a lot of history, charm with old-​school décor that really does work well than you have found your place.
I am more into the modern style however this place just works and it very pleasant for an event.
Overlooking the lake, you really couldn’t ask for more. I am a major fan!

I grew up in Chautauqua County and return occasionally to visit here. I had always wanted to stay at Hotel Lenhart because I love Bemus Pt, I liked the quaintness and the simplicity of the place. The lake, the porch, the bar on site, the nearby playground and the included breakfast were also a draw, so when my 9-​year old and I had the opportunity to spend a weekend there, we jumped on it. We got a room with a double bed and in-​room sink and shared toilet and tub/​shower down the hall. I realize that for most Americans this is a stretch but I’m on a budget and I told Kid that sharing a bathroom is common in Europe. There is a nearby parking lot, which is quite necessary during the summer season.
If you have kids: Yes, the period-​costumed mannequins with wigs askance across from the front desk freaked her out but we tried to laugh about them. She was also nervous about relative darkness of the hallways and the old photos on the walls.
But the room was airy and bright and had just the right period furniture, including a comfy bed, and we almost always found the shared bathroom down the hall looked as though it had just been cleaned. We figured out without too much difficulty when it was not being used and planned our showers accordingly. We loved the Victorian-​eque breakfast menu and the local college student who «took care of us» both mornings of our stay. We enjoyed sitting on the porch in the evenings, myself with a cocktail and she with some ginger ale. The «no smoking» signs on the front porch were largely ignored and not enforced, disappointingly. It became an extension of the bar after dark.
On the second night (Saturday) there was echoing live music across the street on the lake, so that it was loud (until 9pm) and there was little on-​street parking and there were indeed the expected drunk people wandering about. (Tip: Watch your speed coming into town as there are plenty of police trolling Bemus, looking for drunk drivers and speeders.)
There was a concert at Chautauqua Institution as well that night and with it came the second wave of noise, this time from returning guests in the hallway. The hallway noise comes from the over-​door transepts that need to be kept open for ventilation.
Several months after our visit in August, my daughter casually told me that SHE had seen a GHOST. Oh? Where? «Hotel Lenhart. It was peeking in at me through the top of the door.» Huh. Was that the ghost I heard singing a k.d. lang song in the hallway?

Hotel Lenhart has long been one of my favorite hotels. It’s much, much different than any other hotels. It’s old and dated but in the very best of ways. Entering the Hotel Lenhart is akin to entering a time warp taking you back over 100 years. Indeed the furnishings and décor haven’t changed all that much in the last hundred years and the family that owned it back then still owns and operates it today.
It’s an all wooden structure, something that wouldn’t be allowed today, but accordingly reserves all the charm of yesteryears. You won’t find television in your room, no elevator to help you to the third floor and the stairs and hallways do creek under your foot but that’s the way things were back then.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Hotel Lenhart are to stop by their Lamp Lighter Bar, grab a drink and peacefully enjoy it and the beautiful view of Lake Chautauqua from their from porch just as folks did over one hundred years ago.
In rating it, I’ve rated it not as a hotel but as a «historic all wooden hotel,» and as such, Five Stars since old historic wooden hotels don’t come much better than this. It’ practically a one of a kind.

What an adorable Inn! This place, which has been open for 131 years, is a historical gem in Bemus Point. It has been owned and operated by the same family since it opened in 1880. The hotel features 53 rooms of different types. Since the hotel was originally built without plumbing or electricity, some rooms have in suite restroom facilities, and some do not. For those who don’t, there is a common facility on the hall. The hotel 5 course breakfast is included in the price of the room, and is served in the main dining room.
What I love about this place is that it sure does have character! There is an adorable parlor, equip with board games, a piano for the more brave guest, or a few books to borrow and read. The Lamplighter Room (hotel pub), features their famous Rocker. This drink must be tried when in Bemus, and should be enjoyed on their veranda, which has 50 + rocking chairs. There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a Rocker in a rocking chair, listening to big band music, and watching the Bemus Bay sunset. Truly lovey!
Few warnings — the old charm does include a few downsides. It is cash only in the pub, and the hotel doesn’t have air conditioning. They are very generous with fans though :).