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Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees

Lakefront castle in Aurora with a hot tub

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At AURA, a 19th-century church turned residence in downtown Aurora, New York, unwind in the serene atmosphere of this historic castle by the lake. Enjoy the beautifully crafted masonry brick and stone walls adorned with stained glass windows and hardwood floors or relax outside with fire pits and comfortable rockers. With amenities like a gourmet kitchen, spacious open concept living room featuring a big screen Smart TV and full-size competitive pool table which easily converts to Table Tennis.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi

About the area

Map
Aurora, NY

What's nearby

  • Wells College - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Skaneateles Lake - 36 min drive - 45.5 km
  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges - 46 min drive - 61.7 km
  • Cornell University - 46 min drive - 58.7 km
  • Ithaca College - 48 min drive - 57.1 km

Getting around

  • Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dugan's Country Grill - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty Owl Wine Company - ‬51 min drive
  • ‪Aurora Ale & Lager Co. - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Knapp Winery & Restaurant - ‬44 min drive
  • ‪Aurora Inn - ‬5 min walk

About this property

Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees

Castle near Cayuga Lake
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees. Adventurous travellers may like the kayaking at this castle. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks at this castle include:
  • Barbecues, a billiards/pool table and books
  • Games, outdoor furniture and a music library
  • Beach towels and smoke-free property
Room features
All guest rooms at Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees have thoughtful touches, such as air conditioning, as well as amenities, such as free WiFi and desk chairs.
Other amenities include:
  • 2 bathrooms with Jetted bath and rainfall showers
  • Smart TVs with DVD players
  • Decks/patios, outdoor lighting and kitchens

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Exterior
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Games
  • Hot tub
  • Kayak
  • Music library
  • Piano

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Beach towels
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • On a lake
  • Outdoor furniture

Accessibility

  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding

Bathroom

  • 2 private bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • CD player
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV
  • Video games

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Rice cooker
  • Spices
  • Toaster

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Dryer
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Living room

Policies

Check-in

Minimum check-in age - 20

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

Please note that ONLY registered guests may stay at AURA. This policy is in place to respect our neighbors and to protect this historic building.
AURA is located in a residential neighborhood. You must be courteous to neighbors. Strict noise curfew from 9 pm to 9 am
Excess cleaning fee of $150 will be charged for leaving premises excessively dirty or moving furniture and not replacing it.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Not suitable for infants

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Aura Experience Serenity Hotel Aurora
Aura Experience Serenity Hotel
Aura Experience Serenity Aurora
Aura Experience Serenity
Castle
Aura Opplev Serenity
Aura Experience Serenity
AURA- Experience Serenity Aurora
AURA- Experience Serenity Private vacation home
AURA- Experience Serenity Private vacation home Aurora

Frequently asked questions

Is Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-out at Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees located?

Situated on a lake, this castle is within a 10-minute walk of Cayuga Lake and Wells College. Long Point State Park - Finger Lakes is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.

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Enjoy vacationing in a historic Church! No additional fees Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 42 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kelly F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is such a beautiful and unique accommodation. It is convenient and comfortably sleeps a group of girlfriends. We had a fabulous time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tala E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Book it!

We enjoyed our stay here. The church is kept in great condition and has modern amenities. Definitely recommend staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique Experience

Patti and Adam could not have been more gracious and helpful during our stay. Everything that was needed was provided promptly and Patti even provided a very inclusive things to do list. We attended a wedding at the Inns of Aurora and the property was within walking distance and very convenient. The property is spacious, well maintained, clean, comfortable and definitely unique with it being a prior church. Would without a doubt stay at this property again if in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Connor M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

outstanding property

I stayed here and the pictures don’t do it justice, this place is huge and looks amazing, definitely worth the drive and will be staying again
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient spacious spot

3 couples had plenty of room in a unique property right in town. Right across from lake, great biking. Attentive hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even cooler in person!

Our running team for the Seneca7 relay-race needed a place to stay the night before the race, and a few of us also several of us hadn’t met one another before. The enormous main space was perfect, and included a pool table, a piano, a phenomenal sound system, and very comfortable furniture. The rooms were perfect, and the upstairs loft bedroom is gorgeous. Everything was top notch. Well worth it. I just wish we had time to stay a second night and recovery there too.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emily D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our stay in Aurora

This place was better than the description, it was fabulous! It is a comfortable, inviting home with a jacuzzi and steam shower! It still reveals a church setting with a home setting. Our only regret was that we only had one night to enjoy this home in quiet Aurora!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls spa trip

My friends and I spent the day at the spa at Inns of Aurora, highly recommend, if you get a treatment you can spend the whole day, amazing. Then 5 of us stayed overnight. The church was wonderful, clean, fully stocked. Wish we could stay another night. There are so many cool things from the massage chairs to the bean bag cloud chairs and the pool table. So recommend staying here, you won't be disappointed!!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Aurora charm

Unusual and lovely church re-conceived as welcoming guest house for 8 people. We enjoyed the outdoor seating (although the gas grill may need a refresh) in the shade, the perfect location, the thoughtful supply of towels and dishes. The pool table was a fun activity to supplement Wells College final reunion activities and long walks around Aurora.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place in a great town

We stayed for a long weekend in conjunction with Cornell's graduation. The property is very unique and fun for a group. The town of Aurora is spectacular and the drive to and from Ithaca is convenient. The check in / check out process was seamless and property was clean and ready for us when we arrived. Patti responds quickly and thoroughly. We are already trying to figure out when we can stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debby S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Second visit

Once again we had an amazing time and truly enjoyed the unique experience of staying in a church. Spent the weekend with our adult children and their spouses and lots of fun was had by all. The only suggestion is to have room darkening film put on the angel and loft windows.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Heather S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

On-site manager saved the day...

We woke up to a flat tire on my son's car on check out day. The on-site manager was extremely helpful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An Aurora Treasure

What an interesting and beautiful place! We were in Aurora for a family wedding, with relatives spread throughout the village—including several staying at the Inn. Of all the accommodations, those who had the pleasure of stopping by "the church" couldn’t stop raving about it. Many agreed it was an incomparable treasure that truly outclassed every other place.The owners have done a remarkable job reimagining this 1870s church. The bathrooms are beautifully updated—one even includes a luxurious steam shower. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need. Bedrooms are spacious, and the beds are incredibly comfortable.The photos in the listing are accurate and enticing, but the real thing far exceeds expectations.One note of caution: the property is not handicap accessible.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Laura M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun Place to Stay

What a great place to stay with a group! Big kitchen if you feel like cooking, large play space and the perfect location. Of course you’re staying in a vintage building so there are little quirks but nothing to limit the enjoyment. Lake right across the street. Owner and property manager both available and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Kate D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Interesting

Having a whole church to yourself is a very unique experience. It was a bit odd but it was also relaxing and comfortable and the kids had a great time. The beauty of the stained glass windows, flooring and ceiling details was hard to beat. If you appreciate older buildings and attention to detail, this is a great place. Minor negatives are there are a lot of stairs to get luggage in and up to the loft so we left all of our clothes downstairs. The loft doesn't have any privacy, and while I loved the windows, there was no way to open any windows up to get fresh outdoor air. The living room was very comfy as were the downstairs bedrooms, once we figured out air conditioning. There isn't much to do in Aurora but we had a nice dinner at the Inn and did a lot of exploring around the area. A nice visit overall.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

carol g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Getaway

Very relaxing.Beautiful accomadations.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Nancy S., Las Cruces NM

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Unusual experience

This property is a converted church (obviously) so that comes with its quirkiness as well as charm. Very nicely remodeled but the location has its limitations. Property was clean and well maintained. There were 5 of us - two couples and a single - using 3 of 4 bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms had conveniently located bathrooms. The third did not. Only 2 baths had showers. The third had tub only. If we’d had another person in the 4th bedroom they’d be sharing an inconveniently located bath (with only a tub, no shower) with that same third bedroom. Towel racks for downstairs bath were located outside the bath - could have been more convenient. No closets in the bedrooms as they were all carved out of the former church. There were wall hooks and hangers. A/c cooling was done by individual wall units in different zones so you had to be aware of what to turn on where. Lighting situation was similar. Very dimly lit main area. Loading and unloading had challenges as you’ve got to carry everything from street level up the many steps to the front entrance. Pack light! It served its purpose (we were all in town for a reunion) and was comfortable but a bit pricey. The amenities were nice but I did not think of it as an indulgent retreat
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jason D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great unique rental

Great location, very unique rental that keeps a lot of the church features.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

BOB M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great week!

Great space for entertaining guests and family from out of town. Kept our boat at Long Point for the week 5 minutes down the road for quick easy access to the lake.

10/10 Excellent

Willard N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our host Patti never contacted us. I had to ask for the passcode from Sara Cowell.

Beautiful building and location. It was a disadvantage to us as it was the route 90 garage sale so traffic was slow. The tub on the bottom floor lacks a plug.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Virginia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful, fun place to stay

Our family, consisting of two grandparents, two parents, one teen, and two nine-year-olds, had a great time staying here. It was not only unique, but there was a pool table, lots of games, Wii, TV, and bluetooth. The Finger Lakes have many activities and places to visit and we had a great time hiking and visiting places of historic interest. We were looking for a memorable place to meet for our first gathering after COVID, and this was perfect. Criticisms? They fixed some of the previous complaints like cleanliness and outlets; the furniture is not pristine, but I would not criticize it, but for this price, they should have mowed the lawn and improved the air conditioning (set to 78, temperature read 83).
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Debby S., Lake Worth, FL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This was truly an amazing place to stay. The church was just like the photos. Loved it❤️

Amazing and lots of fun was had by all. House had everything you could need and Sara the tenant was very nice and helpful. Would highly recommend to all.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Manuela C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A really unique way to spend the weekend!

We had a lovely stay here! The house was interesting because of the history and it was a stone's throw from the lake and the town. Kids were excited there was a Wii to play with and adults loved the steam shower...everyone loved playing pool! The weather was not great but there were lots of games in the house so we had something to do. I would highly recommend this house.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Barbara S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

cool ,kitchy place to stay while touring the fingerlakes.

Great stay with just a couple of minor exceptions. We stayed there in October and found the church very chilly and took a long time to heat up. Kitchen was clean and well stocked with good basic cooking utensils and tools. However, parts of the church were dusty. ]The sofa in the main common space was very old and cushions kept sliding off the frame.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Alice B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Interesting and fun location

Original experience and lovely place to spend week
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2020