We returned earlier today from a long weekend (Memorial Day, 2005) at this property.

The Del Monte is an absoluely gorgeous facility situated in the quaint community of Pittsford, NY, a Rochester suburb, situated on the Erie Canal.

Although independently owned and managed, this hotel is affiliated with Marriott and flagged with their Renaissance brand.

Renaissance properties are more upscale than the better-known Marriott line and and tend to be decorated more individually than Marriott's (full service) establishments. The only reason I mention this is that I'm well-acquainted with Marriott having held Platinum status in their frequent guest program for a number of years.

Check in was quick and pleasant - and I was proffered the perks promised me by virtue of my status.

The public areas of the hotel are what I'd call a traditional classic style featuring well-maintained mahogand brass. There's a very small indoor pool and hot tub and a small workout room , all scrupulously clean and kept supplied with fresh towels.

Out guest room was better than first-rate. Besides the usual closet (with a light), there was an abundance of storage space in an armoire (which also contained the TV set, a safe, and coffee maker.

There was a desk at which a guest could take advantage of the complimentary high-speed internet access. There were two desk chairs (a rarity in hotels), no doubt so that a room service meal never had to be a balancing act if more than one guest were partaking of a room service meal.

With the king-sized bed came five large down pillows. The mattress (featherbed - better than pillow top) had to have been over a foot thick.

The bed was covered by a thick gold comforter under which was a very thick down duvet encased on both sides by bedsheets of very high quality.
(My wife told me that that was a reflection of the "threadcount" but I don't remember the number she estimated.)

The room attendants were quiet and unabtrusive; respected "Do Not Disturb" signs (which, unfortunately is not always the case in hotels).

Rooms (and baths - marble, by the way) were maintained in a spotless fashion. My wife pronounced the toiletries provided (Bio) as being absolutely outstanding. There was turndown service provided every night wherein the icebucket was filled, the traditional chocolate and "tomorrow's weather card" left on the pillows, and the bathroom stocked with fresh towels and the used ones removed.

The housekeeping staff is really on the ball in the Del Monte, never discarding something that may prove important (I'm a note writer and leave them all over the desk and night table). They quickly noticed, after the first night that we'd removed the gold comforter from the bed (the duvet was sufficient and the comforter was heavy,) and we preferred to not have our feet encumbered by it.

Therefore, for the rest of our stay, it stayed where we left it (neatly folded).

NOTE: Hotel Housekeepers have a job that's demanding, physically testing and low-paying. We make it a habit to leave a tip EVERY MORNING before leaving (for the person who does the "heavy work") house and a couple of dollats in the evening before going out for whoever is assigned the turndown service. It assures that the person who does the work earns the reward - leaving a lump sum at the end of the stay may cause someone who deserved a tip not to receive it - days off and all. We've found this practice is always appreciated and it's reflected in little ways.

Moreover it's a tough job - making beds, scrubbing, vacuuming, eight hours a day - I'm happy I don't have to do it.

As for those who "stiff" these people - "no comment" (but you can guess what it would be)!

We had breakfast all three mornings at the hotel's restaurant, the Erie Grill.
(Our's was complimentary by virtue of my Marriott status). All I can say is
that it is suburb with delicious food with very attractive presentation and service. The Grill was recommended for dinner, but on each of the two nights on which we requested a reservation it was closed for private parties.

As far as the town of Pittsford, I can only describe it as a step back to a time when life was less hurried and less complicated. By all means, it's a place to explore, particularly the tow path abounding the Erie Canal.

No question about it, the Del Monte Lodge and Pittsford New York is a place to relax, chill out, and charge the batteries before returning to reality.

I can't say enough about this hotel. The rooms have everything you could possibly need. We had a king size bed that was very comfortable. The staff there goes out of their way to get you what you need. They just opened a spa in December. It is incredible. We stayed at the hotel this past weekend for a wedding in Pittsford so I had my hair and makeup done at the spa. I felt like a movie star when I walked out. We had breakfast in the dining room over-looking the canal, it was beautiful. They have a shuttle bus that picked us up at the airport and brought us back when we left and didn't even charge us. We didn't have time to swim in the in-door pool, but it looked really nice. I really recommend this hotel!

I stayed for 1 night at this hotel for business and thought it was tremendous! The bed was comfortable and the room was quiet and serene. Everything was clean and in order: the room, the hallways, the lobby, and the restaurant. I had dinner in the restaurant and was impressed by the diversity of the menu (ostrich as an option in a Marriott property!). I would gladly stay here on my own dime if in the area again!

Stayed there 2/4-2/6/05 with my 7 year old daughter for a "getaway weekend", the staff there is beyond exceptional service. I was very impressed at how nice EVERYONE was, they were very good with my daughter also. The rooms are wonderful, bed is awesome! The pool was my daughters favorite part, and breakfast in the room! I would definitely stay there again and recommend it highly. Only 10 minutes from the Strong Museum which was a plus on top of a plus! Very satisfied, can't wait to go again.