<p>Since we're from LI, we will probably need to stay overnight in a hotel along the way towards Hamilton when we drop off our freshman son for his first day. Any recommendations? Would love a reasonably priced place with 2 queens if possible.</p>
<p>The super 8 in Norwich is pretty good and cheaper than the Colgate Inn. It’s also much easier to get rooms at peak times there than the Colgate Inn.
([Super</a> 8 Hotels | Norwich New York Hotel | Norwich, NY 13815 | Near Northeast Classic Car Museum 1/2 mile, Proctor & Gamble 1 miles & 6 golf courses within 17 miles](<a href=“http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03705]Super”>http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03705))</p>
<p>It’s about half an hour to Colgate from Norwich and is essentially a straight shot along route 12 (which turns into 12b).</p>
<p>Having said that, there are plenty of other hotels reasonably close to Colgate that I’m sure are good too.</p>
<p>I’m looking for more recommendations please since the reviews from Trip Advisor are very mixed and also specify there may be a problem getting parking spots. Considering the car will be packed to the gills, I’m wondering if it’s a “safe” bet. Anyone else have any specific suggestions based on their personal experience? Maybe a B&B would be a little nicer? Not sure if that works for a couple and a 17 year old.</p>
<p>Most of the very small cities and towns between Long Island and Hamilton, New York are likely to have a motel or two, but don’t count on very high standards. Colgate’s own website has a pretty good accommodations listing, but it’s just a beginning since none of them are rated and some of them are a bit marginal. Many are modest at best, some are farmhouse bed and breakfast places which may take some getting used to, a few are nice enough, some are downright dumpy. </p>
<p>In the Colgate area, which you must remember is rural and consists of farming and small towns only, there are a few towns besides Hamilton which you might look into such as Clinton, Cazenovia, and others which will have a few decent inns, bed and breakfasts and motels. Caz has a few nice places and is a very pretty town, but they are mostly inns and bed and breakfast places which may not appeal to you. </p>
<p>Your best bet for a serious major motel or hotel is in the two cities north of Hamilton, Utica and Syracuse. Utica is 30-45 minutes northeast, Syracuse is roughly 60 minutes northwest. Not very convenient, but how many times will you make the trip to Hamilton from there? Probably not more than once or twice, so consider it a nice scenic drive. Both Utica and Syracuse (and the latter especially) have a few good hotels and motels which Trip Adviser will recommend. I’d drive up the Thruway to either city (it does add some additional time, of course), stay the night in a decent place, and then drive down to Colgate the next day bright and early. </p>
<p>When we dropped our daughter off two years ago, we stayed in Utica at the Radisson Hotel which was perfectly nice even if Utica itself is one serious dump of a city. We ate there and meals were all right, but I’d look into eating elsewhere if possible. Breakfast was a buffet that got us filled and on our way quickly. The rooms were clean and modern and other than a marginal parking situation and a lousy neighborhood it was fine. The entire city of Utica is a Gilded Age leftover that is slowly decaying but fun to look around at since some of the architecture is pretty impressive – but the whole area is one you’ll be glad to leave behind. As long as you’re just sleeping there, who cares? It’s safe, clean, and perfectly nice. </p>
<p>There may be one or two other decent hotel/motels in the Utica area. Syracuse has many more, many around its airport, but some good ones closer to downtown. Good luck with your exciting drive up and your days in the Colgate area. It’s something you’ll really enjoy if you focus on the university itself and don’t pay too much attention to the other details.</p>
<p>Cooperstown might be a nice place to stay the night before; not too far from Colgate.</p>
<p>I prefer to stay in Cooperstown which would only add about 30 min. on to the drive. I don’t really want to go North or NW which is even further away especially to Utica where the neighborhood isn’t great and we have a car load of belongings. Any specific suggestions from anyone who stayed there before?</p>
<p>I would also suggest that you look at Norwich which is only about 25 minutes south of Colgate. The colgate.edu/about/hamiltonarea/lodging page gives some information that may be helpful.</p>
<p>Further to my last message, I have heard good things about the Turningstone Resort, a big hotel complex in Verona, about 35 minutes from Colgate to the north past Oneida. Its zip is 13478 for Mapquest directions.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. I know I can pick from a long list on Colgate’s website but was looking for specific recommendations based on personal experiences. I know there are plenty of students coming from Long Island, NYC, etc. Anyone stay in Cooperstown or Norwich?</p>
<p>We did the drive up and back same day for drop off. We got to Colgate about 10:00 a.m. and by 4:00, they want the parents on their way and orientation activities begin. </p>
<p>I have stayed in Cooperstown a number of times. There’s the Otesaga (huge hotel on the lake), The Cooper Inn and Inn at Cooperstown (both small high end hotels), and a number of other hotels and motels (Holiday Inn/Best Western). There are also some nice inns in Cazenovia - we never stayed there but had dinner there several times with our son and his friends.</p>
<p>Another vote here for Norwich from a Long Islander. Convenient, clean, inexpensive, not too far away and lots of people with stuffed to the gills SUVs. It will be a busy weekend, and you’ll be dashing out to get stuff for his dorm room, so it’s nice to be able to get back late without a long ride ahead of you. Save the nice places (check out Cazenovia!) for later more relaxed trips and when you want to have an adventure with your son, take him out to a nice restaurant etc.</p>
<p>we’ll probably do it all on 1 day. Just in case, any specific suggestions in Norwich?</p>
<p>The Howard Johnson in Norwich.</p>
<p>I also suggest that you make your parents’ weekend plans asap. Everything books up really fast. Our D is graduating next month and we made our reservations for graduation weekend over a year in advance. Enjoy your time at Colgate – it’s so much fun!!</p>