<p>Taking D up to look around in August. I would like to stay at the nicest place (read best impression) I can find around Colgate. Is the Colgate Inn the place to stay or is there a nicer place within reasonable proximity to Colgate?</p>
<p>I checked when I was there for admit students day, they were full for drop off days.They were also full for parents weekend. I found another place in Hamilton for drop off days. For parents weekend, it took me two days of calling places before I found somewhere 30 minutes away to stay. I used Colgate's list of hotels and B & B's to find a place.
Colgate Inn is a very nice old hotel with small quaint rooms, though, for some other visit.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Colgate Inn is the best place to stay - right on the edge of campus; across from the bookstore.</p>
<p>Uhm....I'm not sure why or how the Colgate Inn (or anyplace you stay) is going to change your D's impression of Colgate. It's a hotel in the center of town, walking distance from campus.</p>
<p>Truth is, Colgate itself, the campus, makes a great impression. So does walking around the the clean, quaint, goodlooking town (unless you feel the need for a metropolis). It's very different from all the other small towns you pass through getting there.</p>
<p>Whereever you stay, it's likely to be the getting there, depending on her preferences, that may make a less favorable impression. If you come up from Rt 17 you pass through about an hour to hour and a half of very rurual farming country. That can concern someone from more urban or suburban areas who is apprehensive about remoteness. Coming the other way, from the Thruway, is not much better. Rt 23 from Albany, skirting Cooperstown, Howe Caverns and the Cherry Valley is marginally more interesting.</p>
<p>It is often difficult to get into the mind of a 17 year old. Suffice it to say that gyms, pools, and even wirelesss connections at hotels leave a lasting impression as well. As it turns out, everything was booked and we are staying outside of New Hartford, near Hamilton College. I did no realize that there were any viable alternatives to getting to Colgate from Long Island other than Rte 17 to Deposit and then North. Is the Albany route as quick?</p>
<p>The Albany route is slightly longer but in marginal weather an easier drive. The speed limit is 55 on Route 17 for much of the route; it's 65 most of the Albany route (Thruway to Route 20 west from Albany).</p>
<p>Is your D thinking of applying ED to Colgate? She should really come in the fall :) Now that's when you really need to book ahead!</p>
<p>It's okay and perfectly normal to be shut out from Colgate Inn- my grandparents wound up being on a waiting list for a non-sporting event weekend (?!) but believe me, the town and the campus themselves are enough to make a lasting impression on them. They forgot all about not being able to stay at Colgate Inn!</p>
<p>And those are the type of people that you really have to make excellent first impresson with :)</p>
<p>We're staying at the Hamilton Inn that is being re-named in August, if that helps</p>
<p>When we visited Colgate during October the campus was awash in Fall colors and friendly students. My D fell in love with the kids and the school. We stayed at a drop dead beautiful B&B called The Guest House at Weathervane Farm. It was one of the best B&B's we ever stayed in. The hosts are Colgate alum and are super. The rooms were gorgeous and food great. Book early! It was in Hamilton, a few blocks from the campus. Great country location for walking.</p>
<p>Dana's Dad</p>
<p>Route 20 west from Albany).]]</p>
<p>Don't speed. The small towns are speed trap havens. I paid my fair share of tickets :(</p>