The Gray Barn at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary — Hotel in Town of Rochester

It is difficult to put to words how special this experience was: the quality of this Inn is spectacular but there's far more to it. I'll start with the less emotional aspects. First, the Inn is breathtaking inside, including the views to the outside. The architecture (the high and gorgeous ceilings, the tall and bright windows, etc.) is riveting and built to what appears the highest quality. If you look at photos online, and admire them, this is what it looks like but better. The inside is engaging (the gas or electric working wood stove/fireplace, the comfortable and striking furniture, the books to read and the board games shelved for use) is magical. The kitchen? Gorgeous and as woodsy and pretty as any you'll see in a luxury home, with a CLEAN refrigerator filled with vegan creamers, and stacked handmade mugs with an electric tea kettle and assortment of teas. The rooms had comfortable pillows, towels, bedding, all top notch (and I hear purchased from Parachute!). And last, the vegan homemade breakfast was...well, let me say it would be a dream to eat like this daily. A thoughtfully made frittata, freshly made smoothy, and scallion scone awaited all of us at 8:30am. But here's the thing that goes to the emotional level. This is an Inn that supports the operations of an animal sanctuary. You are investing and caring for the work that is happening there day to day. These are animals who come from backgrounds not fit for polite or joyful conversation; here they are safe and treated with the upmost respect and the most love and care. There are opportunities to learn about and engage with every species, including practices around them that you may never have known and would not condone. But the energy is always light, welcoming, and positive -- the sanctuary is not heavy handed in its approach to information though the reality is difficult. But back to the Inn: some of their living and departed animals (called "residents") have been photographed and applied to large canvas boards and profiled around the Inn. The rooms are named after/in honor of some of their residents. This is profound and if you are not moved when you are here, including moved to take action and support farmed animals on a different level, well....I don't have much to say on that. Thank you to everyone there for making this one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I look forward to...

My partner and I spent our anniversary here, and it was perfect. Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is one of the hardest working and well-oiled sanctuaries in the country, so the pretty penny we paid felt good, knowing it was going into what they do.

The Gray Barn was very modern and beautiful, with a wide open common area and huge windows with a deck to admire the view of the goat pasture from. We had the Agnes room, which was smaller than your average hotel room but very cozy with a particularly nice shower and complimentary vegan hygiene products. It was so nice to know nothing there was tested on animals, and that the blankets and pillows weren’t filled with down or anything. We took advantage of the opportunity to stroll around the grounds and admire the animal residents, many of whom eagerly will greet you.

The inn is extremely quiet and serene, being out in the country and all. I did worry that the other couple staying there could hear our every move and word.

The next morning, hospitality coordinator Rena somehow made breakfast without making a single sound. I watched her for a second from the second floor overlook and she was so quiet! She made flawless pancakes and a nice kale, sausage, and fruit hash, and was just a really nice presence and someone to chat with. She made me feel so welcomed.

This was a magical place and we will definitely be back. Celebrating our relationship in such a relaxing and intimate setting, and surrounded by animals living free from suffering, was...

As a long time vegan and a huge fan of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, I was super excited to visit and meet the animals. Staying at the Gray Barn was a five stars experience for sure. The place is absolutely beautiful, fresh, simple and clean. Our room was on the second floor and we got to see the tiniest herd a couple of times enjoying the sun and playing around, which was super special. We woke up with the sound of thousands of birds having a party and the sunshine reflecting on the lake in front of the barn. It was pure bliss. Leigh took care of us even before arriving by being super responsive through phone and email. When we got there she gave us the tour around the sanctuary and was so nice and patient with our thousand questions and emotional moments. She is also an amazing cook! We also learned that profits from the gray barn go directly to the sanctuary which makes it a perfect excuse (not that you need one!) to come here and support the beautiful work they are doing. I cannot recommend this experience enough and I cannot wait...