FORESTBURGH, NY — From a business standpoint, owning a bed and breakfast is not necessarily how you will make your fortune. On the other hand, if you want to incorporate this experience to enhance your lifestyle, this might be a perfect fit.

For Rom and Maria Gupta, who relished stays at inns and B&Bs, owning and operating this type of property was right up their alley. In fact, Maria attests to always hosting parties and special events for occasions like Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s—or any reason to entertain—as part of how they live. 

There are many benefits, she said, especially inn ownership as a way to stay engaged socially. The Guptas see the inn as an extension of their lives, in which everyone is treated like family. Perhaps this is most apparent at mealtimes, when people sit around conversing with one another, establishing a camaraderie that makes one feel at home.

Do you believe in coincidences? Maybe Maria does now, after she said she “bumped into this inn listing on the internet,” while looking up inns for sale. The location was perfect, offering a traveling distance for both sides of the family within a two-hour radius. And considering that their five adult boys were not so far away for visiting purposes, what more could they ask for?

After just three months of ownership, the Guptas appear to have everything under control.

The expanded continental buffet breakfast offers a wide range of food, from fruit, yogurt, baked goods and cereal to cold cuts, cheeses and a hot offering, along with freshly brewed coffee every morning. Then there are all-day snacks available: fruits, nuts, cookies and tea or coffee. The inn offers gluten-free bread, oat milk and anything else someone may need, and Maria states, “The goal is to give you the best I am capable of.” 

Along those lines, there is a check-off list of two pages for the cleaning crew to ensure everything is picture-perfect. The full-time general manager and maintenance staff ensure the smooth operations of the inn.

In discussing guests’ reasons for coming to the inn, the Guptas believe people come to relax in the quiet of the beautiful 26-acre estate park-like grounds. Whether sitting out by the pool or fire pit or walking many of the trails, nature’s music can be heard, compliments of the many birds who have flocked to the statuesque trees. 

Last but not least, there is access to the serene 250-acre non-motorboat lake, Lake Joseph; the inn has its own lake frontage with boats and life jackets. 

Whether fishing with catch and release or just gliding along the rippling water, the pristine lake is an incomparable asset.

The plans are already underway for upgrading the former vacation destination of Cardinal Hayes, dating back to the late 1800s. The various lodges on the property offer multiple large suites, each with its own bathroom, fireplace and private deck reflecting the beautiful bucolic countryside views. These different options allow you to experience a different kind of stay whenever you come—or just choose what resonates most for you.

Among the upgrades taking place are a restaurant, lounge areas with fireplaces and entertainment, an old-fashioned bar, a cozy library with an array of books, an indoor game room, an outdoor activity area and a tranquil garden—to name a few. Other work embarked on includes new floors, paint, all-new beds and period furniture. The Guptas are also creating a new website to showcase all they are offering.

In this short time, the Guptas are doing what they love best and have even held a fundraising event for the Forestburgh Playhouse, a local theater located just five minutes from the inn. 

As the new innkeepers, the Guptas are no doubt living the adage: If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. 

Their version of paradise awaits you.

Check it out at www.lakejoseph.com.

The Inn at Lake Joseph is located at 162 Saint Joseph Road, Forestburgh, NY.

To reach the Inn, email contact@lakejoseph.com or call 845/791-9506.