CHIPPEWA BAY - Singer Castle has been named as a top destination by the state Tourism Council.

Located on Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River off the town of Hammond, the castle was chosen as the eighth most exciting place to stay on the I Love New York’s Most Exciting Ways to Stay list this month.

Built in the early 1900s by Frederick Bourne, president of the singer Sewing Machine Company, the castle was chosen for offering “a taste of the gilded age” and an “opulent hunting retreat,” according to the New York State Tourism website.

For $720 a night, visitors who stay in the Royal Suite receive a catered dinner and a personal tour of the castle, complete with hidden passageways and dungeons.

Last year, the castle had 91 bookings for their Royal Suite. Dark Island Tours Inc. expects to surpass that mark this year, company President Thomas A. Weldon said Thursday.

“It’s a pretty unique accommodation, and it’s neat to be able to offer it to local visitors and travelers,” said Mr. Weldon. “We’ve had people from as far as Germany, Texas, Arizona, Florida and Sweden stay in our suite.”

Dark Island Tours is currently working with Canadian Sen. Robert Runciman, Leeds-Grenville member of Provincial Parliament, and U.S. Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, to establish a point of entry on Dark Island.

“It would definitely help the region again, especially the Canadians that come from Brockville, who are right at our backdoor,” said Mr. Weldon. “Right now, many boaters have to stop at Alexandria Bay before they can come to the island.”

Mr. Weldon said the company is also refurbishing its tea room, and hopes to open the room to the public next year for monthly teas.

“It’s such an honor to have this distinction, and to be able to offer a wonderful bit of history for people that come on our tours,” said Mr. Weldon.

For more information about Singer Castle, visit singercastle.com.

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:

• Watertown Daily Times
• The Ogdensburg Journal
• Daily Courier-Observer