More Old ThanOld Fashioned
Conveniently located near all the major attractions including the racetrack, dance museum and shopping, the Inn touts itself as history refurbished. The overall effect is a mixed bag.
First, the service is friendly and enthusiastic when you get it. I had to wait over 1/2 hour to check in. Similarly, I had to wait over ten minutes to be seated at the near empty dining room. However, the staff in both the restaurant and lounge were quite pleasant and helpful. One night, the assistant manager was serving in the dining room and was an absolute delight. Her knowledge of the menu and wine suggestions were outstanding. However, while the food is good, it is on the pricey side. The menu was unusual-alot of tamarind and root vegetables- and a bit heavy for summer. The first night I dined there, the unpleasant oder of garbage permeated the room.
Patrons are also able to dine outdoors as well as in the lounge. The charm of dining on the main drag of Saratoga was lost on me.
The Inn offer a complimentary breakfast which features hot and cold offerings. My first breakfast there was great but the second was not--the hot offering, a version of a crossandwich , was greasy and unappealing and I was reduced to eating cold cereal.
My room was absolutely hideous with garish striped wall paper clashing with hideous floral wall paper. I was on the second floor, overlooking the unattractive parking lot. The spotlight was blinding and I had to pull down the shades and pull the curtains as well as shut the bathroom door so I could sleep. The bed was not terribly comfortable but the bathroom was bright and clean.My room was stifling hot but there was a small window air conditioner. It was very noisy but did eventually cool off the room. The hallways were dingy and the maid service did not pick up the room service trays left outside the rooms. The sight and smell of them became progressively more unappealing. The carpets and hallways were dingy and there is no gift shop or courtesy store where one could purchase memorabilia or toiletries. The decorators appear to be conflicted as to style. The wall paper and the framed artwork tend to clash. There is a statue of a horse outside which is a nice touch but inside there are mannequins dressed in a grubby Victorian fashion blocking a door to the restaurant. The free internet service is in the open by the restaurant and the elevators are very slow. Parking is free in the small lot surrounding the inn.
Saratoga springs is a great location with many interesting things to do and see. However, the Inn does not live up to its billing and was, despite some bright spots, an overpriced disappointment.