The Baker House 1650, East Hampton

Our room, The Hedges, was extraordinarily noisy and too small for comfort, with dingy and worn out furnishings and a most uninviting old stained bath tub with dripping tap and filthy soap container caked with layers of previous usage. The bed is so-so. The terrace was non too clean, bare but for one wooden bench, and bordering on the very busy main road, too noisy to make phone calls on my cell (I had no reception indoors). The only really nearby restaurant does not serve lunch, so one is forced to go to the village centre, a not very interesting fifteen minute walk on the pavement along the busy main road. During the second night it started to rain heavily, with a similar forecast. Our room was so unsuitable for pleasant lingering or dvd-watching during bad weather, and the collective sitting area downstairs was taken up in both space as well as noise level by a family with a baby on a huge play blanket spread out on the middle of the floor, a big stroller, bags and toys. No pleasant reading or conversation possible! So we made plane reservations to depart prematurely. When I informed the staff, the only reactions we got were: 1) As long as you realize you will not be reimbursed for the 5 remaining nights unless we fill the vacancy and 2) Have you used anything from the mini bar. No kind questions, no commiserations, nothing but cold hearted money-related matters. And, incidentally, where was that sumptious breakfast? It was not bad, it was basic and sound, but no more than that. And why was it impossible to get me the gluten free bread I had been promised in word and in writing? I found it was for ample sale at the local supermarket, in a variety of flavours, no problem whatsoever. The deck chair towels had big yellow stains. The shampoo had not been replenished which my husband discovered when he was already under the shower. And all this for 900 dollars a night! Scandalous. NB There are also positive sides. Two staff members were kind and helpful. The garden is beautiful and pleasant. The guest area on the ground floor is nicely furnished. There is plenty of reading material. The help yourself bar system is informal and sympathetic. There is ample parking. Rene & Margriet Scholten Krijgsman, The Hague, Netherlands

There are new owners who have added a lot of nice touches. The spa is hidden in the basement and the backyard opens up to a lovely garden. You will not be disappointed.