Chautauqua Harbor Hotel - Jamestown

The lake view and grounds are beautiful, and the bellhop was very friendly and welcoming. Service at dinner was rough: we waited 15 minutes just to order drinks, then another 10 for them to arrive. The salad took an hour even though we asked for it before the entree, and the two meals took over an hour. The menu is very limited, too. I might give it another try for lunch, but probably not dinner.

The restaurant and bar staff were friendly, the dinner salads were great, and our room was fairly comfortable. It was quiet in winter, and we had a nice lake view. The morning coffee and tea situation was a hassle. We drink decaf, but had to go to the first floor to find it. There wasn't any decaf tea on the third floor, and what we found downstairs tasted terrible. We ordered and paid for tea in the restaurant later, and that was much better. There are no Keurigs in the rooms, so you're on your own to find coffee or tea in the morning. The pool is small, and a family was splashing around while we were there. The hot tub wasn't hot, either. We were told at the front desk every day for three days that we'd get turn-down service, but it never happened. For the price, management needs to work out these kinks. I only got an apology email and no credit for the stay. That's not good customer service.

We picked this hotel for our Jamestown trip to see the Lucy & Desi Museum and the National Comedy Center. It's a short drive rather than a walk to the attractions, but the off-season deal made the stay affordable and enjoyable. Check-in was easy, and we paid extra for a balcony with a sunset view. It was cold, but the water views were worth it. The place is very well kept, and we often saw staff cleaning. The gym was clean and well equipped. There are multiple gas fire pits and a putting green, along with a restaurant/lounge, seasonal outdoor pool with a carousel bar, and indoor pool and hot tub. The indoor pool was clean and comfortably in the 80s. The hot tub had a strong chemical smell and too many foaming bubbles, and the pool-area doors could use some TLC. Aside from those things, everything was awesome. In the morning, complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were nice, especially with honey available. Summer rates can triple, though the facility's quality helps explain why it's popular. If you carry a water thermos and want cold water, there's a bottle filler in the gym by the pool.

What stood out most was how kind and helpful the staff were from the moment we walked in. The rooms are amazing, the views spectacular, and the food outstanding. It's also the cleanest, most comfortable stay away from home, just terrific all around. You can put on a complimentary robe and use the jacuzzi tub in your room or take a dip in the hotel pool. Grab some complimentary Starbucks coffee in the morning, too. What a wonderful group of people working there. Just a perfect stay!