The Pines Inn Lake Placid

There was no check-in or check-out person, and the place had so many problems. Both TVs were there but neither worked because they weren't connected to the system. The furniture looked like it came from Goodwill and didn't work; the light fixtures weren't plugged in because there were no outlets. Wallpaper was torn, and there were holes in the walls and ceiling. This could be a cute place, but it would take several million dollars to clean it up. Awful experience. I think they rent rooms by the hour. Do NOT stay here.

Getting to the rooms was a struggle: from outside, reaching the "1st floor" meant climbing 27 steps on staircases so narrow and cramped I could only carry one suitcase at a time. The room itself was freezing through the night during a sub-zero snowstorm, even with the thermostat turned all the way up. Cold air rushed in through cracks along the window sills and around the windows in the walls, overpowering the small heater beneath a window. Given that, I think State authorities should shut the building down. There was no receptionist or staff around at night or early morning, and no clear sign telling guests who to contact for help. We picked up our keys and returned them in envelopes at an empty front desk. There seemed to be many vacant rooms, but no way to ask for a different one or find out if they were just as cold. This place absolutely deserves zero stars. Google Maps should offer that option.

The cracks around the windows let the cold pour in, so the rooms were freezing during sub-zero weather. There was nobody working nights or early mornings, at least as far as I could tell. Filthy, noisy, cold. It's a disgrace, and I wouldn't put my worst enemy through it. Jill should be ashamed. Don't make the mistake of booking here.

The location is prime, just a short walk from Main St and Mirror Lake, but it felt like nobody cared for the property. Our street-facing room had no blinds or curtains, so we had to spend time rigging up our own out of towels and pillowcases. That was when the lack of basic privacy and safety really got to me. Before that, I was willing to put up with the stained carpet, no elevator, broken TV, and lack of staff. You're paying for the location, and that's it.