Chamber Lane Motel

The owners live right on site, so when you need something, they take care of it quickly. They even rearranged rooms during a busy concert weekend so I could stay for two weeks. I was after a simple, comfortable room at a very reasonable price, and that’s exactly what I found. The place has a lovely old-fashioned seaside motel feel, with well-kept grounds, picnic tables under umbrellas, and Round Lake right outside the door. There’s no pool, hot tub, gym, or spa, but the public boat launch is just across the street and Malta’s main shops are about five minutes away. If you remember family trips to motels in the ’60s, this place will feel familiar.

We come back each racing season, like plenty of other guests. It’s an affordable spot, the owners are welcoming, and Saratoga Race Course is about ten minutes away, with lots of restaurants nearby. When we’d rather stay in, there’s a yard with grills to use. Round Lake across the street is especially lovely at sunrise. Great place.

Back for my second stay at the Chamberlane, and I’ll come again. It’s a rustic place with small cabins, but they’re nicely decorated, the beds are comfortable, the shower is good, and there’s cable TV. The owners are friendly and ready to help with whatever you need.

I decided not to stay because the room was old, smelled strongly of mold and mildew, and had what looked like World War II era furnishings. They were asking $90. I was shocked when I arrived, and there were no other guests’ cars there. I’d booked over the phone, supposedly as a secured booking, and the woman wouldn’t give me a full refund. She charged my card $50 even though I never stayed, copied my driver’s license and kept it on file, and now has my bank card number too, which makes me uncomfortable. The lake is across the highway, but it isn’t a beach or anything like that. See the place in person before booking. I’d go elsewhere.