Hotel Saranac Curio Collection By Hilton

I booked because I needed sleep before another long day, and the bass from a ballroom event was vibrating through the hotel. Loud people outside had already been going on for hours, with a few more hours expected. The front desk couldn’t do anything. I wouldn’t have made or kept the reservation if I’d been told there’d be a loud party. If you sleep through bass in your chest or stay up late, you may be fine, but ask specific questions before booking if this matters to you. I was hoping to get to bed by midnight, assuming the partygoers wouldn’t bring the noise back to their rooms. I didn’t want to give a low rating because the restaurant is fantastic and the bar is great, though they don’t serve food at the bar. The rooms are clean, comfortable and spacious. The decor and amenities are nice, and the restaurant deserves a visit, but they couldn’t make up for the lost sleep, so this trip gets two stars. Also, mobility can be an issue here. With the ballroom closed for an event, you have to use stairs to reach an elevator. When it’s open, getting to your room without stairs involves some navigating and changing elevators.

The building is charming but old, and having just one elevator for guests added some inconvenience. I chose the property because it was part of The Hotel Collection through the American Express Platinum Card and I have Hilton Honors Gold status, but I didn’t get to enjoy the benefits that factored into booking. At arrival, the front desk said they’d check for an upgrade and let me know, but I never heard back. I’d requested late checkout when booking and followed up the day before and again Sunday at 8:30 AM, but was told there was no availability. I understand benefits depend on availability, but it was disappointing not to receive them. Breakfast at Campfire around 9 AM Sunday was difficult too. My daughter and I waited about 20 minutes to speak with a server, then learned the wait would be another 30 minutes because of limited staff, despite several empty tables. We were told to try nearby restaurants, which made it hard to use the $130 credit included with the booking. The stay didn’t meet my expectations, and I’d likely choose somewhere else next time.

The staff were wonderful and helpful, and we loved the hotel’s amenities. We had a couples massage in the Spa, probably the best massage I’ve ever had, and we’ll definitely be back. The room was very small, with a tiny bathroom. My husband and I couldn’t even walk through the room at the same time. The walls were thin too, so I could hear everything, which is a big deal for a light sleeper like me. The hotel itself is so beautiful.

The hotel is historic, clean and well appointed, with attentive staff, a friendly welcome, a nice location and good amenities. There are charming bits of history and information to discover around the building. The views are great and it’s easy to get around on foot. The attached restaurant was a letdown: the food was expensive, slow to arrive and lackluster, and its staff were less friendly than the hotel team. I highly recommend the hotel, but would head into town for meals.