Yankee Pedlar Inn

I really liked the little pub tucked behind the hotel, and the downtown location made it easy to get to restaurants, the winter theatre, and plenty of other things around town. The room had a cute, old New England feel and was clean. Staff were friendly and accommodating, too. It isn't the cheapest place to stay, but I thought the extra cost was worth it for somewhere clean and free of bugs.

The staff seemed friendly enough, and at least the price was low. There’s a busy restaurant and bar right across the street, since the one on site has been closed for a while. The building is very old and looked like it hadn’t had any updates: cracked walls, old sinks and showers that made us a little nervous about showering, plus a musty smell. The floors and doorways sloped badly. They’re supposed to start renovations soon, so maybe that’ll help. I guess you get what you pay for.

We left upset with the whole stay. I was there for my brother’s wedding with my parents and two sisters. We had two rooms, each with two double beds. On the second day, the owner confronted my mother, who had booked the rooms, and said she was lying and trying to cheat him because there were five adults, though he thought four beds meant there should only be four adults. He spent the rest of our stay lurking around and counting us, which felt creepy. The inn had an authentic atmosphere, but the service was pretty horrible, and there were no extra comforts like a fridge or microwave.

The rooms were reasonably well cared for, and Room #356 felt spacious for an economy room thanks to its high ceilings. The bathrooms were clean and nice. I only took off a star because the vacuuming around the edges and furniture wasn't done carefully. The lobby feels welcoming, with a piano and fireplace, and Ms. Conley's chair is there but reserved just for her. The elevator feels like another step back in time since an attendant has to operate it. I walked into a hornet's nest on Wednesday night for the CT premiere of The Innkeepers. The staff stayed polite and cheerful and seemed used to handling big events. The movie was really good, too. The hotel was built in 1891, and the owners are preserving its historic, haunted character. If you're after a box hotel with a gym, pool, and all the usual amenities, Yankee Pedlar probably isn't for you. But for clean rooms, personable staff, a downtown Torrington location in beautiful country, and a building with loads of character and atmosphere, it fits the bill.