The Alander — Hotel in Town of Copake

My wife and I had booked The Alander for a 3-night stay to attend a wedding in the area.

Here is a summary of our experience at the hotel:

Check In: easy and contactless Room: Queen size bed and cramped. The small air conditioning unit could hardly keep up and the room got very warm at times even at the lowest setting. We called once and someone showed up and cleaned the clogged air filter but it did not help much. We felt that the air conditioning unit was inadequate for this room. A fan was provided but when it was plugged it it tripped the circuit powering the fridge and TV. We had to call again to get that resolved and did not plug in the fan after that. Cleaning: The room was not cleaned even once during our stay and we had to request some fresh towels. Strange: We were awakened on all three nights around 1:00AM with load bangs coming from under the floor, and loud footsteps as though someone was walking in our room. We did not see anyone outside or inside and the whole experience felt very eerie. Lighting: The room could have some additional lights. It is pretty dark at night and the two bedside lamps are not sufficient. Parking: Ample parking but all gravel. One of the guest's cars had a sudden blowout. Bathroom: Clean and comfortable. Well lit with an overhead light/exhaust fan that worked well. Breakfast: Complimentary granola with locally sourced yogurt. We liked the granola, but did not taste the plain yogurt. The nearest diner or breakfast place is about 10 miles away and only opens at 7AM.

Overall it is at an ideal location to many attractions/trains/falls nearby and easily accessible. There were a lot of deer on the roads, so...

Our weekend escape to The Alander was nothing short of magical, a true five-star experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was seamless. The check-in process was a breeze, and we were pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and comfort of our room.

The staff, especially Jason, Reid, and Sherry, were outstanding. They went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, making us feel special and well-cared-for. The attention to detail in the service was remarkable.

The in-room entertainment options were excellent, with a TV that offered a wide variety of channels and shows. But the real highlight was the fire pit. The option to choose between wood and propane was a thoughtful touch, and it added a cozy, memorable element to our evenings.

Dining at the attached North Star Restaurant was a culinary delight, clearly deserving its own five-star rating. The snacks and coffee provided by The Alander were well thought out, adding an extra layer of comfort to our stay.

What truly set this getaway apart was the personalized local guide sent to us upon booking. It was incredibly helpful and enriched our experience, allowing us to explore the best the area has to offer.

Our stay at The Alander was undoubtedly one of our favorite weekend getaways from the city. The two-hour drive was well worth the experience of tranquility and exceptional hospitality we encountered. We're already planning our return to this charming retreat. A big thank you to the entire team at The Alander for making our stay...

The Alander's online presence belies its real-time offerings. The rooms are dark and starting to get a bit dingy. The owners are nice but less than accommodating. I understand it's a tough business with tight margins. However, they charged extra for an early check in and the room wasn't quite ready, all the goodies and beverages they leave for you (from Ramen to wine) are all extra (except coffee and tea), they charge extra for bringing a dog, but the room wasn't particularly clean.||Their restaurant, the North Star, was less than stellar as well. We ordered a burger, which was served literally raw inside. We asked to have it cooked a bit more. We got back the same burger as a charcoal briquet. Not what we expected from all the hubbub about this restaurant.||And lastly, we had to leave early due to not feeling well--this was clearly not a place to be ill. It was an unexpected turn of events, and Reid said they would open the room up for re-booking, and if booked, we’d get some of our money back. Well, at 4:20 pm that day (see photo), it was still showing as booked. Again, I understand the tight margins, but if you charge extra for everything, and don’t live up to your claims, and it is Christmas Eve, and your guests have to leave due to illness, I would expect a bit more kindness and at least an attempt to accommodate these unforeseen circumstances. And at the very least, honesty about re-opening up the room. This was a very expensive travel lesson.||The Alander has a way to go to live up to its advertising....