White Springs Manor — Hotel in Town of Geneva

The most ridiculous lodging experience of my life...

I'll keep it short(ish) since I don't even like to read 1-Star Reviews, let alone write them:

Drove 4 hours for a great weekend

Made Belhurst our last stop of the day to enjoy the ambiance and get checked in to our room at their sister location, White Springs Manor

Were given a key that opened the wrong room, where people were staying (my bad for not checking the room name a 2nd time...but why did it open another room? Staff was shocked to find out...I was shocked by the staff being shocked) - imagine walking into your room at 10pm and finding other people there?

#awkward

Anyway, call the front desk.

Front desk says "really sorry, come back, we're fully-booked so we'll put you up at another hotel on the lack, minimum 4-stars AND refund your stay"

Cool, we've got a plan and that's reasonable.

Get back to the desk, the story changes.

After 30 minutes of back and forth, refusal by the staff to take ownership and find a resolution, are finally given another room.

Wait...you said you were fully-booked?

Where did this magical room come from?

Why not just give me that and save us all the trouble?

Anyway.

Stay the night, accomodations were fine.

Fast forward to the next morning...

Knock on the door. Who could it be?

A messenger from the Manager - Scott.

"Scott would like you to call him"

Sure thing.

I call Scott.

Scott is QUITE proud to announce he has video evidence that disproves my story of someone else being in the room.

Huh?

After totally mishandling the situation, you want to try and embarass me the day after?

Ummmm...okay.

I'm not interested in Round 2 of confrontation so just drop the key at the desk and try to leave.

Staff is argumentative and insist I wait for Scott.

Scott comes and tries to "school" me in his sick cellphone video skills.

I show Scott the pictures of someone elses bags

Scott proclaims "that's a different room than where you were supposed to be!"

Ummm...okay? My bad?

Maybe YOUR bad that this key opened that room?

Seems simple.

"Hey Scott, the whole thing was handled poorly, probably a training opportunity here" at which Scott becomes infuriated and I leave to drive 4 hours home after the most ridiculous lodging story of my life.

But wait - there's more!

THEN they charged me twice for the room and refuse to respond about the double charge.

The ambiance is lovely, the staff is dreadful and if weren't a seasonal tourist destination it would never survive on its own merit.

Great IPA though and wine was pretty good...

Besides the bat, and wasps…. This place has a lovely setting, yet you can barely take advantage of its best feature—outside! There are 4 dirty old Adirondack chairs overlooking the lovely orchard and distant views of lake Seneca. The porch is littered with bird droppings and there was a wasps nest at the base of one of the large pillars. There was a sign posted by the door warning guests so it’s not as if management is unaware. They just have no intention of addressing. All rendering the access to outdoor relaxation or that morning coffee/evening cocktail impossible. As for the interior, lest say, unless you enjoy musty old carpets, moldy smelling interiors, windows that don’t open to allow for fresh air in, or bats…you best not stay here. The room was spacious, king sized bed was comfortable & mattress in good condition. But, otherwise the room & bathroom were in bad need of a major makeover. We personally found the jacuzzi tub in the middle of the room odd, if not outright tacky. In addition the oddity of checking in down the street at the lovely Bellhurst Castle, and then letting yourselves into an unmanned large old home, with visibly dirty hallway carpets, really felt like the orphan building in a portfolio of properties. Clearly management is stretched and hasn’t given this orphan property the attention to detail, upkeep or thoughtful hospitality you receive at the Bellhurst. To boot, you have to drive down to the Bellhurst to return your keys and settle your bill in the morning. That is not guest service when I have to drive to you so that you can check me out of your establishment. Some may find it quaint, we found it lacking. And, the room was NOT cheap. (Update, just after midnight) there is a bat flying around the hallways. OMG. Time for management to rethink their approach to this property & give it the attention it requires & your guests deserve. Will not stay again. Do...

This is my 5:45 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. review of the Playhouse behind White Springs Manor (I should be sleeping).

OVERALL VERDICT: DO NOT STAY HERE. I was awake from 4:30 a.m. on wondering if a rat or squirrel was going to start running through the house!!!!

SHORT VERSION First impression on the Internet:Wow! First impression on arrival: adorable 😍 First impression after walking in: uhhh, hmmm, cute? Wait... What is that? Impression after 3 a.m. I don't want to be here.

LONG VERSION

PROS -5 minute drive from mostly everything. -Cabin location is amazing. -Bathroom is beautiful.. -Cute fridge with freezer. -TVs in the rooms and main area. -Set back in a well maintained grass area on a hill. -Charming, kind of (read on...)

CONS You will feel like you are going to be INVADED -Spotted a mouse in the front area floor HVAC vent by the door 4:45 a m. -4:30 a.m. to dawn: SQUIRRELS IN THE ROOF. Not on it, IN IT. -CRITTERS running throughout the foundation, and partially down the inner wall of the first bedroom. -6:15 Critter chewing on the outter wall in the first bedroom near the porch .

-Halfway crevices are dirty. -Musty smell (Expected if this was a state park a cabin, BUT NOT FOR$200/night at a premiere location). -I had to secure the place before we left for the evening (that's the Marine in me): many of the windows were unlocked, broken latches and most were drywall screwed shut.

In summary: If you are a light sleeper: Don't stay here This place would freak out the timid.

Expectations are high because of the history, location and presentation, but the servere out dated carpet, terrible windows, and the mostly concerning NUMEROUS animals running throughout makes it difficult to want...