Chautauqua Harbor Hotel - Jamestown

I had the pleasure of staying at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Jamestown, New York, on October 8th and 9th, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the kindness and professionalism of the staff. The hotel was beautifully maintained, exceptionally clean, comfortable, and welcoming. The lovely rooms and beautiful views made my stay even more enjoyable. The staff went above and beyond, offering helpful recommendations for local hiking and things to do in the area. What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional service I received after my departure. I accidentally left my AirPods behind, and the staff handled their return with remarkable efficiency and care. They promptly contacted me, verified my information, kept me informed, and arranged to mail them back. Their attention to detail and genuine concern were greatly appreciated. It’s refreshing to experience hospitality where the staff truly cares about their guests, even after they’ve checked out. I highly recommend the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel for its beautiful setting, wonderful accommodations, and, most importantly, its outstanding staff. I would gladly stay here again!

My spouse and I decided to spend four nights to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in mid September 2026. We have frequently stayed at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen and always found it to be exceptional. This time things were different. It was a lovely setting and the hotel was very clean. However, we experienced issues from day one. Upon arrival, our safe did not work and we had to go to the front desk. It was like pulling teeth to get new towels, washcloths, toilet paper, and trash removal every day. Even though we put the door hanger out to request those items, we had to go to the front desk each day. We tried telephoning guest service from our room, but no one picked up. At one point, our TV quit. Again, we had to go to the desk. While the mattresses and pillows were exceptional, the sheets were thread bear. On our last night, we went to the bar where there were many other patrons. It appeared the bartender was out cleaning tables on the outside patio. There were many empty, dirty glasses on the bar top. We waited for a period of time for him to return, but he continued to clean up the outside. We left and went back to our room. Perhaps they’re experiencing a staff shortage like many businesses? There were a couple of other service issues, but I believe I’ve made the point. We both found it disappointing when you’re paying to stay at a high-end hotel.

I will start off by saying this property is extremely clean, beautiful, updated, and the staff was friendly. I was a bit disappointed though, we originally paid close to $500 for a night to stay here. We got there at 4pm and our room wasn't ready yet. After a long day of swimming and boating on the lake this was a bit disappointing (especially since we had evening plans and wanted to shower and get ready). When we finally got into our room there were no tissues and no conditioner (the room was very clean and everything else was great). We asked the front desk if those issues could be addressed and they said they would (but came back and weren't). We left Bemus Point early to try and enjoy the hotel amenities, but found that the fire pits weren't lit, the pools/hot tub were shut down at 10 pm (that was understandable, but disappointing since we had a delayed check in), the outside bar was closed, and there was no one hanging out at the inside bar. This property could really be something! I don't think their summer rates are in line with the experience. I will say the staff in the morning gave us some money off for the issues we had without me asking for compensation, so that was good! I really think this property can have a better guest experience for the price they are charging with some help!

Our stay was extremely disappointing from the moment we checked into our room. It was obvious that the room had not been properly cleaned. The duvet cover had visible stains, the floor was dirty with food debris and hair, and there was toothpaste residue left in the bathroom sink. We brought these concerns to the manager's attention and politely requested that he inspect the room. Unfortunately, instead of addressing the issue professionally, he was dismissive and rude, making us feel as though our concerns were an inconvenience rather than a legitimate problem. To make matters worse, most of the staff we encountered were unfriendly and unwelcoming. The only bright spot during our stay was the bartender, who was pleasant, attentive, and provided excellent service. Cleanliness and customer service are the basics of hospitality, and this hotel fell well short in both areas. Based on our experience, I would not recommend staying here.