Harbor Hill Inn & Cottages

My wife and I usually stay in cabins when we go to an area that is known for outdoor activities. We understand that there are bugs, dirt, and other things to contend with when staying in a cabin. However, this place just doesn't even care about guest comfort, at all. When we arrived Friday evening, no one was even around; they left an envelope with brochures and a list of instructions. Getting down to the cabin was difficult too. There are no marked parking spots, no lights, and no direction on paths down to the cabins. We get to the cabin and read the list of instructions, it contained directions for the hot tub and how to prep the cabin when you leave. Yeah, that's right, a chore list for when you check out. We check out our accommodations, and it's a quaint cabin, but the furniture is trash. As someone else wrote, the bed is like a rock. We actually drove an hour to get air mattresses, because the bed was horrible and the pullout couch smelled terrible and looks like it was purchased from a thrift store 15 years ago. The sheets smelled and the place wasn't very clean.The shower is small, no big deal. But the shower head, they can't even bother to have a proper shower head. I've seen prison movies and that's the type of shower head that was in our shower. Ok, we will just have a nice soak in the hot tub and relax. Nope! The hot tub will work for about 1 min and then shut off. Ok, so no big deal, we will just wake up and enjoy the beautiful view that is shown on the website. Ha! The cabin overlooks a busy highway that has loud traffic until late at night. Further you can't even see the lake because the trees and brush are so overgrown. No one has bothered to trim them so you can enjoy the view they claim they have. There is a for sale sign on the property and I see why. I think if they put some thought in to it, they could overcome the traffic issue by making the stay exceptional. Its apparent, though, they just don't care about any of it. Don't waste your money.

We are having an awesome time in the Adirondacks. We have dined at a French bistro and the food was fabulous. We have gone hiking and sightseeing. Our tiny rental cottage has a couple of wood adirondack chairs and we sit there in the early morning sipping hot drinks, contemplating the coming day, and enjoying the resident duck that paddles across the lake to greet us. No, we don't feed the duck. Later we pull out kayaks and take to the water. It's called Flower Lake for a good reason -- there are patches of lily pads with large creamy flowers floating here and there on the surface of the lake. You sort of have to watch out for the crazy speed boats -- one swamped me today with the 30-somethings who should know better laughing maniacally as they swept past. 99.9% of motor boaters are courteous and slow down as they go past you. The days have been cloudless and blue, and the weather has been delightful. What a perfect time of the year to enjoy a peaceful vacation! We have had a couple of minor tics with the cottage, so I don't give it a five-star for that reason. We met the resort manager as a result of one of the tics, and he is simply adorable. Overall, the cottage is as cute as a bug. The kitchen is adequate for cooking although it will not have all the bells and whistles you might have at your home unless you bring them. We brought our small portable cappuccino machine with us and enjoy our usual morning brew. This is a spectacularly beautiful part of the world and I am so glad we have discovered it. Lake Placid is just down the road, with sophisticated shopping for those so inclined. Me? We just wanted to pick up some fun T-shirts to bring back home, and every time we wear them we will remember how much we enjoyed our vacation.