We have mixed reviews of our stay last night at the Cook Mansion. First off... we had to second guess ourselves when driving in. The home itself is quite lovely and stately. However, there was no attention to detail with weed filled borders and no flowers or mums in the lovely urns gracing the front (unused) entrance.
Our host Kris was very welcoming and gracious...Quite a conversationalist and made us feel at home. The interior of the home, had large common rooms, and was clean. It is in desperate need of area rugs, more furniture, wall decor, flowers... anything to add warmth.
The room in which we stayed had a comfortable bed and huge bathroom. Both very clean. However, staying at more B & B's than we can count, we were disappointed with the following:
1- A HUGE black plastic bag covered the waste can in our bathroom. I know that sounds petty, but we're in a B & B...not a Motel 6. There was no floor mat when exiting the shower so egress was onto the linoleum.
2- The windows were not only painted shut, but nailed shut. So, no fresh air. (Kris did provide a fan for our use). Most importantly there was no speedy escape route if there was (God forbid) a fire outside in the hall. (Fellow guess we met at breakfasts verbalized the same concern(s).
3- Breakfast was quite disappointing. Scrambled eggs, hash browns and Canadian bacon. All served in chafing dishes in the new, large kitchen. Again... this is fine, however, in a B & B, the breakfast is usually a looked forward to 'event'. Numerous boxes of Entemann's pastries were also available. Plastic utensils were set out, along with plastic cups for juice. Even though there was real silverware, glasses, etc., plastic was set out. Serving ourselves was perfectly fine, there was just no attention to detail. Large containers of sugar, powdered cream, etc., were set on the counters instead of lovely servers. It's the little things that make a B & B.
So, all that being said we will not return. Although it is clean, right next to the lovely falls and within minutes of Watkins Glen. read more