It's rare that I'm dazzled by a hotel or feel that it's worth the money (they're all stupid…read moreexpensive these days), but Harbor Hotel was a wonderful experience I'd recommend to anyone. Don't get me wrong, it's expensive. But for once I felt like I'd gotten my money's worth!
Everything everywhere was meticulously clean and well-kept. Our room was spacious and bright, with a private balcony and chairs, a couch and coffee table, and a full table that allowed us to take comfortable advantage of the room service breakfast. Potpourri sachets in the closet, free water bottles in the lobby, free coffee stations on each floor, and chocolates every night on the pillows--details, people! We also enjoyed the indoor pool and hot tub, and of course the gorgeous patio and firepits overlooking the lake which was 80% of the reason we booked here. All of the staff we encountered, from the front desk to the housekeepers, were very friendly. I did think it was a little strange that the fitness center was in a whole different building and you have to walk across the parking lot to get to it, but hey--you get your steps in.
The hotel is also very centrally located. On the water, of course, but next door to Seneca Harbor Station from which you can book lake cruises. It's also less than a mile from the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park and hiking trails and only a 5-10 minute walk from most restaurants. We did most things on foot. When you do get back in the car, there are multiple wineries within a 15-minute drive.
The only problem the whole visit was the hotel internet, which was terrible every day. You could make do in the daytime, but at night, when everyone was back in their rooms after the day out exploring, it was slow to the point of unusable, and I ended up turning on my data hotspot to even be able to check my email. I would not suggest bringing time-sensitive work with you, and you should not expect to be able to stream videos on your devices. Just disconnect, you'll be less frustrated.
There is an onsite restaurant and bar, and while it's nothing mind-blowing, it is a nice option to have (and is one of the few "higher end" type places in Watkins Glen). Menu includes a few of the standard local wines, which was nice!