Where to stay in Hamilton

HSN · 04-06-2007, 08:47 PM

I'm planning on escorting my D to accepted student days next week. We didn't love the Colgate Inn last time we were there. She'll probably be in a dorm, but I'm looking for somewhere else close by but a bit nicer, actually cleaner. I'm not being a snob, there were blood stains on the mattresses. Any recomendations?

danalynne · 04-06-2007, 09:18 PM

Try the Guesthouse at Weathervane Farm. It is one of the nicest B&B's we have ever stayed in. We have been there twice and will be staying there for accepted students day. Reserve fast as the rooms go fast. Wonderful owners. It is right on the golf course and a two minute drive to the admissions office. Rooms are more than $150 per night.

HSN · 04-06-2007, 09:42 PM

Thanks, I was looking at that one on line. Nice to hear another recomendation, I'll definitely contact them right away as I know there are few rooms.

TheOneCurlyFry · 04-07-2007, 03:53 AM

...blood stains? Wow.

mhc48 · 04-07-2007, 09:46 PM

Admitted students days is what convinced my daughter to attend. And she absolutely loves it.

Slightly further and cheaper (@$75/night) is the very presentable, clean Howard Johnson's in Norwich, a half hour south, down Rt 12. I've been staying there whenever I come up for a visit since my daughter began a year and a half ago.

Half an hour isn't much and it gives you a chance to see the "world" up there. If your daughter does attend in the fall, the Walmart and other shopping to set up her room is nearby.

N.E.MomOf3 · 04-07-2007, 10:09 PM

We've never had any such experience as you had at the Colgate Inn over the last four years. I hope you complained to the management--I don't know why you'd have had unclean linens like that (bloodstains on the mattressES??--people don't normally take their beds apart in a hotel to see what kind of condition the mattress is in underneath the sheets and mattress pad--that isn't what you did, is it?).

We have always enjoyed the atmosphere at the Inn, and it has always been clean. The rooms are a little underfurnished, IMO, but that's been my only complaint.

The Wendt University Inn is the only other actual hotel in town; it's new in the last couple of years and we've never stayed there. We like the location of the Colgate Inn better.

The other direction to go is up to the southern outskirts of Utica--e.g., New Hartford, etc., or Utica itself. There are a number of places to choose from.

HSN · 04-08-2007, 12:27 AM

Okay, I wasn't exact. The blood stains were on the mattress pad. Also, the curtains were thread bare and falling apart. And the beds were really uncomfortable, and I'm not comparing them to the Four Seasons. The lobby and restaurant downstairs was very nice, though.

gellino · 04-08-2007, 01:00 PM

Where is the Wendt University Inn located?

jrpar · 04-08-2007, 02:36 PM

It's on Route 12B just outside town - it's not an "Inn" though - it's a two story motel. Right now it is new and clean (it just opened a year and half ago) and a decent place to stay. We've stayed there a couple of times. I prefer to stay at the Colgate Inn because you can walk around town and you can eat right there, but I agree that the Colgate Inn is getting to the point where it could use a little sprucing up (again).

zilong · 04-08-2007, 05:10 PM

My parents and I stayed at Wendt when we visited a month or two ago, and it was pretty nice.

momstl4 · 04-16-2007, 02:05 AM

Colgate Inn is great for the convenience! The lobby is very nice, good food, the rooms could use a little updating, but clean and comfortable.

Papa Chicken · 04-16-2007, 12:33 PM

stayed at Wendt last week for AVD....new & clean, not much charm but one is not paying much....walls were a bit thin though from a neighboring TV noise standpoint. I'd stay there again.

I also stayed at the Colgate Inn last summer...much more country inn charm plus there's food service....pricier though with poor availability during peak parent visit times I'm told.

jrpar · 04-16-2007, 12:55 PM

Papa Chicken, if you want to stay at the Colgate Inn for graduation, make a reservation now! (seriously).

Papa Chicken · 04-16-2007, 01:00 PM

jrpar-- I already asked! Reservations can only be made (at least thats what they told me, a lowly prospie parent) one year in advance to the day. I was also told by a parent of a soph that its near impossible to get reservations for busy Univerisity times even adhering to that year out scheduling because visiting dignitaries seem to be given preference. If S ends up at Colgate, I'm planning on getting to like the Wendt.

jrpar · 04-16-2007, 02:06 PM

-Hmmm, a couple of years ago the Colgate Inn let us make reservations when we found out my son was accepted ED. They must have changed their policy. It is very difficult to get reservations at the Colgate Inn on busy weekends (parents visiting day, etc.); the Wendt has been a good fallback for us. There are some nice B&B options too.