By Emma Barhydt
The Saratoga Arms charms and embraces its guests with remarkable attention to detail, quality, personalized comfort, and a remarkable knowledge of Saratoga Springs. Home to Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs is an unusual mix of artsy college town, upscale suburb, and historic importance that work perfectly together.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Saratoga Springs, look no further than the Saratoga Arms. Located right in the heart of Saratoga Springs on Broadway, the Saratoga Arms has the best of town right outside your door. You can see the vibrancy of Saratoga Springs from their front porch, where you can enjoy spectacular breakfasts in the morning, or coffee and tea anytime.
Before you even arrive, you’re made to feel welcome. Soon after you book your stay, you receive a text message from your Guest Experience Manager welcoming you and asking if you would like them to book you dinner reservations at any local restaurants.
Closer to my arrival, I received another text asking me to fill out an arrival survey. Would I like extra towels? What size would I prefer for my bathrobe? Did I have anything special that I needed? Would I like extra hangers or pillows? The inn then prepares your room exactly the way you like it before your arrival so you can relax and enjoy yourself right away.
Upon my arrival, the first thing I was told about was the snack bar filled with granola bars, water, sodas, mini charcuterie snacks and unbelievable house made chocolate chip cookies (the chef’s special recipe includes potato chips in homage to the fact that they were invented in this area). Help yourself anytime throughout your stay…it’s complimentary. And there is always tea available.
After checking in, you’re welcomed by your perfectly prepared room, set to your specifications in the survey and then some. A welcoming note, the temperature preset to your specifications, Saratoga Springs sparling water waiting for you in the mini fridge and lavender bath bombs near the tub. Clean, fresh, spacious.
My first evening was bright and unusually warm, the early November air held no chill, so I was able to sit for a while on the porch watching students from Skidmore, shoppers, and visitors enjoying the unusually perfect weather.
After my respite on the porch, I headed back inside to see the workout facilities. Though the facilities were small, they had everything you would want. My next stop was the dining room and snack area to grab a cookie. This is where I ran into the owner of the Saratoga Arms who bought the Saratoga Arms over 25 years ago. We talked for almost an hour about Saratoga Springs and what a truly remarkable place it is.
Something pleasantly surprising was that almost everything I checked was made in New York or in the United States. The dining room was filled with tables she had made especially in the Adirondacks so that they work as tables for parties of four, or can be connected to create a conference table for up to twenty people.
Once back in my room and settled, I set up my computer on the desk complete with a charging station, and took a quick shower. The bathroom was roomy, the water was instantly hot and the water pressure was very good.
After meandering the three quick blocks back to the inn from my dinner reservation, I climbed into bed. The bed was very comfortable, piled high with cozy bedding and resplendent pillows. I fell asleep quickly. It was very quiet.
I enjoyed a leisurely morning, deciding to avail myself of breakfast on the porch. I could have chosen room service, or the dining room but the weather was so wonderful that most guests, including myself, chose the porch. There is a card they give you the day previous to select your breakfast options, so everything is ready for you when you wake the next morning. Which meant waiting for me on the porch was hot coffee and my meal, a perfectly cooked traditional eggs benedict. Fresh squeezed orange juice came minutes later.
After my sumptuous breakfast, I headed out to check out a local used book store my nephew, a student at Skidmore, informed me that I could not miss. The walk to the bookstore was only about four blocks but there were many delightful distractions along the way.
Street artists were doing portraits of people and dogs, there were small markets, authentic shops of all kinds including leather working and pure Irish wool sweaters, and the Cooperstown brewery. The prices were terrific, and all I could think about was Christmas shopping. The used book store was worth the trip all by itself. When you visit Saratoga, do not miss this treasure. I bought so many books that I had to retrieve my car.
Back at the inn for my final evening, I borrowed a deck of cards from the plethora of games the inn has to offer guests and played a few hands of solitaire before settling back in my room to get some work done – easy to do in the quiet surroundings.
The Saratoga Arms Inn elevates your typical experience by adding personalized touches at every corner. So much so that it feels like staying at home– but way, way better. The Stanton House Inn is a member of Select Registry, a diverse collection of independent, boutique properties delivering a level of personalized service unheard of at hotel chains and a quality of experience only a select few independent properties can attain. Each is authentic, and staffed by people who love to take great care of you. As a young woman I felt beyond safe, I felt welcomed. You can only access the Inn with a key card or by being let in, so you never have to worry about safety.
With holidays on the horizon, gifting a stay at the Saratoga Arms Inn will make you the best gift giver; or maybe you need a holiday from your holiday in which case choose the Saratoga Arms, you’ll leave refreshed and relaxed.
