Name: The Spencer Hotel & Spa
Address: 25 Palestine Ave, Chautauqua, NY 14722, USA, Chautauqua, Chautauqua, Chautauqua, NY 14722, United States of America
Rating: 7

Air conditioning

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Heating

Gift shop

Terrace

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Bridal suite

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

VIP room amenities

Rooms

Accessibility features

Accessibility

Laundry

Concierge services

Dry-cleaning

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Bottled water

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

Bike rental

Hiking

Fishing

Recreation

Parking

Swimming pool

Pool and beach

Fax and copy machine

Meeting and presentation facilities

Business

Cycling

Sports

Massage

Sauna

Beauty and wellness

Playroom

Kids

Skiing

Winter sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the resort

Jamestown Airport

The Spencer Hotel & Spa

Chautauqua

Helen and Dick were absolutely wonderful hosts. Took my girlfriend up there for the weekend and we were the only guests because of the off season. The Spencer is very quaint and charming and has a wonderful location near Chautauqua Lake and the Chautauqua Institution. Their attentiveness to the packages that I ordered was perfect and you can tell they truly care about the satisfaction of their guests and wanting to get to know them and treat them like family members. The eggs benedict and the muffins were outstanding. While it could use a few updates, overall it is a wonderful bed and breakfast that has an old time charm and they make you feel at home.

Wonderful Weekend

We just returned from a 4 night stay at the Spencer to view the solar eclipse.  As a "hotel" I give it one star because "hotels" have a higher expected service level, but as a "B&B"  two will do because I expect less from a "B&B."  Shabby but artful decor, pleasant and conversational owner(Helen), tiny outdated room but with a good bed, and absent room attention by staff except emptying wastebasket daily are included at $200 (normal rate?) to $500 dollars a day (days around eclipse).  I am the fool here, but I did not know just how disappointing our experience would be.  Especially disappointing is that breakfast is scheduled at 9 but served at 9:30 - too late for people who have things to do, making me wonder if this is a cost cutting strategy.  Dick (related to Helen) did make coffee at 7:30 daily after I made the request.  The one day we had breakfast it consisted, according to staff, of the same food from the previous two days, a tiny serving of reheated egg-cheese strata or a tiny serving of soggy "stuffed French toast" with blueberry pie filling poured on top, no fresh fruit, no juice, no pastry.   An extra cost fondue event was very skimpy, poorly presented,  disappointing, and started late.  We never got fresh towels, and had to use the same damp ones day after day.  The location within the Chautauqua Institution is unique.  "Spencer Hotel and Spa" is a grand title for this faded B&B, and we looked around for the spa, but could not find it.  Work more; talk less; and make your hotel a good place to stay is my advice for the Spencer.   I believe that our experience is exactly " who we are in the past or the future," to quote previous review responses.  We plan never to return.

This B&B could be great, but it's not

What a special place! My friend and I traveled to Chautauqua for the eclipse and felt so lucky to have discovered this hotel (and Chautauqua itself!). This is a hotel with genuine character, clearly run (and maybe owned?) by a small group that really cares. When I accidentally broke something in the room, they could not have been more accommodating and understanding. They were lovely about my friend and I being able to return to the lobby for bathroom and water access even after we'd checked out. A few other things about the stay...breakfast is included and was delicious. There are nooks and crannies with interesting things to look at everywhere. The room was sunny and comfortable. And the price was very reasonable, especially considering that they were in the path of totality and could have probably charged much more!

Beautiful spot, great people

We just experienced a once in a lifetime early April stay at the Spencer Hotel due to the solar eclipse. Our lovely host, Helen, along with her husband, afforded us a glimpse into the magic that is Chautauqua. The Spencer Hotel transended us into a space that reflects the interfaith and humanitarian mission statement. The ambience that Helen has created for over 40 years is reflected in the author themed suites with hand painted walls that illuminate the author’s  imaginative books. Our particular room was dedicated to C.S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia series which was uniquely appointed with a wardrobe that allows the guest to enter the fantasy that an artist has illustrated and hand painted on the walls. The location is nestled in the heart of town, steps away from the amphitheater, a short walk to the Chautauqua Institute and all the amenities that surround it. Our breakfast was artistically crafted and gently served by Helen herself. If you’re looking for a magical stay in Chautauqua, then the Spencer Hotel is our suggestion.

Humble elegance

I had booked a two-week stay at the Spencer, because it was the only accommodation available for the weeks I wanted. My stay was so terrible that I left after one week -- and their new manager, who was fired shortly afterward, agreed to refund me the second week because she saw how horrible the conditions were. (The owner then refused to actually give me the refund for the longest time, and I had to dispute the charge with my credit card company. She finally relented, and I got my money back.)

But I digress. I don't know where to start with this inn. It was grand in its day, yes, and could be again. But it is very outdated, and needs significant capital improvements, which the owner clearly refuses to undertake. For example: there are two faucets in the bathroom sink, one for cold water and one for hot, so you can't adjust the temperature. When I arrived, there was a problem with my hot water faucet, which was never fixed (although a housekeeper did barge in with a plumber one day without knocking because she "thought" I was out.) I did have cold water, though, and had to be content with that for a week.

There was no shower in my "suite," only a claw foot tub. There was no shower curtain, and only a hand-held shower head. So you had to hold the shower head with one hand while soaping with the other, and trying not to get water on the walls or the floor. Another guest on a lower floor told me there was a lot of water damage on her bathroom ceiling. I can see why.

The tiny "kitchen" -- stuck in a narrow hallway outside the bathroom -- had no dish soap or sponge, and only two mugs and two plates. There was a microwave and a mini fridge, but preparing any kind of food was impossible.

The elevator was a relic from the 1940s, maybe -- there was an accordion door you had to close yourself, and if you didn't, the elevator wouldn't work. So if someone accidentally left that door open and you were on the fourth floor, you were stuck -- the elevator wasn't coming.

I could go on and on. I paid over $350/night for this room, and it wasn't worth a quarter of that. Many other guests who were there that week had similarly horrible experiences, but there were some old-timers who have been coming year after year who still loved it. But if you have any choice in the matter, do yourself a favor and stay anywhere else but here!!!

Highest price, lowest quality accommodation at Chautauqua

Loved the Themed rooms and the sitting porches. Especially enjoyed talking to the hosts and learning the History of the hotel and Chatauqua. The hotel is a very short walk to the amphitheater and activities in the village.

Lovely Period Hotel and Hosts

Let's just say - they have a good photographer and post compelling photos on their website.

On the plus side, you can't beat the location. It's a few buildings down from the Amphitheater, so you can enjoy the evening symphony easily from the porch or terrace. Also, the entire staff was kind and helpful. They really tried to accommodate the guests, but there was this sense that these gals were quite fearful of screwing up.

On the downside, the room was straightened up, but it didn't feel clean - especially post-pandemic clean. The room we stayed in had 1-1/2 bathrooms - both very small with no room to hold personal belongings. The shower experience was no better than you'd find at a campground. The amenities were cheap and never replenished, so we ended up buying shampoo, conditioner, and body wash at the plaza store.

The floor wasn't level, evidenced by our roller bags rolling around on their own. The bed was way too soft and uncomfortable. There was no airflow in the room and there was no way to control the air conditioning. The windows were permanently shut.

Despite the Spencer's charm and history, we won't be staying here again.

It was not what we expected

Lovely place to stay! My mom and I enjoyed a long Labor Day weekend. It was charming, quiet, beautifully decorated with a homey feel, and a delicious breakfast. The Chautauqua Institute grounds are unique...its like stepping back in time! And, its just a short walk from the beautiful Chautauqua Lake! The hosts of The Spencer Hotel are sweet and accommodating! Loved it, will make this an annual trip!

Friendly, quiet, pretty, & clean accomodations!

This is a traditional Chautauqua Institution bed and breakfast. It is quaint and quirky. It is family owned and the are friendly and very accommodating. The beds were very comfortable. We we on the fourth floor. It was like being tree-top. It is feet from the amphitheater. 

Quaint and Quirky

What a wonderful experience!   Helen is such a treat and cares so much for her guests.   I sat on the porch in the morning to finish my writing and then again in the evening to listen to Mavis Staples and Trombone Shorty!   When I'd had enough, I slipped into my comfortable room.    Breakfast - made by Helen two of three mornings - included eggs and blueberry French toast one morning and a yogurt parfait, eggs, and bread pudding another morning.   The staff was kind and accommodating as well.

The Spencer Hotel & Spa

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